Background
Location: Abingdon, Year: 1958, Codename: MG EX205 - this is when the development of the MGB Roadster started. It has a unitary structure as opposed to the traditional body on frame construction used on the MGA and the MG T-type. It wasn't until 4 years later in 1962 that the British Motor Corporation BMC started to market the MGB and finally offered it to purchase in 1963.
The Engine used in the MGB was the BMC B-series engine, which was the previous MGA’s 1600cc engine that had been taken out to 1800cc. Originally, the early cars had a three main bearing crankshaft which was changed to five bearing in 1974. Fueled by twin SU carburettors the power output of both the three and five bearing engines was 95bhp at 5,400 rpm, with the torque at 110 ft-lb torque. This gave the MGB a 0-60 mph of just over 11 seconds.
Early cars up until 1968 used a four-speed manual gearbox with a straight-cut first gear, no synchromesh and optional overdrive. From 1968 onwards, the gearbox used was that of the unit designed to handle the three-litre power from the MGC and therefore was over engineered when coupled to the MGB B-series engine.
Production for the Roadster continued up until 1980, with the main change in the latter part of 1974 when the introduction of rubber bumpers came into force to meet impact regulations. Luckily, the one we have here is a 1973 and so retains the more classic look of the chrome bumpers.







