MGB - The superlative MG

MGB - The superlative MG
Author: David Knowles
Publisher: The Crowood Press
Total Pages: 943
Release: 2022-01-22
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 1785009427

The MGB was a great British success story, a product largely conceived, designed and produced by a small team of dedicated people who genuinely cared about their work. Of course, the MGB came from a proud, successful sports car tradition, and the model it replaced - the revolutionary aerodynamic MGA - had been an unprecedented success - so the new car had big shoes to fill. Launching in 1962 and in production for eighteen years, the MGB became one of the most successful sports cars the world has ever known. This book describes how the MGB arose principally from the ideas of one man, MG's Chief Engineer, Syd Enever, how it was designed and developed, how it survived and thrived, and how it became the classic car still highly regarded today. There have been many previous books about the MGB, and the related MGC and V8 variants, but MGB - The superlative MG reaches a new level of detail together seasoned with fresh insight. David Knowles has been researching and writing about the MGB for more than thirty years. Prepare to be surprised at some of the stories you will have never read before, and new twists on some you possibly thought you knew well.

MGB - the Superlative MG

MGB - the Superlative MG
Author: David Knowles
Publisher:
Total Pages: 320
Release: 2022-01-11
Genre:
ISBN: 9781785009419

Launching in 1962 and in production for eighteen years, the MGB became one of the most successful sports cars the world has ever known. MGB - The Superlative MG describes how the MGB arose principally from the ideas of one man, MG's Chief Engineer, Syd Enever, how it was designed and developed, how it survived and thrived, and how it became the classic car still so highly regarded today. With over 620 archive and specially commissioned photographs, including previously unseen models, sketches and prototypes, and packed with tables and data, it includes how the drive to replace the revolutionary MGA led to the development of the MGB, with the key personnel involved at each stage. It goes on to describe the genesis of the Pininfarina-refined MGB GT, and the Ferranti MGB hardtop as well as the MGC and incredible lightweight MGC GTS - including, for the first time, what became of the factory cars when first sold. The story of Ken Costello and his MGB V8, and the factory MGB GT V8 is covered along with the evolution of the MGB through the difficult period of British Leyland to the tragic end of the Abingdon factory. The full story of the lost cause of the Aston Martin Lagonda bid to rescue Abingdon and the MGB - including political and commercial insight is given along with detailed insight from many people who were closely involved in the creation, development and ultimate demise of the MGB. The motorsports story of the MGB family, including race details, insiders' stories and key racer biographies is covered. Finally, the sales and marketing of the MGB in its two principal sales markets, including the clever advertising campaigns and commercials is covered and details of the overseas assembly of the MGB, in particular Ireland and Australia.

Original MGB

Original MGB
Author: Anders Ditlev Clausager
Publisher: Herridge & Sons Limited
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2011-02-01
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 9781906133184

The MGB, the epitome of the British sports car, has attracted a huge following because of its blend of good looks, practicality and decent road manner. During its 18-year production life, from 1962 to 1980, it underwent a bewildering number of changes to specification and equipment. An owner or restorer of an MGB wants to know where their car came in the cycle of production and thus what it should look like and what parts should be fitted, from tail lamps to door handles. Answers to all these questions can only be found in this book, with detailed color photography of the complete range of the cars.

The Complete Book of Classic MG Cars

The Complete Book of Classic MG Cars
Author: Ross Alkureishi
Publisher: Motorbooks
Total Pages: 246
Release: 2020-11-17
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 0760367175

The Complete Book of Classic MG Cars covers all the marque's collectible production saloons and sports cars, from the 14/28 and 14/40 sports cars to the iconic postwar convertibles like the MGA and MGB, as well as latter-day takes on the classic MG formula, such as the RV8. First produced in Oxford, England, in 1924, MG cars proved instantly appealing, with a cheeky spirit that would win the hearts of millions around the globe, not least of all in the United States. This was due in no small part to the fact that the price was as attractive as the styling and the performance. Inexpensive and fun became quintessential MG traits. In this installment of Motorbooks' Complete Book series, author Ross Alkureishi offers a chronological model-by-model marque history. Narratives discuss design, production, and technology, while specification tables highlight key technical and performance data. Hundreds of photos illustrate the vehicles and even include detail shots of engine bays and interiors. Originally formed as a side business, MG became one of the world's most recognized car brands. From prewar saloons to fast and affordable two-seat sports cars in the pre- and postwar periods, MG has exuded fun, thanks to models like the Midgets and Magnettes, the traditionally styled T-Types, and the vehicles that would become the marque’s most recognizable: the MGA, MGB, and MGC. MG would undergo several ownership changes throughout the years, and Alkureishi expertly shows how different ownership groups affected MG cars, good or bad. Along the way, the company competed on racetracks around the world, and Alkureishi describes the most successful of these exploits in complementary sidebars. The Complete Book of Classic MG Cars is the essential guide to this important chapter in the history of motoring.

MGB – The Illustrated History 4th Edition

MGB – The Illustrated History 4th Edition
Author: Jonathan Wood & Lionel Burrell
Publisher: David and Charles
Total Pages: 416
Release: 2022-08-24
Genre:
ISBN: 1787116115

Recalling the remarkable history of this remarkable car, this book was written with full co-operation and contributions from key members of the original design team. It looks behind the scenes at the world-famous MG factory in Abingdon, which closed in 1980. This 4th edition also includes brand new illustrations and an original road test report.

MG's Abingdon Factory

MG's Abingdon Factory
Author: Brian Moylan
Publisher: Veloce Publishing
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2007-08-15
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 9781845841140

This book is a pictorial study of men and women drawn from all parts of the country to this little known rural town to take part in the building of a motor car. These workers were a mixture of skilled people from the depressed areas of England and Wales together with the few MG car workers who made the journey with the MG from Oxford to the rural town of Abingdon and its largely agricultural community. This mixture coalesced to become a work force that built a legend - The MG. With 160 photos of factory life, both car-building and during the war effort, this is a fascinating story.

British Leyland—From Triumph to Tragedy

British Leyland—From Triumph to Tragedy
Author: Lance Cole
Publisher: Pen and Sword Transport
Total Pages: 369
Release: 2021-01-18
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 152674824X

A history of the British automotive manufacturer and an analysis of what went wrong. What really happened at British Leyland (BL)? Was it ‘just’ the cars, or were other factors vital to the story? Who really was to blame for BL and MG Rover’s death? The ‘truth’ about BL is deeper than its cars – were ultra- Left-wing plots to topple BL and British society real? Did secret deals and political intrigue really exist? Was it Labour or Conservative powers who ‘killed’ BL, or was it BL itself? How was it that BL’s design genius was hobbled? Author Lance Cole lifts the bonnet on BL and presents a forensic yet easy to read new analysis in a story of BL, its cars, and the era of their motoring as powers on the political Left and Right waged war, sometimes even with themselves. Here is a book about cars and more, a conversation on all things BL: this is a new account of a classic British story told across a trail of evidence in a British industrial and political drama. Many mistakes made BL, but some of the cars were superb, the designs of genius, the engineering excellent; it is just that we have either forgotten, or been brainwashed into believing the worst. In a BL book like no other, written by a classic car fanatic with a background in industrial design, automotive, and wider journalism, this story lifts the lid on BL's cars and more. The author also adds inside knowledge from time working in the motor industry. Lance Cole tells the deeper BL story across the era of its greatest successes and its biggest failures. “An important and overdue book, well researched which will find a welcome place on the shelves of transport academics and motoring aficionados alike.” —The Journal of the Road Transport History Association “Cole’s engaging and informal writing style makes things very readable and helps us untangle a lot of the more complex shenanigans that went on. With fifty colour and fifty monochrome pictures, it’s well-illustrated too. Thoroughly recommended for its astute insight whether you’re a BL fan or not.” —Car Mechanics

MGA The Revolutionary MG

MGA The Revolutionary MG
Author: David Knowles
Publisher: Crowood Press UK
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2019-10-29
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 9781785005671

The MGA truly marked a revolution in MG sports car design, with its appearance quite unlike any previous production car from the celebrated British marque. Entering production in the summer of 1955, it broke with the time-honoured tradition of narrow-gutted, flat-sides, upright styling, with the distinctive large grille, exposed headlamps, separate wings and sharply cut-off tail that had serviced the majority of MG sports cars for well over thirty years. Many die-hard MG enthusiasts of the time were understandably outraged, but the decision to break with tradition proved to be a good one: over 100,000 cars were produced over the model's seven-year lifetime.

MG, Made in Abingdon

MG, Made in Abingdon
Author: Bob Frampton
Publisher: Veloce Publishing
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2018-05-29
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 9781787112681

MG was a home-grown concept that became an international success, bringing the small market town of Abingdon onto the global map. MG - Made in Abingdon recounts the inside story of the famous factory, recognising that the most important aspect of MGs success was its team – the tea-boys and girls, the shop floor workers, the engineers and racers, the apprentices and management. From memories of the production line to recollections of racing incidents, the untold story of MG from the men and women who worked in the Abingdon factory is revealed for the first time in this fascinating, historical account.

Raymond Mays’ Magnificent Obsession

Raymond Mays’ Magnificent Obsession
Author: Bryan Apps
Publisher: David and Charles
Total Pages: 478
Release: 2022-07-20
Genre:
ISBN: 1787115526

This biography of Raymond Mays includes complete histories of ERA and BRM, including race summaries, a foreword by Mays himself. Personal letters addressed to the author from Alfred Owen, David Brown, Tony Rudd, Rivers Fletcher, Bob Gerard, Ken Richardson, Juan Fangio, and many others add intimacy to the story. Illustrated with over 100 of the author`s colour paintings.