The front suspension was essentially taken from the MGA with unequal wishbones but with the front suspension assembly with brakes mounted on a cross member that could be removed. The monocoque body was based around combined inner and outer sill sections with a deep centre tunnel. As this was to be the first MG with such a construction the framework of the car tended towards over engineering which was to stand the MGB in good stead as the cars aged to become much loved classics. Early development work in the late fifties determined that in order to get significant improvements to the luggage and passenger space that the old MGA chassis would need to be abandoned and work was begun on creating the new car with a monocoque body. Work on creating what would become the MGB Roadster had already begun by 1956 with initial designs based on the existing MGA chassis. The MGB was made to be owner repairable and the result of that intentional design is that lots of them have survived and they are the most common car for most MG club’s members. The transmission is simple and solid, and the steering is traditional rack and pinion.
The engine is an old fashioned iron push-rod overhead valve unit with equally old fashioned tappets which are not silent in operation but are easy enough to adjust with feeler gauge and spanners. The body is a monocoque structure engineered to ensure it’s stiff and dependable. The humble MG is a good example of what made the British car industry a dominant force in the world of sports car manufacturing in the ‘50s and ‘60s. The MGB Roadster is the quintessential British sports car that never attempted to be the quickest thing on four wheels, rather it focussed on being enjoyable to drive, to tinker with, and to own.
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