Fast But Civilised MGB

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30057, 15 February 1963, Page 12

Fast But Civilised MGB

TYURING its long life, the U British Motor Corporation’s MGA sports car won many friends, and it seems certain the new MGB, announced in Britain last year and now starting to appear on New Zealand roads, will be even more popular. The new MG has smooth, neat lines and a comprehensive specification. The 1798 c.c. four-cylinder engine produces 94 bh.p. at 5500 r.p.m. and factory figures quote 0 to 30 m.p.h. acceleration time as 3 6 sec. From a standing start 50 m.pJi. comes up in 9J2sec., and the standing quartermile can be covered in 18.8 sec. Top speed is more than 100 m.p.h. The car has a reasonable boot for a sports car and accessibility under the bonnet is good, with the possible exception of the distributor. The driving position is comfortable and the bucket seats give good support, but

the pedals do not enable heel-and-toe operation and there is no space beside the cluitoh pedal to rest the left foot. Instruments The instruments are well laid out and easy to see through ■ the spokes of the wheel. The switches for wipers and lights are not labelled, however, and practice is needed before a driver knows which is which. The heater controls are neat and well-marked. The gear lever falls well to the hand, but the handbrake, no longer of the flyoff type, is a little hard to reach in a hurry. The rearvision mirror is well sighted and can be adjusted vertically up and down a central Strip of metal. Visibility is excellent, even with tire hood up. One person can raise and lower the

hood with practice, but lit is a much simpler operation with an assistant. When in place the hood stretches tauit and does not flap. The space behind the front seats could accommodate two small children, but for most purposes the MGB is definitely a two-seater. The car tested was not fully run in, and had to be treated with consideration for the tight engine and running gear. Nevertheless acceleration is as good as the figures suggest. Quiet The noise level in the car is low, and winding windows make it much more civilised than gome of its predecessors. The cockpit is well-trimmed and the floor is carpeted. There is some noise from the gear-box particularly in first and second, but noise from the engine is subdued. The gear-change is a delight, with short positive movements and an effective synchromesh, though not between first and second. The dutch engagement is smooth but positive and the accelerator is light in action.

The brakes, disc at the front, provide smooth and rapid stopping power. They are not servo-assisted, but are commendably light in operation even at low speeds. The rack and pinion steering is direct and a pleasure to use. The turning circle

(quoted by the makers at 32f!t) is pleasantly small, and with the steering ait 2.9 turns from lock to lock the car can be manoeuvred very quickly. The engine does all that is asked of it without fuss, and is flexible as well as powerful. The horn, as on far too many new cars, is too weak.

On the road the MGB gives a well-controlled ride over most surfaces and the suspension seems an excellent compromise . between the sitifflness necessajy for good handling and a high standard of sports car comfort. Stability The handling is very predictable and the car gives a great impression of stability and safety. If a comer is taken sufficiently fast the rear wheels will break away in a smooth, slow and progressive manner, and the movement can be checked at any time the driver wishes. Cattle stops taken at speed cause little discomfort, and cats* eyes also cause no fuss The rear suspension is by semi-elliptical springs. On the MGB sold in New Zealand an oil cooler is standard equipment. For a price of £1172, of which £624 is necessary in sterling, the MGB provides a well-appointed sports car with considerable inherent stability and safety. It is a car in which both town and country driving is comfortable but rapid, and the excellent handling qualities allow the car to forgive considerable errors of judgment.