Used MGB For Sale

Today, spotting an MGB for sale in the US is a rare occasion, and it's a thrilling moment for the automotive enthusiast or collector. Launched by MG Cars in 1962 as a replacement for the MGA, the MGB was a sports car that never achieved the popularity during its day that it likely deserved. On the other hand, the vehicle has received a great deal of recognition as a classic, and during a brief revival in the 1990s.

During the 1960s, MG Cars changed hands twice due to restructuring of the British motor industry. British Motor Corporation owned MG Cars when they launched the MGB for sale in 1962. British Motor Holdings took control in 1966, and British Leyland ran the company from 1968. This industry upheaval during the model's early years played a role in the MBG's underexposure. However, it did experience pockets of success outside of the UK. MG Cars sold it sporadically in the US and throughout Western Europe, and it even made a brief showing in Australia based on car kits shipped in from England.

The first MGBs were exclusively convertible roadsters, but by 1965, MG Cars added the coupe MGB for sale, a hatchbacked GT model with 2+2 seating, a style often called the shooting-brake. MG Cars included 4-cylinder engines in both offerings, but a derivative model called the MGC featured a six-cylinder motor. From 1973 to 1976, MG Cars sold the MGB GT V8, essentially the MGC fitted with an ex-Buick Rover V8 engine.

In design of the MGB, MG Cars utilized a monocoque structure. Monocoque is a construction technique that makes use of an object's exterior to support structural load rather than the internal frame that is traditionally used. This technique allowed MG Cars to develop a roadster that was substantially lighter than like models of the time were.

This weight contributed to performance that was unusual for a 4-cylinder in those days. The engine, which produced 95 horsepower at 5,400 rpm, allowed the MGB to reach 0-60 mph in just under 11 seconds, and it had the superior handling to match that impressive output. During the 1970s, strict US emission standards forced MG Cars to detune the MGB in order to comply. Therefore, models sold in the US underperformed these marks, but one could achieve the performance with slight adjustment.

One important aspect of automotive history often overlooked when discussing the MGB was MG Cars use of crumple zones. Crumple zones are a structural feature of automobiles designed to compress during impact and thus absorb deformation energy. Although the modern consumer takes crumple zones for granted, the MGB was one of the first cars in the world to employ them. Deficient by today's standards, the MGB's crumple zones was able to protect a passenger in a 30 mph impact with an immovable barrier.

Not including the 1990s revival RV8 model manufactured by Rover, MG Cars manufactured and sold slightly more than one-half million units throughout the world. Collectors should note that the revival models have less than 5% parts compatibility with the original MGB. Therefore, they are a difficult car to possess due to the rarity of the parts. Automotive historians estimate that one-third of all MGBs manufactured remain today, which amounts to approximately 150,000 worldwide. This explains why they are so hard to find, and why they can be so pricy when one does manage to find an MGB for sale.

Looking for a Used MGB For Sale? Use the #1 Trusted source online; LemonFree.com Used Cars For Sale.