Can any MGB on Earth go above 55 mph?
Discussion
as with all classics the main problem with MGBs is the previous and present owners
it's worrying to see B owners on here (Darren, tut) put that their cars can't easily and safely travel at the NSL
and Darren you flatter these B owners travelling home from a ("only if it's not raining") show at 55mph that would be a reasonable speed on many roads and only just below NSL for the best roads
but I'm glad many of them keep off the roads most of the time, for the last 6 months we've been out about the excellent countryside roads of Northamptonshire nearly every weekend for at least one day of each weekend, in the dry! and sun!! with the roof down having some roads almost to ourselves, last year during what was the worst winter for decades we were out in the dry and the sun with the roof down, for at least one day of each weekend 12 weeks out of 22
because of this and because I use my car as a daily I know what my car is capable of and how to drive it to, I normally try to overtake MGBs in pairs otherwise it's too easy even in my Midget
but now the road could get jammed with SORNers, fair weather drivers and riders (motorbikes, cyclists, horses) many of who don't know their vehicle fully or how to drive and ride fully including the dreaded MGBs pottering around on old fuel and tyres in cars that lack the full maintenance and driver experience
all my classics including two MGBs were capable and driven at NSL
(also it's a stupid thing to do to say you drive above the NSL especially on the internet)
ETA: drivers can take their cars at whatever speed they want, within the law, slow or faster but it would be nice if the slower drivers were aware of other traffic behind them, if someone wants to go faster than me, I sometimes potter too, I'm very happy for them to overtake when possible
and hopefully no one is seriously suggesting any sort of racing on public roads or comparing willy sizes in any way
I don't mind a follicle count against the average MGB driver though
it's worrying to see B owners on here (Darren, tut) put that their cars can't easily and safely travel at the NSL
and Darren you flatter these B owners travelling home from a ("only if it's not raining") show at 55mph that would be a reasonable speed on many roads and only just below NSL for the best roads
but I'm glad many of them keep off the roads most of the time, for the last 6 months we've been out about the excellent countryside roads of Northamptonshire nearly every weekend for at least one day of each weekend, in the dry! and sun!! with the roof down having some roads almost to ourselves, last year during what was the worst winter for decades we were out in the dry and the sun with the roof down, for at least one day of each weekend 12 weeks out of 22
because of this and because I use my car as a daily I know what my car is capable of and how to drive it to, I normally try to overtake MGBs in pairs otherwise it's too easy even in my Midget
but now the road could get jammed with SORNers, fair weather drivers and riders (motorbikes, cyclists, horses) many of who don't know their vehicle fully or how to drive and ride fully including the dreaded MGBs pottering around on old fuel and tyres in cars that lack the full maintenance and driver experience
all my classics including two MGBs were capable and driven at NSL
(also it's a stupid thing to do to say you drive above the NSL especially on the internet)
ETA: drivers can take their cars at whatever speed they want, within the law, slow or faster but it would be nice if the slower drivers were aware of other traffic behind them, if someone wants to go faster than me, I sometimes potter too, I'm very happy for them to overtake when possible
and hopefully no one is seriously suggesting any sort of racing on public roads or comparing willy sizes in any way
I don't mind a follicle count against the average MGB driver though
Edited by nta16 on Monday 7th April 01:31
chad valley said:
Breadvan72 said:
It's that time of year when the MGBs are out and about once more. Has anyone, honestly, ever seen one on a motorway or dual carriageway going faster than 55 mph in the inside lane? I even had one wave at me as I went past at [what was that you said, Officer?] mph in me Lancia the other day, the cheeky get. Yesterday I had the great pleasure of watching two Central Casting BBC lesbians in a Morris Minor convertible overtaking a standard issue MGB bloke. Oh well, diff'rent strokes and all that. Happy summer, classic car nerdz!
Are you 14 years old?
williredale said:
I've had mine (GT) at 0.9 leptons which was very noisy and slightly scary. I also overtake in it and try to surprise people in the traffic light grand prix.
I'm not doing this right am I?
Tut! The chap from the Club will be around later to collect your hat, badge, and novelty mug. I'm not doing this right am I?
bstark said:
I know what you mean but, yes, the chap who used to sprint race his 300bhp V8 MGBGT in the same series as me a few years back didn't hang around. He could get round Lydden Hill in the same time as my Caterham...
Was that the dark green one with the Sebring flared arch kit on it.....?If so, it sounds like the same guy I used to sprint against back in the early 90's.
That was a very well sorted V8 B.
However, having driven a few standard BGT's back in the day when they were new/almost new.......I wouldn't want to drive one much above 55mph on a m/way
Economists have recently been re examining traditional theories of market behaviour, which are arguably flawed because they posit that humans make rational choices, but, of course they don't, and hoorah for that. After all, classic car ownership is arguably not strictly rational, unless the car is a sure fire investment winner, and relatively few are, but classic cars press other buttons.
There are understandable reasons why the MGB became the UR-classic car of the 80s and beyond (they look pretty, they can be made to sound good, they can be modified fairly easily, there are lots of them, an industry developed to match, and you can show your edgy individuality by having the same classic car as all the other edgy individualists have*); but one of the odd things about the phenomenon is that the cars were, as made (not as modified), not very good to drive even by the standards of the time.
I suppose that when looking to buy new you had little choice, as the (much better) TRs and GT6s and Sunbeams were more expensive, the (much better) Midgets and Spitfires were too small, Vitesses had too many seats, and the (much, much better) European small sports cars and Lotuses were a lot more expensive and regarded as exotic and fallible.
The marketing and sales teams of the time did well, and in pure business terms a product that lasted so long with so few changes and such little development expenditure (ending its life not much better and possibly worse than when it began) was a winner; and the success has continued beyond the grave by supporting an industry.
The point about the inside lane types is that most well looked after cars of the 60s to late 70/early 80s should be able to operate fairly normally in modern traffic, but I get the impression that many a boggo MGB is driven as though it was a precious heirloom, the last one in all the world, and that's just silly.
* See also the modern and modern ish VW scene
There are understandable reasons why the MGB became the UR-classic car of the 80s and beyond (they look pretty, they can be made to sound good, they can be modified fairly easily, there are lots of them, an industry developed to match, and you can show your edgy individuality by having the same classic car as all the other edgy individualists have*); but one of the odd things about the phenomenon is that the cars were, as made (not as modified), not very good to drive even by the standards of the time.
I suppose that when looking to buy new you had little choice, as the (much better) TRs and GT6s and Sunbeams were more expensive, the (much better) Midgets and Spitfires were too small, Vitesses had too many seats, and the (much, much better) European small sports cars and Lotuses were a lot more expensive and regarded as exotic and fallible.
The marketing and sales teams of the time did well, and in pure business terms a product that lasted so long with so few changes and such little development expenditure (ending its life not much better and possibly worse than when it began) was a winner; and the success has continued beyond the grave by supporting an industry.
The point about the inside lane types is that most well looked after cars of the 60s to late 70/early 80s should be able to operate fairly normally in modern traffic, but I get the impression that many a boggo MGB is driven as though it was a precious heirloom, the last one in all the world, and that's just silly.
* See also the modern and modern ish VW scene
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 7th April 09:36
Well Chaps, in defense of the humble little MGB, it is but an old and very basic design. Not too sure as to the cars only being driven at 55mph...all the guys I know who have a B' drive the nuts off them and, like me, will happily blat along at 80-85mph all day long. But, that's because they correctly maintain their trusty Abingdon Steeds.
Handling-wise, they are pigs to drive when the suspension's not looked after...they're bloody awful...but that's no different to any older car. However, when the suspension is in tip-top condition and really set-up they handle superbly...sadly, few know how to do this. Any doubters out there should read up on Tony Dron's experience of driving a B' in special stage rallies during the 1980's...and not forgetting...what car won the grueling 1966 Marathon de la Route totaling 84 non-stop hours at the Nurburgring.
Lastly, Breadvan, it's a shame my B's in mid-V8 conversion as you'd have been very welcome to drive mine prior to project start. All very standard on twin HS4's, lever arm dampers et al. Everyone who drove the car changed their perception of what an MGB was about and would no longer listen to the 'pub gossip' [read b
ks] that's spouted by the all too over subscribed armchair drivers club members.
Handling-wise, they are pigs to drive when the suspension's not looked after...they're bloody awful...but that's no different to any older car. However, when the suspension is in tip-top condition and really set-up they handle superbly...sadly, few know how to do this. Any doubters out there should read up on Tony Dron's experience of driving a B' in special stage rallies during the 1980's...and not forgetting...what car won the grueling 1966 Marathon de la Route totaling 84 non-stop hours at the Nurburgring.
Lastly, Breadvan, it's a shame my B's in mid-V8 conversion as you'd have been very welcome to drive mine prior to project start. All very standard on twin HS4's, lever arm dampers et al. Everyone who drove the car changed their perception of what an MGB was about and would no longer listen to the 'pub gossip' [read b
ks] that's spouted by the all too over subscribed armchair drivers club members.I have driven three standard MGBs, and a V8 one, and also loads of other classic cars from the same era, earlier eras, and later eras, and I have to say that my opinion of MGBs in standard spec is that.... those marketing guys did well. Midgets, by contrast, I think are the dogs danglies. As I said, diff'rent strokes.
Breadvan72 said:
... those marketing guys did well.
Yes, the BMC/BL marketing folk knew how to sell a car...
But not all went to plan with this one...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIF9ys-hJn0
v8250 said:
Breadvan72 said:
Hpw much U want 4 RMZ M8? Coleck L8R chrze.
Are you already lashed at this time of a Monday morning...?Midgets are all fab, and it is well known that an after market seatbelt rig or sporty steering wheel add at least 5 BHP to any car.
My daily is an MGB GT, I cruise at 80 on the motorway, sometimes take it up to 90, it's still comfortable at that but it is a bit noisy. I drive mine faster than 90% of the cars on the road, they might not be a great handling car, but they are so usable for a 40+ year old car. Maybe the people who don't exceed 55 don't have overdrive, it is very necessary.
BV.
There was a nice program on telly recently about Britsh sports cars, it didn't intend to answer your type of question, but it actually did answer it quite well.
People weren't so "aware" of other products back then, money was tight, the 50's and 60's are very close to WW2, we bought British back then, no matter how good the opposition was, and when the cut down Morris Oxford, we all know and love as the MGB came along, those who could actually afford to drive a car were driving Austin A40's and the like.
A bit later on, just as an example, a Volvo P1800 cost more than an E type Jaguar, due to import taxes !
I would actually rather own and drive an MGB (needs to be no later than a MK2 for me), than just about any other type of sports car, just because my desire to do that is purely driven by memories, first girlfriend, first illicit experiences, trips to the seaside, it was always warm and sunny back then, etc etc etc.
There was a nice program on telly recently about Britsh sports cars, it didn't intend to answer your type of question, but it actually did answer it quite well.
People weren't so "aware" of other products back then, money was tight, the 50's and 60's are very close to WW2, we bought British back then, no matter how good the opposition was, and when the cut down Morris Oxford, we all know and love as the MGB came along, those who could actually afford to drive a car were driving Austin A40's and the like.
A bit later on, just as an example, a Volvo P1800 cost more than an E type Jaguar, due to import taxes !
I would actually rather own and drive an MGB (needs to be no later than a MK2 for me), than just about any other type of sports car, just because my desire to do that is purely driven by memories, first girlfriend, first illicit experiences, trips to the seaside, it was always warm and sunny back then, etc etc etc.
williamp said:
I had an Midget a few years ago. With alexander air filters and a sports exhaust it could easily do 70mph on the M25. Amd the willans racing harness (no, really...) helped with the cornering too
You needed a harness? I always found that my shoulder was on the door & my leg was against the tunnel so I never moved about in the seat anyway.I can't say my Midget used to potter at 55mph much either, but I did get it when I was 21 & drove it like the Sportscar it claimed to be. They slide quite well with a few tweaks
Crosswise said:
My daily is an MGB GT, I cruise at 80 on the motorway, sometimes take it up to 90, it's still comfortable at that but it is a bit noisy. I drive mine faster than 90% of the cars on the road, they might not be a great handling car, but they are so usable for a 40+ year old car. Maybe the people who don't exceed 55 don't have overdrive, it is very necessary.
Quite.I quite enjoy driving the one I borrow every now and again.
Due to the lack of rapid acceleration (and sympathy for the engine) it is one of those "make progress by maintaining momentum" cars.
The feel and handling are far better than I expected before I drove it.
The typical (albeit no all of them!) owner appears to be a fairly steady old man who enjoys polishing and trundling about, but the cars deserve better.
The thing is there is no such thing as a perfect classic,they were all flawed to on extent or another, compared the the rest an mgb isn't bad at all, yes other cars drive better, but with cars of that age, hell of alot is down to how they're set up or have been maintained. Get a good one and it's a sweet little car, much more fun than an overly assisted modern car. Although I'd still choose the modern for a long journey!
Also MGB's are cheap, you can pick up a decent GT for a few thousand, and a mint one for around £6k. There isn't a great deal that can be bought for that. You say triumph TR's were better, arguably they probably are, but they are double the price. Midgets and spitfires are brilliant, I used to have one, but again arguably not as usable as an MGB over long distances, space etc. Add in the fact, they're also cheap to run and parts and upgrades are (mostly) cheap means you can have a tidy fun car which WILL cope well on modern day roads for little expenditure.
It's clear BV isn't a fan of the MGB, which is fine, everyone has opinions and like different things, if we all liked the same the world would be boring. However it's worth noting that they are popular and owned by a big cross section of people, if they were rubbish they wouldn't be. I see many being used as daily drivers, driven hard etc, more than equivalent cars of the era, triumphs etc, yes some do pamper them, it's their choice, and their car, but not all wrap them in cotton wool.
They probably aren't they best classic around, however, they are cheap, usable and fun, what more could you want.
Also MGB's are cheap, you can pick up a decent GT for a few thousand, and a mint one for around £6k. There isn't a great deal that can be bought for that. You say triumph TR's were better, arguably they probably are, but they are double the price. Midgets and spitfires are brilliant, I used to have one, but again arguably not as usable as an MGB over long distances, space etc. Add in the fact, they're also cheap to run and parts and upgrades are (mostly) cheap means you can have a tidy fun car which WILL cope well on modern day roads for little expenditure.
It's clear BV isn't a fan of the MGB, which is fine, everyone has opinions and like different things, if we all liked the same the world would be boring. However it's worth noting that they are popular and owned by a big cross section of people, if they were rubbish they wouldn't be. I see many being used as daily drivers, driven hard etc, more than equivalent cars of the era, triumphs etc, yes some do pamper them, it's their choice, and their car, but not all wrap them in cotton wool.
They probably aren't they best classic around, however, they are cheap, usable and fun, what more could you want.
- may contain some MGB Bias
Edited by Dbest92 on Monday 7th April 13:45
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