The MGB GT V8 Sports activities Automobile

A evaluate of The MGB GT V8 Sports activities Automobile, overlaying growth, essential options, and technical information of this the eighth mannequin within the new MG vary.On this Article, I supply a nostalgic take a look at the MGB GT V8, one in all an elite group of traditional vehicles, which was manufactured throughout the interval 1973 to 1976.Within the latter a part of the 1960’s, a lot of sports activities automobile makers have been experimenting with the concept of including a big engine to a small automobile.On the forefront of this pattern was the AC Cobra and, to a lesser extent, the Sunbeam Tiger.Within the UK, the prevailing small sports activities vehicles with their equally small engines have been out of contact with the main export markets.The primary fashions to attempt to break the mould have been the Triumph GT6 and MGC, however each failed.Ken Costello, a effectively revered personal entrepreneur, realised the potential of including a bigger engine to the MGB.Actually, the automobile was initially designed to make use of a V4 engine, which was bigger than the B-Sequence unit lastly chosen.Within the early 1970’s, he was efficiently advertising and marketing some 200 MGB convertibles and GT’s with a 157 bhp model of the Rover V8 engine, and at a premium to the promoting worth of the later MG manufacturing mannequin.MG subsequently requested him to supply a prototype MGB GT V8 sports activities automobile utilizing the Rover three.5 litre V8 engine which that they had just lately developed.He modified this engine to supply a unit that developed a formidable 180 bhp. Nevertheless, previous to the ultimate launch of the brand new MGB, the availability of Rover V8 engines to him was withdrawn (to stop competitors).

In 1968, with the appearance of British Leyland, MG determined to suit another engine into the MGB in response to the errors made with the MGC.They’d the selection of two completely different V8 engines – the Rover three.5 litre unit, and Triumph’s personal three litre unit as used within the Triumph Stag.Nevertheless, the latter engine was beset with technical issues, similar to heads that tended to warp on account of incorrect head gaskets that restricted the circulation of water, so resulting in overheating.Alternatively, the Rover engine efficiently powered a lot of vehicles, such because the Land Rover and Morgan Plus eight. Actually, it was initially fitted to the Rover P5B three.5 litre saloon automobile, again in 1967.Moreover, it was determined to include this engine solely in a hard and fast head coupe model.The explanation behind this was that, because the US was seen because the principal export market, the appearance of their stringent emission and security rules might end result within the demise of the convertible.One more reason was that fastened head coupes have been typically perceived as being extra elegant than the corresponding convertible.Nevertheless, to be used in efficiency vehicles, the unique V8 engine would want modifications to strengthen the block, along with additional enhancements.Because the Rover V8 engine used an aluminium block and cylinder heads, it truly weighed lower than the metal B-Sequence unit used within the MGB.The automobile’s engine bay might simply accommodate the Rover unit with out the numerous chassis modification obligatory when the massive three litre, 6-cylinder engine was added to supply the MGC.The end result was that the presence of the V8 engine didn’t, in any means, adversely have an effect on the dealing with traits of the automobile, as was the case with the MGC.Nevertheless, MG determined much less extremely tuned model than that produced by Ken Costello could be acceptable.The ultimate model that was utilized in manufacturing developed 137 bhp at 5000 rpm and 193 lb/ft of torque, and two SU carburettors have been added.It has been steered that the explanation the corporate selected a Rover engine with a decrease compression ratio and a correspondingly decrease 137 bhp output was to create, for advertising and marketing functions, a separation between the brand new MGB and the costlier Triumph Stag.In 1973, the MGB GT V8 sports activities automobile was launched.The principle criticism on the launch was that each it and the usual MGB BT have been too alike, externally, particularly because the new automobile value extra.No left-hand drive fashions of the MGB GT V8 have been ever constructed for export to the US.British Leyland indicated that manufacturing capability could be inadequate to fulfill the extra necessities of the US market.Another clarification was that BL administration was involved that the brand new MGB would draw consideration away from different fashions being produced, particularly the three litre, V8 engined Triumph Stag.

The truth that the brand new automobile needed to be withdrawn prematurely was linked to it being launched throughout the worldwide gas disaster of 1973, which was the loss of life knell for a lot of massive engined vehicles.Sadly, the MGB GT V8 sports activities automobile was no exception, because it returned solely 20 mpg.Moreover, since Rover didn’t supply the V8 engine in a variant that glad US emission rules, this precluded it from export to the US, an important and obligatory market.Initially, the brand new automobile was effectively acquired by the motoring press within the UK however, by 1976, and the introduction of black polyurethane security bumpers, gross sales plummeted.Actually, in 1976 when manufacturing ended, solely 176 of the vehicles have been constructed.This marked the tip of the MGB GT V8Perhaps this stroll down reminiscence lane may need answered, or not less than make clear, a doable query:Which MG Sports activities Automobile is Your Favorite?Nevertheless, ought to this query nonetheless stay unanswered, I will likely be reviewing, in some element, in future articles inside this web site, the complete vary of MG sports activities vehicles which have been featured within the memorable period spanning 1924 to 1995.I hope you be a part of me in my nostalgic travels “down sports car memory lane”.