MG Midget MKIII 1275cc.

El MGB (MG Type B), is a car brand MG (Morris Garages) manufactured from 1962 to 1980 and decreased in four successive versions: MK1, MK2, MK3 and MK4. Often considered the archetype of the roadster with English. Also it was produced with a body type of " cut " the MGB GT.

History

Produced for the first time as the only form of the roadster, which will also be available starting in 1965 in the coupe version called "GT". The greatest commercial success of the brand, which is produced close to 500 000 units until the 1980's (close to 350,000 roadsters and coupes to 150,000), the date of his disappearance.

Four successive sets of MGB were built:

• The MGB Mk I, equipped with an engine of 1.8 litres in three levels;
• The MGB Mk II, equipped with the engine displacement, but equivalent to five levels;
• The MGB Mk III, similar to the above but with different finishes (grille, taillights);
• The MGB Mk IV, fitted with rubber bumpers and suspension high (in order to comply with the rules applicable in matters of collision avoidance in the united States as of may 1974);
• MGB V8 was produced for the first time by a trainer independent, Costello, and MG version of court .

A six-cylinder engine of 3-liter engine version, called "GC" is also produced as a successor to the Austin-Healey 3000 MK3 in the group BLMC but not reached the expected success. It is distinguished externally by the model B did his boss hood necessary to accommodate the six-cylinder engine.

Aesthetically, the history of the MGB is divided into two parts:

• 1962-1974: the model is not known for more than just minor modifications, such as adding bumpers or slightly different calenders butts: the "pull the handle" handles the first models are giving way to models more conventional, etc ..

• 1975-1980: the period that many consider the end of the "real" MGB. The group British Leyland, which took over MG since 1969, complies with the new safety and environmental regulations of the united States (including California) are going to make this prominent bumper of polyurethane increases the ground clearance of three inches and "clean" the engine from the car. The line you have to load with these additions and the engine loses power, some version of the united States has just produced 69 horsepower DIN 95 against the first models. exchange rate issues (the suspension of the convertibility of the dollar / gold from 1971) condemned all modes the car in its market favorite. It is estimated that more than half of the MGB ever produced were exported to the united States.

The MGB has long been the most-produced convertible in the world before being dethroned by the convertible Mazda MX-5 . During the 1990s , the MG RV8, a new version of the roadster with a V8 4L was produced by Rover then owner of the brand and manufacturing of dies, it will be built around 2 000 copies.