The MGB by MG was a sports car for the masses. It enabled the average car enthusiast to get themselves behind the wheel of a sports car, without having to sell their house.
Introduced in 1962, MGBs rolled off the production lines in huge numbers. Over half a million units made their way onto our roads around the world, and nearly three hundred thousand of these landed in North America. Perhaps due to the huge supply, the MGB is sometimes seen as commonplace and therefore less desirable. Don't let this put you off, though. There's a reason they sold in such high numbers – it's a cracking little car.
The MGB Offers Good Old-Fashioned Fun
Whether you pick the roadster or the GT, the MGB is exactly what you would want a classic sports car to be. It has beautifully retro styling, a suitable engine with plenty of character, and it provides a wonderfully analogue experience. Modern motoring can often insulate you from your senses, particularly in electric cars. We're increasingly far removed from the event of driving.
In the MGB, however, nearly all of your senses get activated. As you're rolling down the street, you hear the peppy engine note coming from under the hood, and the burbling soundtrack from the exhaust. You undoubtedly smell the gas, the oil, and the materials that make up the interior (sometimes the scent is so strong you feel like you can taste it). The touch points in the interior, such as the thin–rimmed steering wheel, the gear knob and the plush leather seats, will transport you back in time with their natural wood and leather finishes. Similarly, as you look around the cabin and out over the hood, you feel every bit the distinguished classic car connoisseur.
Although a V8 was an option, most MGBs came with a 1.8-liter unit, putting out just shy of 100 hp and 115 lb-ft of torque. While that's not going to help the MGB register any land speed records, they were good numbers for the 1960s. As production continued, emissions regulations choked the MGB and power figures decreased. But don't worry, there's ample performance available from the MGB, and it can be a lot more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. You can drive the MGB almost flat out everywhere and still be on the right side of the law. The miles per hour might never get particularly high, but the smiles per hour will be through the roof.
The Best Way Onto The Classic Car Ladder
If you've always wanted to take the first step into the world of classic car ownership, you could do a lot worse than buying an MGB. Many classic sports cars are very raw, uncomfortable, and temperamental. The MGB is a far more friendly vehicle. The interior is relatively spacious and comfortable, especially when compared with competitors. MG also designed the MGB to be a capable grand tourer. The healthy torque output, long gearing and surprising legroom all attest to this.
The MGB is well-suited to regular use. Many cars from this era will need attention before every single drive, whereas the MGB is happy to be at your service at all times. One of the real bugbears of classic car owners is the unreliability of their vehicles. All classic cars break down from time to time. We are a bit spoiled with the nearly perfect reliability records of modern cars. The MGB is relatively dependable in comparison and provides a much less stressful ownership experience.
Values of many cars of this vintage are spiraling out of control, and out of reach of most. The MGB remains an affordable choice, with prices varying depending on model year and condition. Early roadsters in showroom condition can set you back up to $30k, but later models of both the roadster and GT are available for under $10k.
The MGB Will Keep The Gentleman Mechanic Busy But Satisfied
If you like to get your hands oily and enjoy turning spanners on your pride and joy, the MGB will give you lots to work on, but none of it is too complicated (or too expensive). All the spare parts are quite cheap and plentiful. There is even a decent amount of 'new old stock' items, from carpets and door handles to engine components. Other classic car owners are often found pulling their hair out when a part fails. If they are lucky enough to find a replacement, it'll often cost a small fortune.
In the engine bay, you'll only need a small selection of tools to maintain the MGB's B-series, and owners have spoken about how simple and satisfying they are to work on. Having a classic car is one thing, but keeping it on the road by yourself is beyond rewarding.
Get Lost In The Simple Charm Of The MGB
The little MGB is full of style and cheeky charm. Classic car ownership should be about getting out and driving, and enjoying your passion, not distressing over why your car is never fit to leave the garage. The MGB is the perfect antidote to these worries. Even if it breaks, it's affordable and straightforward to mend. If you want to go the extra mile and don a flat cap and a tweed blazer, you will be every bit the '60s British driver, and you'll get plenty of attention wherever the road takes you.
Sources: Hemmings, Hagerty, Classic Car Journal