Splendid pictures ; especially the MG sports , just the day for an open top . Could it be the V8 version which really is a wolf in sheep’s clothing type of car ? Great for a Sunday afternoon tour .
Doubtful. Although there were V8 models of the MGB produced, none were made in a left-hand drive version. The V8 engine, supposedly designed by GM for compact Buicks, was used in other British Leyland vehicles, including the Rover 3500. I had one of those for a few years. It was a very fast car, but it had those awful looking hood scoops. I haven't seen an MG or a Rover sedan for ages, but Range Rovers are as common as Mercedes. I did see, several years ago, a long wheelbase Land-Rover with a V8. Seeing an old Land-Rover was so rare, that I searched for the owner and talked to him for a while, otherwise I wouldn't have known it had a V8. The four-cylinder models would struggle to go faster than about 50, if you weren't going downhill.
Later production MGBs had a bulge for the V8 but not the early ones. However, the MGC had a bulge for the straight-six engine. A number of British cars had straight-six engines during that period, which was a sort of golden era for British cars. Even the most famous (probably) British sports car of that period, the E-type, usually called an XK-E, had a straight-six. There was even a six-cylinder Land-Rover for a while. All of these engines were different, although General Motors used different engines for each of their divisions for a long time.
Those English sports cars of that era we coveted. We loved the XK-E and the earlier “Jags” with the beautiful sloping fenders. Then of course, there was Ferrari. A gent on my paper route had a 12 cylinder model, jet black. I’ll never forget the few rides gave me on the Wilbur Cross, to show me “what the car is capable of.”
I love the MG! I lusted over one my senior year in HS. Our local auto dealer had a used one, dark green convertible. It sold before I was able to save enough money to purchase it. Another question: I’ve been driving Volvos most of my adult life and love them. I thought I’d finally found “my” car. My current one is the V70 cross country. I love everything inside the cabin but I wonder if I’m the only one who misses the look of the older, boxy Volvos? I just wondered if anyone else missed the look of the 1980-90’s Cross Country’s. The car aficionados in my family don’t agree with me. Am I alone in this?
Editor, Salt Water New England - The Definitive Guide to The Thing Before Preppy, since 2010. Co-founder, Short Sims. From a 12th Generation New Englander.
Splendid pictures ; especially the MG sports , just the day for an open top . Could it be the V8 version which really is a wolf in sheep’s clothing type of car ? Great for a Sunday afternoon tour .
ReplyDeleteDoubtful. Although there were V8 models of the MGB produced, none were made in a left-hand drive version. The V8 engine, supposedly designed by GM for compact Buicks, was used in other British Leyland vehicles, including the Rover 3500. I had one of those for a few years. It was a very fast car, but it had those awful looking hood scoops. I haven't seen an MG or a Rover sedan for ages, but Range Rovers are as common as Mercedes. I did see, several years ago, a long wheelbase Land-Rover with a V8. Seeing an old Land-Rover was so rare, that I searched for the owner and talked to him for a while, otherwise I wouldn't have known it had a V8. The four-cylinder models would struggle to go faster than about 50, if you weren't going downhill.
DeleteIt isn’t a V8 l don’t think as from memory the V8’s had a bulge in the bonnet to accommodate the engine
DeleteLater production MGBs had a bulge for the V8 but not the early ones. However, the MGC had a bulge for the straight-six engine. A number of British cars had straight-six engines during that period, which was a sort of golden era for British cars. Even the most famous (probably) British sports car of that period, the E-type, usually called an XK-E, had a straight-six. There was even a six-cylinder Land-Rover for a while. All of these engines were different, although General Motors used different engines for each of their divisions for a long time.
DeleteAnyway, that's when cars were interesting.
Those English sports cars of that era we coveted. We loved the XK-E and the earlier “Jags” with the beautiful sloping fenders. Then of course, there was Ferrari. A gent on my paper route had a 12 cylinder model, jet black. I’ll never forget the few rides gave me on the Wilbur Cross, to show me
Delete“what the car is capable of.”
Sheer perfection! Thank you so very much!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful
ReplyDeleteThat is some lovely work.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Muffy.
Spring approacheth.
ReplyDeleteThe last photo shows an MG model TD made between 1950-1952, the first MG sent to the USA with the steering wheel on the left.
ReplyDeleteI love the MG! I lusted over one my senior year in HS. Our local auto dealer had a used one, dark green convertible. It sold before I was able to save enough money to purchase it.
ReplyDeleteAnother question: I’ve been driving Volvos most of my adult life and love them. I thought I’d finally found “my” car. My current one is the V70 cross country. I love everything inside the cabin but I wonder if I’m the only one who misses the look of the older, boxy Volvos? I just wondered if anyone else missed the look of the 1980-90’s Cross Country’s. The car aficionados in my family don’t agree with me. Am I alone in this?
I love the old Volvo boxy wagons. I just bought a 2009 wagon recently. Ialways wanted one and now I do!
ReplyDelete