The MG Roadster Down The Years
MG’s have always been a favourite sports car of mine. Down the years some models have stood out above others. Following on from the PB Midget came the TA. This MG was introduced in 1936. Using a push-rod engine developed from the Wolseley Ten it made it a faster car than its predecessor. The TA was a lightweight car and could reach up to 80mph, on a good day at least and as long as it did not breakdown. The engine was a 1,292cc over head valve model producing 50 bhp at 4,500 rpm.
This model was also well liked because it gave more legroom and was slightly larger all around as the chassis had a 94 inch wheelbase. The MG TA was fitted with Lockheed 9 inch hydraulic brakes which was an improvement, as well as the actual ride it gave. This was far more comfortable due to the introduction of hydraulic dampers in front while maintaining the traditional semi-elliptical springing all around.
MG K Type
Before the TA was the MG K type which had engines based on the Wolseley overhead cam engine. These were slightly smaller than the the F-Type Magna hence it became the MGK Magnetta. This is a much loved classic sports car and many enthusiast believe the best ever made. The K-type MG was fitted with a six-cylinder 1,087cc engine (reduced from 1272 cc) with triple SU carburettors and Wilson pre-select gearbox. The engine produced 39 bhp at 5500 rpm.
The K3 was the racing model and only 33 models were ever produced. Several then replicas have been made, often adapted from the K1 and K2 series fitted with custom exhaust systems and manifolds. The K3 attracted the big racing names of the day with Capt. George Eyston and Count Lurani winning the Mille Miglia in 1933 driving at 56.9mph.
That victory was supported by two other Magnettas, all sponsored by Earl Howe. Sir Tim Birkin was the driver of the early pace making car while Howe and Hamilton finished a creditable second, only 90 seconds behind. So prestigious is the Mille Miglia in Brescia that it was attended by the King, the British Ambassador and Benito Mussolini himself. Later Tazio Nuvolari won the Ulster RAC Tourist Trophy (TT) at an average speed of 78.65 mph
MGA Roadster
Moving forward now to 1055. This year saw the introduction of the MGA. The first year of production saw 13,000 cars sold with a total of 58,750 being built during its lifetime. This very popular car sported twin semi-downdraught SU carburettors and had 68bhp at 5500rpm on the earlier models increasing to 72bhp at the same rpm later on. The top speed was 98mph, reaching 60mph in 15.6 seconds. The half-elliptic sprung rear axle was taken from the ZA Magnetta while the independent coil spring and wishbone front suspension system was derived from the MG TF.
MGB Roadster
The MGB replaced the MGA which was immediately popular and became the number one selling sports car. The MGB started life as a soft top which was quickly followed by the GT and GT V8 versions. The 100hp came from its 1800cc 4 cylinder engine which made 0-60 in 11 seconds. This was very fast in 1962. The MGB was produced until 1980 when the last of all the 513,276 MGBs rolled off the production line at Abingdon.
The hard top version of the MGB was the MGB GT. This was introduced in 1965 and had better handling and higher top speed than the standard MGB due its more rigid chassis, improved aerodynamics and an engine bore of 80.26mm x 88.9mm giving 95bhp at 5400rpm with 110 lb/ft of torque at 3000rpm. The MGB GT V8 was far more powerful with top speed of 125mph and capable of 0-60 in 8 seconds.
I have made exhaust systems for all these MG Roadster models and still get asked to do so today.
