Early MGBs are a joy; RBB late cars are a travesty and to be avoided.
PS - keep an eye out for the MGC - they can be a lot of fun!
Photograph by David S. Wallens
More than 60 years after its introduction, the MGB still ticks a lot of boxes: simple, robust, attractive and capable of putting a smile on your face.
Plus, it remains a value buy.
An early car–from the model’s 1962 introduction through 1967–generally tops our $10,000 threshold due to its metal dash and other simpler interior details, but a 1968-’73 MGB in No. 3 condition should cost about $9500.
Any of these chrome-bumper MGBs make for a great choice, as they’re welcome at almost any type of event. Show it, take it out for ice cream, cruise around the neighborhood.
The so-called rubber-bumper cars, introduced partway through 1974 in an effort to meet the day’s crash standards, fetch less money, but they trade away those classic early looks.
MG made more than half a million MGBs during the model’s 1962-’80 run–nearly 400,000 open cars and about 125,000 GT models. This led to the existence of a huge knowledge base plus lots of parts support–both original replacements and aftermarket upgrades.
[MGB GT: Buy one now? | Buyer's Guide]
The unibody construction provides a pleasant, rattle-free driving experience. Performance from the 1.8-liter engine–figure nearly a hundred horsepower–is adequate but not mind-numbing. It came backed by a smooth-shifting, four-speed transmission with an optional overdrive.
Heard tales of issues due to Lucas electronics? Blame broke kids who bought these cars many, many years ago.
Though the car was underrated and unloved for years, there’s still a reason MG sold more than half a million units. At some point, the world is going to wake up and rediscover the classic beauty and charm of a chrome-bumper MGB.
Early MGBs are a joy; RBB late cars are a travesty and to be avoided.
PS - keep an eye out for the MGC - they can be a lot of fun!
In reply to wspohn :
I drove the green rubber-bumper MGB in the video. It had the back-dated carb and lowered ride height. That did help a bit.
I worked in a bike shop in middle school. The owner had an MGC. Or maybe his brother did. Someone there had one....
The MGC had poorly chosen suspension set up in stock form but with a few basic mods they could handle quite well. With a bit of porting, a mild cam and some suspension work, it turned into a much better car (c. 170 bhp) and top speed c. 130 mph. They will never have the lighter more agile feel of an MGB, though.
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