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Photo of a MG MGB

MG MGB

Planned for about 5 years, built for 18: 512,243 MGB roadsters and GTs.1

Researched November 9, 2026 from 36 sources

Also called

  • Poor man's Aston MartinUsed for the GT, which realized John Thornley's idea of an affordable Aston Martin.23
  • Pull HandleRetrospective label for the first 3 years of production, before the exterior door handles changed.4
  • ExpressUnofficial name for Bill Nicholson's tuned GT conversion, which kept the standard exterior appearance.5
  • JubileeNickname for the 1975 anniversary edition, finished in British racing green with gold stripes and trim.6

At a glance

0100200
70–145 hpPower
07.515
8.3–14 s0–60 mph
0100200
167.4–200 km/hTop speed
0150300
140–261 N·mTorque
07501,500
920–1,100 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.23691213

Engine
MGB: 1.8 L B-Series I4; MGC: 2.9 L six; GT V8: 3.5 L Rover V8; RV8: Rover V83689
Layout
Front-engine, rear-wheel drive6
Gearbox
4-speed manual; overdrive optional, standard on GT V8; UK 3-speed automatic36
Built at
Abingdon, UK; BMC Zetland, Australia; RV8: Cowley, UK6

The story

Launched in 1962 to replace the MGA, the MGB brought monocoque construction, more passenger and luggage room, and wind-up windows for better weather protection.467

1962: Monocoque replaces the MGA19621963: Zetland starts Australian assembly19631964: Five main bearings, still 95 hp19641965: GT adds a 2+2 hatchback19651967: MGC six and the Mk II overhaul19671973: Rover V8 reaches the factory GT19731974: US rules reshape the MGB19741980: October 22: Abingdon falls silent19801992: RV8 revives the MGB1992 MG TA Midget (TA): 1936–1939TAMG TB Midget (TB): 1939–1940MG TC Midget (TC): 1945–1949TCMG TD Midget (TD): 1950–1953TDMG TF Midget (TF): 1953–1955MG MGA: 1955–1962MG MGAMG MGB (ADO23): 1962–1980ADO23MG RV8: 1992–1995MG F: From 1995MG F 194019501960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones68202122
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1936–1939MG TA Midget (TA)
1939–1940MG TB Midget (TB)
1945–1949MG TC Midget (TC)
1950–1953MG TD Midget (TD)
1953–1955MG TF Midget (TF)
1955–1962MG MGA
1962–1980MG MGB (ADO23)
1992–1995MG RV8
From 1995MG F
1962Monocoque replaces the MGA
1963Zetland starts Australian assembly
1964Five main bearings, still 95 hp
1965GT adds a 2+2 hatchback
1967MGC six and the Mk II overhaul
1973Rover V8 reaches the factory GT
1974US rules reshape the MGB
1980October 22: Abingdon falls silent
1992RV8 revives the MGB
  1. 1962

    Monocoque replaces the MGA

    Announced on September 19, the MGB brought wind-up windows and a three-bearing 1,798 cc B-Series engine rated at 95 hp.6

  2. 1963

    Zetland starts Australian assembly

    CKD assembly began at Zetland on April 4. Local content reached 45%, including vinyl instead of leather seats; an 85% duty threshold helped end assembly in 1972.1

  3. 1964

    Five main bearings, still 95 hp

    October brought a five-main-bearing crankshaft for the 1,798 cc B-Series; output stayed at 95 hp.68

  4. 1965

    GT adds a 2+2 hatchback

    October's MGB GT added a fixed-roof 2+2 hatchback body, a folding rear bench and more luggage room than the roadster.8

  5. 1967

    MGC six and the Mk II overhaul

    The MGC added a 2,912 cc six; 1968's MGB Mk II gained full synchromesh and an automatic outside the US. US cars acquired air-injection pumps.368

  6. 1973

    Rover V8 reaches the factory GT

    Launched in August, the MGB GT V8 brought a 3.5 L alloy Rover V8 rated at 137 hp. Factory production ended in 1976.3910

  7. 1974

    US rules reshape the MGB

    Black bumpers and 25 mm higher suspension arrived; US GT exports ended. US MGBs switched to one Stromberg carburetor in January 1975.68

  8. 1980

    October 22: Abingdon falls silent

    The last roadster and GT were finished on October 22, and Abingdon closed. Of 512,243 MGBs built, 298,052 had gone to North America.811

  9. 1992

    RV8 revives the MGB

    The heavily revised MG RV8 returned with Rover V8 power. Just 2,000 were built before the MG F replaced it in 1995.68

Every generation

  • MG TA Midget
    TA1936–1939
  • MG TB Midget
    TB1939–1940
  • MG TC Midget
    TC1945–1949
  • MG TD Midget
    TD1950–1953
  • MG TF Midget
    TF1953–1955
  • MG MGA
    MG MGA1955–1962
  • MG MGB
    ADO231962–1980
  • MG RV8
    MG RV81992–1995
  • MG F
    MG FFrom 1995

Power over the years

From 95 hp to 145 hp in 5 years.

050100150 1965197019751980 hp 1962 · 95 hp · MGB, three-bearing 1.8 L1964 · 95 hp · MGB, five-bearing 1.8 L1967 · 145 hp · MGC, 2.9 L six1971 · 95 hp · UK 18V, revised SU needles1973 · 137 hp · MGB GT V8, 3.5 L Rover1975 · 84 hp · Anniversary GT, twin SU HIF41980 · 97 hp · UK LE, twin SU HIF4 145 hp MGC, 2.9 L six 95 hp MGB, three-bearing 1.8 L
3689101415
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
196295MGB, three-bearing 1.8 L
196495MGB, five-bearing 1.8 L
1967145MGC, 2.9 L six
197195UK 18V, revised SU needles
1973137MGB GT V8, 3.5 L Rover
197584Anniversary GT, twin SU HIF4
198097UK LE, twin SU HIF4

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    MGB Roadster

    1962–1980

    386,961 built

  • MGB GT

    Standard

    MGB GT

    1965–1980

    125,282 built

  • MGB Limited Edition (North America)

    Limited

    MGB Limited Edition (North America)

    1979–1980

  • MGB GT V8

    Performance

    MGB GT V8

    1973–1976

    137 hp

    2,591 built

  • Limited

    MG RV8

    1992–1995

    2,000 built

  • Special

    MGB GT Special (North America)

    1967

  • Performance

    Bill Nicholson MGB GT Express

  • Limited

    MGB GT Anniversary (Jubilee)

    1975

    84 hp
  • MGB GT LE

    Limited

    MGB GT LE

    1980

    97 hp

  • Limited

    MGB LE Roadster (UK)

    1980

    97 hp

  • Performance

    Ken Costello V8

    1970–1974

How to spot one

Look for

  • Round headlights punctuate the cigar-shaped body.18
  • Roadsters have an open two-seat cockpit with wind-up side glass and separate quarter windows.67
  • GTs have a fixed hatchback roof, with taller windshield and side glass than the roadster.38
  • Later cars have a black front bumper incorporating the grille, plus a matching rear bumper.6

Year by year

  1. 1965–1966 model years

    Pull-out door handles survive through 1965; push-button handles appear for the 1966 model year.19

  2. 1968–1969 US models

    The padded 'Abingdon pillow' dashboard arrives for 1968; 1969 adds 3 wipers, headrests and side marker lamps.6

  3. 1970 model year

    RoStyle wheels replace plain discs; a recessed black grille and one-piece rear lamp lenses identify the new look.819

  4. 1973–1974

    A polished grille surround returns around a black honeycomb center, replacing the recessed black grille.619

  5. 1974 US models

    Chrome bumpers acquire oversized rubber overriders nicknamed 'Sabrinas'.6

  6. Late 1974 onward

    Full black bumpers replace chrome; the front incorporates the grille, while the suspension sits 25 mm higher.6

Don’t confuse it with

  • MG MGA Roadster

    The MGA roadster lacks exterior door handles; check for the visible pull-out or push-button handles on the B.1920

  • Photo of a MG MGB
    MGB
    Photo of a MGB Roadster with accessory hardtop
    MGB Roadster with accessory hardtop

    MGB Roadster with accessory hardtop

    Use glass height: the GT has a taller windshield and higher side windows than the roadster.3

Against its rivals

  • Triumph TR4

    MGB vs Triumph TR4

    Base price lower is better

    MGB690 £
    Triumph TR4750 £
    12
  • Sunbeam Alpine

    MGB vs Sunbeam Alpine

    Base price lower is better

    MGB690 £
    Sunbeam Alpine695 £
    12

Prices

Value today $5.2K–$39.0K1629

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K 197019801990200020102020 Value today: $5,200–$39,000 1962 · $1,932 · UK roadster, pre-tax; approx. USD1965 · $2,800 · UK GT base with tax, approx. USD1973 · $5,000 · UK GT V8 base with tax, approx. USD 1962 · £690 · UK base before tax, 1962; approximate period USD 2017 · $38,500 · 1967 roadster, 79,706 miles, RM Sotheby’s2022 · $41,000 · 1973 factory GT V8, LHD conversion, BaT2022 · $13,000 · 1974 MGB GT, BaT2023 · $15,800 · 1974 MGB GT, BaT2025 · $39,000 · 1973 factory GT V8, LHD, 95k miles shown, BaT2025 · $8,100 · 1967 MGB GT, 39k miles shown, BaT2025 · $9,288 · 1978 MGB Roadster, 22k miles shown, BaT2026 · $15,500 · 1963 roadster, 86k miles shown, total unknown, BaT2026 · $5,200 · 1980 Limited Edition, 378 miles shown, BaT2026 · $17,500 · 1974 MGB GT, total mileage unknown, BaT $41.0K BaT, 2022
31216293132333536
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1962Launch price$1,932UK base before tax, 1962; approximate period USD
1962Price when new$1,932UK roadster, pre-tax; approx. USD
1965Price when new$2,800UK GT base with tax, approx. USD
1973Price when new$5,000UK GT V8 base with tax, approx. USD
2017Auction sale$38,5001967 roadster, 79,706 miles, RM Sotheby’s
2022Auction sale$41,0001973 factory GT V8, LHD conversion, BaT
2022Auction sale$13,0001974 MGB GT, BaT
2023Auction sale$15,8001974 MGB GT, BaT
2025Auction sale$39,0001973 factory GT V8, LHD, 95k miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$8,1001967 MGB GT, 39k miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$9,2881978 MGB Roadster, 22k miles shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$15,5001963 roadster, 86k miles shown, total unknown, BaT
2026Auction sale$5,2001980 Limited Edition, 378 miles shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$17,5001974 MGB GT, total mileage unknown, BaT
2026Value today$5,200–$39,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “Aluminum MGBs took on Sebring”
    • “11th at Sebring, ahead of Shelbys and 911s”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 9 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 36 sources
  1. MG Car Club 'B' Register 'History' Page mgb.mgcc.info
  2. MGB GT LE – The MG Owners' Club mgownersclub.co.uk
  3. All the Way from A to B: The History of the MGB, Part Two < Ate Up With Motor ateupwithmotor.com
  4. MGB February 2009 - Motor Sport Magazine motorsportmagazine.com
  5. Nicholson-tuned M.G.-B GT November 1967 - Motor Sport Magazine motorsportmagazine.com
  6. MG MGB - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  7. The 1.8-litre M.G.-B September 1963 - Motor Sport Magazine motorsportmagazine.com
  8. MGB Register - NAMGBR namgbr.org
  9. Buying an MGB mgclub.org.nz
  10. Road Test - The M.G-B GT V8 October 1973 - Motor Sport Magazine motorsportmagazine.com
  11. The B-Team | mossmotoring.com
  12. MGB GT and Roadster: 2023 Buyers Guide theclassicvaluer.com
  13. 50º aniversario del MGB GT V8, el antecesor del MG4 XPOWER: 10 curiosas coincidencias entre ambos modelos news.mgmotor.eu
  14. MGB LE – The MG Owners' Club mgownersclub.co.uk
  15. MGB GT ANNIVERSARY – The MG Owners' Club mgownersclub.co.uk
  16. 1973 MG MGB GT V8 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $32,000 on March 2, 2025 (Lot #182,165) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  17. The Costello Story | mg-costello mgcostello.com
  18. MG Spirit Reborn: Innovate forever in inheritance news.mgmotor.eu
  19. MGB model identification - MG Parts mgparts.co.nz
  20. MG MGA - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  21. MG T-type - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  22. All the Way from A to B: The History of the MGB, Part One < Ate Up With Motor ateupwithmotor.com
  23. The MG Car Club celebrates Don Hayter’s 90th Birthday - MG Car Club mgcc.co.uk
  24. 1962 MG MGB Lightweight | The Andrews Collection | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  25. This MGB GT Is the Forgotten Hero of Sports Car Racing's Golden Age roadandtrack.com
  26. Le Mans '65 - MG Car Club mgcc.co.uk
  27. BMT 216A: MGB bmt216a.dk
  28. MG MGB GT | Forza Horizon Wiki forzahorizonwiki.com
  29. 1980 MG MGB Roadster Limited Edition for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $5,200 on September 18, 2026 (Lot #263,784) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. 1967 MGB roadster review: Retro Road Test retromotor.co.uk
  31. 1967 MG MGB Roadster | Amelia Island 2017 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  32. No Reserve: 1963 MG MGB Roadster for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $15,500 on May 5, 2026 (Lot #241,127) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. 1974 MG MGB GT for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $17,500 on September 30, 2026 (Lot #265,961) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. 30-Years-Owned 1964 MG MGB Roadster for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $15,500 on May 17, 2026 (Lot #242,946) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. No Reserve: 1967 MG MGB GT for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $8,100 on August 21, 2025 (Lot #206,270) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. No Reserve: 1978 MG MGB Roadster for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $9,288 on May 30, 2025 (Lot #194,029) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • mgb.mgcc.info
  • mgownersclub.co.uk
  • ateupwithmotor.com
  • motorsportmagazine.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • namgbr.org
  • mgclub.org.nz
  • mossmotoring.com
  • theclassicvaluer.com
  • news.mgmotor.eu
  • bringatrailer.com
  • mgcostello.com
  • mgparts.co.nz
  • mgcc.co.uk

Photo credits

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