1967 MGB

Anne-Maree Doolan

MGB History

The MGB was manufactured and marketed from 1962 until 1980. It was announced and its details first published on 19 September 1962. It replaced the MGA in 1962, production of the MGB and its variants totaled 523,836 cars sold. They were built in Abington, England.

Development of the MGB started at least as early as 1958. The car was a modern design in 1962, using a unitary structure, instead of the traditional chassis and body style of the MGA and the Triumph competition. Brakes and suspension carried over from the MGA, as did the B-Series engine that was now almost 1800cc.

The MGB could do 0–60 mph (97 km/h) time of just over 11 seconds. The engine produced 95 h.p. (71 kW) at 5,400 rpm.

The car was assembled in Australia from 1963 to 1972, with about 9,000 sold. The cars were assembled from complete knock down kits shipped out from England and were all roadsters.

Anne-Maree’s 1967 MGB, “Emily”.

 

Upon release Autocar felt that the MGB was ‘a step forward in that the car was faster than the previous model, and yet more docile and comfortable’. The magazine added that ‘from any angle it looks good … and it should be as big a success at home markets as it will be abroad’.

Motor reviewed the MGB and thought ‘there is in fact almost every modern saloon car amenity except for a back seat and courtesy switches to operate the map reading light when the door is opened’. ‘Raising and lowering the hood was however, a slow process’.

Graham Robson in “The Illustrated Directory of Classic Cars” states that prior to about 1970, the MGB was the world’s best-selling sports car. He acknowledged that race-prepared cars could go very fast and figured in endurance racing such as the Le Mans 24 Hour Race. Indeed, I even remember one competing in the 1968 London to Sydney Marathon.

In “The Classic Car Book. A Definitive Visual History”, the MGB is described as rugged, reliable and long-legged. It was seen as perfectly proportioned, and truly a practical enthusiast’s car.

Pedigree

There is something truly unique and an absolute pleasure about driving spiritedly an open-top sports car. The British did this so well and almost had a mortgage on the pedigree. The MGs were joined with their main competition, the Triumphs and Austin Healeys, in continuing this pedigree until the due to legislation, especially in the United States, there was need for change. While it lasted, in the swinging sixties, the MGB was the quintessential car for the time. What is more, they can still be enjoyed and driven ‘in the way they were intended’ in our car clubs supported by historic and classic registration.

Anne-Maree’s Car

Anne-Maree’s car is a 1967 transition model with some features of 1967 and some of 1968. It has the 1967 overdrive gearbox with no synchromesh on first gear, the 1967 spinners on its painted wire wheels, but the reversing lights of 1968. 1315 MGBs were sold in Australia in 1967. It was purchased by her late partner, Les, in the early 2000s from Newcastle. Les, having just sold a big bike, wanted something a little sporty.

Anne-Maree drives her MGB “Emily” occasionally. It has ventured out on Maitland Classic Motor Association runs and tours. It ran faultlessly on our first Tour of Tasmania in 2010, our Tour of the Riverina in 2012, and our Long Weekend Run to Carcoar in 2011.

Anne-Maree’s MGB lives in a household with some fine British company. ‘Emily’ shares the shed with Ian’s Rover P6B, his Triumph Dolomite Sprint, a Jaguar Sovereign 4.2 and a Jaguar Sovereign V12.

There have been no major re-builds, just some maintenance and tuning. Some accessories and modifications for safety and comfort have been made including a CD player, wood-rimmed Moto Lita steering wheel, inertia-reel seat belts, a hardtop, a roll bar and a luggage rack on the boot lid. It is very reliable and has only one sensitivity – it needs fresh fuel.

Anne-Maree Doolan

April, 2020