The MGB was the most successful British sports car of all time, selling more than half a million examples over a production life of eighteen years. It has always represented fun driving at realistic prices, and remains well within reach of the average motorist today. The complete story of the B is set firmly in the context of the MG company’s eventful history, and there are new insights into the personalities and politics behind the development of Britain’s most popular sports car. Contains numerous specially-commissioned photographs, technical analyses, driving impressions and practical information on buying and owning a MGB.
About the Author:
Brian Laban has been writing about cars, the motor industry and motor sport for more than forty years, for magazines, newspapers, broadcast and online content. He has written around forty books, edited several magazines and worked with many car manufacturers and race teams. He is a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers, and member (and former chairman) of the Fleet Street Group of Motoring Writers.
Dudley Pike grew up with MGs: he, his father and two brothers all worked in the MG factory. This is the story of Dudley’s 45 years in the motor industry, from his apprenticeship at the MG works in Abingdon, progressing to the preparation of rally cars, moving on to the retail trade, and finally returning to the manufacturers.
Dudley enjoyed his life in the industry, and here he shares some of his experiences during his apprenticeship and within the Competitions Department of BMC/BL, giving the reader inside experience of what it was like preparing the cars for a very successful rally team.
Adapting to work in the retail trade, after the closure of the Competitions Department, Dudley maintains he was always in the right place at the right time, with one notable exception when he spent the night in jail.
In the wake of the demise of the MG Midget and MGB, there seemed little prospect for the MG badge beyond being used as a kind of ‘GTi’ badge for various Austins and Rovers. However, thanks to the determination of a few people – and an enduring affection in public hearts – the tale has had a happier ending. This is the story of that journey – from desolation to rebirth, just like the phoenix from which the project that created the MGF took its name.
Not only is this book the definitive work because Wilson McComb was on the inside at MG for a decade, it is doubly so because the author knew exactly how a complex story such as this should be researched and told. Osprey are proud to have employed the talents of a comparable expert.. From Cecil Kimber and the Bullnose MGs of the 1920s, to the thirties Midgets, the Magnettes, the TCs, the MGA, MGB, even the Metro and Maestro, every twist in the tale was followed by Wilson McComb, with an intimate knowledge not only of machinery but also of men, those who created the marque, some who abused it. There are not many more interesting automotive stories than that of the Octagon to be told, and MG will be one of the few British marques to make it into the 21st century.
2nd hand hard cover, GOOD condition, published 1990
The MGB was the most successful British sports car of all time, selling more than half a million examples over a production life of eighteen years. It has always represented fun driving at realistic prices, and remains well within reach of the average motorist today. The complete story of the B is set firmly in the context of the MG company’s eventful history, and there are new insights into the personalities and politics behind the development of Britain’s most popular sports car. Contains numerous specially-commissioned photographs, technical analyses, driving impressions and practical information on buying and owning a MGB.