|
MORRIS
MAGIC
Then there are the really classic
MGs from the Morris Garages. These were the cars that started coming to America
after the war. True sports cars in every sense.  Cecil
Kimber was Sales Manager at Morris Garages working for William Morris back in
1921. He moved into design and then into full production of cars of his design.
By 1924, the cars were simply called MGs, and are still today after a whole
series of owners. The early cars were called Midgets up through the TD. Then
came the MGA in 1955, the Midget MK I in 1961 and the MGB in 1962. The MGC in
1967. British Leyland took over ownership in the 1970s and then went out of
business in 1980. The company was resurrected in 1990 and is still going today,
but the cars are sadly not exported to the Colonies.
|
1951
MG-TD MIDGET
The classic post war British Roadster. 1250
cc Four that turned out an outstanding 54 bhp with a top speed of 78 mph.
To compare with modern speedsters, this car can do 0-60 in a mere 21 seconds.
The windscreen is hinged, so it can lay out flat over the hood. Probably
when goggles got to be important. Produced from 1949 to 1953, so this
one is right in the middle.
|
 |
 |
1958
MGA ROADSTER
Running MGB disk brakes, competition suspension
and sway bars, B head and autocross cam. Bored out 1500 cc in-line 4 with
an MGB head and twin SU carbs. Runs just great. No clue as to horsepower
or top end speed. Loud as heck, but no room under the wooden floorboards
to put a muffler. A real classic. First 'modern' car after all those years
of the 'T' models.
|
|
1958
MGA COUPE
The hardtop version of the above car. This was
obviously designed in an era before the 'fast back' look became popular.
Basically the same 1500 cc four in the roadster, but this has stock heads
and all that. Feels the same as the roadster, but a bit claustrobic as
it closely surrounds you. But there are glass roll up windows, door handles
and all that stuff. Very few were made.
|
 |
 |
1965
MGB ROADSTER
Another case where earlier is better. This early
B has the nice thin chrome bumpers and a grille. Great job on restoration,
new everything and motor with 10 miles on it after a complete rebuild
when I got it. Has the 1800 cc Four with twin SU carbs. In this case the
windows actually go down and disappear. Neat. This is the car that Datsun
copied to make their Fairladys.
|
|
1974
1/2 MGB GT COUPE
A salon version of the roadster. It has the
same 1800 cc four that the MGB roadster has, but a more sophisticated
suspension system. The rubber bumper thing met Federal standards, but
did not meet much in the way of eye appeal. Overall, a great touring car.
Also they made good race cars back then.
|
 |
 |
1974
MG MIDGET MK IV
Last year for the chrome bumpers. The Mark 4
had the 1275 cc four, a nice upgrade from the earlier 1098 cc engines
of the 1960s. A tad bigger than my Bug Eye, but identical to the later
Sprites, which were a kinda joint venture of MG and Austin Healey. Each
year made, they were alike. 'Spridgets.'Doesn't eat up a lot of garage
space, or road space either.
|
|
