1968 MGB V8 'Improved' Roadster

Description

The evergreen MGB is the most popular sports car ever made in Britain and still has tremendous appeal today. As an affordable, practical and thoroughly enjoyable two-seater the 'B' is without peer and for many pundits, the last proper sports car to wear the Octagon badge. With plenty of punch available from the 95 bhp 1.8-litre engine and safe, predictable handling thanks to well-sorted suspension, the MGB utilised monocoque construction techniques for the first time, adding much needed stiffness to the chassis. Lockheed disc brakes up front made for safe braking and BMC ensured the cars built to a high standard to safeguard crucial export markets like America. The B-series motor underwent some modifications in September 1964 with a five bearing crankshaft, while a fixed-head variant, the MGB GT, was added the following year. More significant changes took place in October 1967, with the adoption of an all-synchro gearbox (plus the option of an auto 'box for the first time) and improved electrics, most notably an alternator replacing the dynamo found on earlier cars. Further changes were necessitated by new safety legislation, including a collapsible steering column and padded dashboard. Dubbed the Mark II, the 1967-1973 MGBs arguably offer the best all-round package, retaining all the purity of the original design with a more enjoyable (not to mention reliable) driving experience. In the search for more power, MG also offered a six-cylinder version, the MGC, from 1967 but the weight penalty blunted any performance advantage and in the meantime, tuners like Ken Costello were turning out faster, better handling V8 conversions. MG themselves turned to Rover's small block, alloy V8 and the resultant MGB V8 was enthusiastically received by the motoring press and public alike when launched in 1973. In all its various iterations, the MGB was an unqualified success, with over half a million sold over an eighteen year production run and today there are numerous clubs and specialists around the world to provide invaluable support for the owner.