1964 MG MGB

The MGB is a two-door sports car manufactured and marketed from 1962 until 1980 by the British Motor Corporation (BMC), later the Austin-Morris division of British Leyland, as a four-cylinder, soft-top sports car. It was announced and its details were first published on 19 September 1962. Variants include the MGB GT three-door 2+2 coup (1965 to 1980), the six-cylinder sports car and coup MGC (1967 to 69), and the eight-cylinder 2+2 coup, the MGB GT V8 (1973 to 76). Replacing the MGA in 1962, production of the MGB and its variants continued until 1980. Sales for the MGB, MGC, and MGB GT V8 combined totaled 523,836 cars. After a 12-year hiatus, the MGB re-entered production as the heavily modified MG RV8 with a limited run of 2,000 cars before finally being replaced Development of the MGB started at least as early as 1958 with the prototype known by its Abingdon codename; MG EX205. In structure the car was a progressive, modern design in 1962, using a unitary structure, instead of the traditional body-on-frame construction used on both the MGA and MG T-types and the MGBs rival, the Triumph TR series.5 #fn5 However, components such as brakes and suspension were developments of the earlier 1955 MGA, with the B-Series engine having its origins in 1947. The lightweight design reduced manufacturing costs while adding to overall vehicle strength. Wind-up windows were standard, and a comfortable drivers compartment offered plenty of legroom. A parcel shelf was fitted behind the seats.