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October 19, 1965 – MGB GT goes on sale
19Oct By Automotive HistoryNo Comments
This Day

October 19, 1965 – MGB GT goes on sale

MG released the unitary construction MGB in 1962, replacing the seven year old MGA. While it didn't feature the traditional body and frame assembly of its predecessor, the two cars did share many components. The brakes and suspension are traced to the MGA, while the four cylinder B-Series engine dates to the late 1940s. The MGB essentially wrapped company highlights of the of the past 15 years into a slim new package. MG achieved real design innovation on this day in 1965 with the release of the MGB GT for the next model year. The MG MGB GT offered a new cabin design by Pininfarina that combined the utility of a station wagon with the sportiness of a hatchback. The 2+2 seating increased capacity by two compared to its roadster sibling. While the GT was slightly slower off the line ...
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April 12, 1888 – Cecil Kimber, founder of MG, in born
12Apr By Automotive HistoryNo Comments
This Day

April 12, 1888 – Cecil Kimber, founder of MG, in born

On this day in 1888 Cecil Kimber was born in London to Henry and Fanny Kimber. In 1928 he would be responsible for the founding of MG, though his interest in automobiles was preceded by a love of motorcycles. Following a riding accident, he took to four wheel vehicles, first purchasing a 10 hp Singer in 1913. A year later he took a job with Sheffield-Simplex, a British car and motorcycle maker, as assistant to the chief designer. Above: The author's VW powered 1952 MG TD kit car. Top: This 1925 MG, with Cecil at the wheel, is dubbed Old Number One, but it wasn’t the first MG produced, but the first manufactured specifically for racing competition. It made its debut at the 1925 Lands End Trial. After bouncing around with a few different automakers he landed a long term position ...
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September 20, 1962 – The MGB goes to press
20Sep By Automotive HistoryNo Comments
This Day

September 20, 1962 – The MGB goes to press

Just three years after introducing the MGA, the folks at MG began work on its replacement. That fact alone makes it seem a bit miraculous that the MGB, which was first publicized on this day in 1962, would remain in production for 18 years following its release.  Above: MGC GT - By M 93. Top: 1965 MGB to FiA Appendix K Specification with period race modifications By Drussellwilks-CC BY-SA 3.0 Aside from the limited V8 versions of the car, all MGBs received the BMC B-Series engine. With its 95 hp, the sports car could achieve a 0-60 mph time of just over 11 seconds and a top speed of 107 mph. With a lightweight unitary structure the little car had plenty of get up and go.  1994 MG RV8 - By Vauxford - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0 Numerous versions of the MGB were releas...
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December 7, 1979 – The Last MG Midget
7Dec By Automotive HistoryNo Comments
This Day

December 7, 1979 – The Last MG Midget

On this day in 1979 the final MG Midget rolled off the assembly line. The car was first introduced in 1961 as a more spendy badge-engineered Austin-Healey Sprite. It had identical mechanicals as the Sprite, but in 1962 the 948cc engine was upgraded to 1098cc. The car would go through various changes until production seized. There were 73,899 of the final generation Midget produced, with the last 500 for the home market being painted black.
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