1979 MG MGB MKIV

The MGB replaced the MGA in 1962 and would remain in production for 18 years. The MKII was introduced in 1967 and brought a superior manual gearbox with revised ratios and synchromesh on all gears, as well as the option of a Borg-Warner automatic unit. Rostyle wheels replaced the previous pressed steel version in 1969.

A fixed-roof MGB GT was introduced in October of 1965. Production would continue until 1980, although export to the United States ceased in 1974. The MGB GT had a design courtesy of Pininfarina and launched the sporty 'hatchback' style. It had a sloping rear window with the rear deck lid, and offered the utility of a station wagon while retaining the shape and style of a coupe. The interior offered a 2+2 seating configuration with a right-angled rear bench seat. The luggage space was much larger than in the roadster. Mechanically, the MGB GT was similar to its MGB sibling, although the MGB GT did receive different suspension springs and anti-roll bars, and a different windscreen. The acceleration of the GT was slightly slower than that of the Roadster due to its increased weight. With better aerodynamics, the GT had a higher top speed by 5 mph to 105 mph.

The six-cylinder MGC debuted in 1967; a later derivative fitted with the Buick-based Rover V8 was made from 1973 to 1976.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2017