Page 47 - Wayne Carini's Guide to Affordable Classics

Restricted for sale to the home market, the MGB GT V8 represents one of the most desirable variants built, particularly since fewer than 2,600 examples were sold before production ended in 1976.
the styling or provide more luxurious equipment to offset the increased purchase price, condemning the vehicle to scramble for customers.
Formally announced in August 1973, the MGB GT V8 was restricted for sale to the home market, due to reasons of internal politics and an inability to comply with federal standards given the money on hand. Predictably, given the age of the underlying platform and the fact that it shared its appearance with the standard GT, it was accorded a mixed reception. The overwhelming majority of examples were built during the first year of production, with demand falling sharply thereafter, totaling only 2,591 units before it was withdrawn in May 1976.
The Dowager Countess
With new American pollution and safety rules in place, MGBs sold in 1975 were fitted with cylinder heads modified to run on unleaded
Although many purists have criticized the appearance of
the ‘rubber bumper’ models, they modernized the vehicle’s appearance and are still available at bargain prices, making them ideal sports cars to enter the hobby with. The vehicle shown here is the last MGB LE built at Abingdon and is currently located at the British Sports Car Hall of Fame.
MG MGB & MGC
fuel and at a lower compression ratio, with catalytic converters and additional smog equipment that reduced output to 62.5 bhp at 5,000 rpm. To meet the five mph bumper requirement, black polyurethane reaction-molded skins were added front and rear, adding significant weight and an additional five inches in overall length to the car. In order to meet bumper height requirements, the body was raised on its springs about three inches, making these cars look like candidates for the Baja 1000.
To address the porcine road manners resulting from the increased ride height, Abingdon introduced a new handling package in June 1976, consisting of front and rear anti-roll bars, and a lower- geared steering rack, restoring some of the dexterity lost in recent years. The internal gear ratios were also modified at the same time to restore some acceleration and improve fuel economy, but this was a half-measure that did little to ameliorate the effects of the reduced horsepower available to tote around the extra weight that the car had gained in meeting American safety standards.
By late 1979, following the end of Midget production, the MGB was the only remaining vehicle built at Abingdon, making it little surprise when the decision was made to close the storied facility that fall. With 523,836 examples built, the MGB was the best-selling sports car of the 20th Century and remains fondly remembered today.
THE DRIVE
Given its long production life, there is an MGB available to suit every taste. The earliest cars are undoubtedly the prettiest and most valuable, while the chrome-bumper models (especially in GT form) that followed make the best daily drivers, thanks in large part to the reliable five main bearing 18GB engine that was introduced in 1964 and synchromesh transmissions that arrived in 1968. But the best value of the lot may be the later cars, rubber bumpers and all, since these combine practicality and value in ways unmatched by almost any other British sports car.
Wayne Carini  Affordable Classics  45