IDRIVEACLASSIC reviews: 70s MGB Roadster

Today's videos is sponsored by Adrian Flux

Today's drive is a gorgeous MGB Roadster from 1971 belonging to the IDAC regular guest, Kevin Hirst.

For those hard of hearing, you can follow with the text below!
The MGB is instantly recognisable as one of those cars people call a ‘proper classic’. It was made between 1962 and 1980, although it was only available as a roadster until 1965 when the MGB GT was released.

The MGB was the replacement for the MGA and interestingly it was designed largely by Don Hayter as a car to fit a growing market: the affordable sports car.

The MGB was originally sold with chrome bumpers, but like many cars of the 50s and 60s, it was modified to meet the legal requirements of the American market, hence the changeover to rubber bumpers.

For those of you interested in cars changing over to meet American regulations, another good example is the Morris Minor switching from lowlight to highlight to meet criteria at the time.

The bumpers weren’t the only thing changed for US market, as the heightened suspension raised the headlight height to ensure it met those guidelines too.

At launch, the MGB was fitted with the BMC B-Series engine, which we’ve talked about in previous videos like the Morris Minor and Austin Cambridge videos. It was a popular engine for the time and for those not familiar, it’s a straight 4 engine producing 95bhp with an estimated fuel consumption of 25mpg.

However in 1967, MG introduced the MGC. This was available in roadster and GT configuration and featured the larger 2.9l C series 6 cylinder which was capable of 0-60 in 10 seconds and a top speed of 120mph.

Following on from this, in 1973, the MGB was available with 3.5l Rover V8 and this was available until 1976 - although you did lose fuel economy and this only generated a rather low 20mpg.

Transmission on these between 62 and 67 was a 4 speed manual box with a straight cut, non synchro first gear. Overdrive was an optional extra. This was carried over from the MGA but with some upgrades and changes to cope with the additional output of the B series engine. In 68, the box became fully synchro - based on the MGC. A three speed auto was offered, but wasn’t a popular choice.

Different grilles were used throughout the lifespan of the MGB, from the chrome slatted grille featuring the MG octagon, to the less desirable fish mouth recessed grille to the honeycomb grille. All the cars between 1962 and 1974 can be changed about - but anything post 74 rubber bumper era will not fit the earlier grilles on a straight swap.

Wheels on these, again, changed throughout production. Earlier cars had either wire wheels or hub capped and later MGBs sported British Leyland Rostyle wheels which were fitted until end of production in 1980.

And finally if you pick an MGB, you’ll be in the company of many celebs who picked one too including Sting, Richard Hammond, Prince Charles who had an MGC which he has given to Prince William, Bill Wyman, George Best and one of my favourite actresses, the fabulous Joanna Lumley.

Now I’m going to hand over to my friend Kev who will tell you a little about his MGB. If you watch IDRIVEACLASSIC regularly, it won’t be a new face!

[DavidMFranks]

OMG OMG - my very first car. I absolutely loved it. Same colour, BRG. Wow, such nostalgia!

[rogerbarton]

This is one car I've always wanted, they look ageless.

[jonnycando]

Where I grew up in Virginia there was a British Leyland dealer that had among other brands, MG….I lusted after them…..

[Topshaman-pkrx]

Lovely to see the MGB. My first car was an MG Midget, but then followed by two MGBs. Love them.

[andreaabout]

Wow, love the old MGs. The classic sports car! Great video as always. Thank you.

[keithjones]

A proper classic, indeed! Made in the time when you were proud to own a British car. Who'd of thought a couple of bumpers could make such a difference in appearance, but those rubber bumpers!☹️Such a beautiful car, either hard or soft top.

[johnjtm]

I really love the MGB. Watching the video, I really felt like I was sat in the passenger seat at the side of you Steph. And the sound of the engine, wow! A car that puts the "Great" into Great Britain.

[markonmotoring]

Another car I wish I'd bought a few years ago when they were still dirt cheep.
Even the rubber bumper models seem to have gone up in value. Those early cars with the wire wheels and origional dash look way cooler though. They always did look a little bit like a working man's E type. I bet when you drive one you feel like someone else from a different time.
A very cool and once under appreciated classic sports car.

[jamescrainjr]

that is probably the most common British car that I saw here in the states back in the day. always
liked them, although they looked tiny on US roads! anyway great video hun. Kev is a first class
car guy by the way. your videos are always top drawer Steph!

[johnd]

Good insight into the car.
Lots of styling features in common with the super expensive Ferrari California from about 1960. Especially the rear and the headlight treatment on base models.
Same Pininfarina stylist.

[gord]

I rather fancy an MGB GT – sporty, good looking and sensible in equal proportions. Thank you for showing us around this very honest little roadster. :-)

[huguesgillet]

Hi ! I love this car. A great UK classics. I've got the same in my 1/43 scale collection. British racing green 🤗

[jamesgibson]

Amazing video as always Steph, a proper seat of the pants motoring.

[seancooke]

Oh Steph, my absolute favourite the MGB Roadster. My wife hired me a 1975 Rubber Bumper MGB for our 25th Wedding Anniversary. I absolutely completely loved every minute of that weekend. This could only be Kev's car because it has electronic ignition, better cooling and overdrive. Tina the Marina is obviously in safe loving hands. Oh this Sunday morning has just become so sunny. The B Series is the best, built to last and well able to keep up with modern traffic. I'm afraid the 1975 one had Minilites and I loved the look with the rubber bumpers.
Don't worry Kev, I was madly in love with Purdey's MGB as well. 😉😉

[davelinkson]

Went down to Italy in 1973 with my brother in a 66 roadster that performed really well I now own a 72 BGT..

[stevehadfield]

If I remember rightly my mates mgb original steering wheel was a fair bit bigger than that after market one on this car, which could go some way to explaining the heavy steering. Nice to see you back on cars from the classic era of motoring.

[darrensmith]

Nice one Steph (: Yes those rubber bumpers are bloody heavy, i used to work at a place that restored MG s and VW Beatles and believe me its a 2 person job to lift one off the car!

[HQBProductions]

Well...I helped restore one in 1987/88 and that was a 1969 BGT in Mineral Blue YPE 691G. That puts me off though because the rust was horrendous and most you cannot see....the rust you CAN see is easy but the sill internals are likely to have dissolved years ago. It is a nice car but never again!! 😱😃😃😃

[Pmjs]

Always loved the MGA, MGB&Austin Healey 3000.

[volvo]

I only drove through the Yorkshire Dales once in summer, when covered in snow they look magical.