A light alloy V8 in the GT shell — and, unlike the MGC, it needed almost no change at the front end.
The 3,528cc Rover V8 weighs virtually the same as the four-cylinder B-series, which is the whole reason this car works. Where the MGC needed torsion bars, a new crossmember and 15in wheels to carry its iron six, the V8 kept the MGB GT’s coil-and-wishbone front suspension and its 14in wheels. That makes it far closer to a four-cylinder GT on parts than the MGC is. 2,591 were built between mid-1973 and 1976, 1,839 with chrome bumpers and 742 with rubber, and none were exported to America.
What does differ is worth knowing. The rear axle is a Salisbury at 3.07:1 against the four-cylinder’s 3.91:1. The gearbox casing was redesigned to take a larger clutch and the intermediate ratios raised for the torque, and the clutch withdrawal race is a ballrace rather than the usual carbon bush — a real parts difference. Laycock overdrive is standard, and V8 units are the higher-pressure LH type restricted to fourth gear only after early breakages. Rear springs are substantially stiffer and front springs heavier, though the dampers are unchanged. The wheels are V8-only Dunlop 5J ventilated cast-alloy-centre on 175 HR 14. Cooling is a larger radiator with two thermostatic electric fans and an oil cooler, and the bulkhead, inner wheel arches and front crossmember are modified to clear the engine.
MG MGB GT V8 — specification & changes within the model
- Built
- Mid-1973 – 1976, 2,591 built — 1,839 chrome bumper, 742 rubber bumper. Never exported to North America.
- Engine
-
3,528cc Rover V8, 137bhp, 193lb ft. Weighs virtually the same as the B-series four.
- Why it needed no torsion bars
- Because of that weight. It keeps the MGB GT’s coil-and-wishbone front suspension and 14in wheels — the contrast with the MGC is the cleanest way to understand both cars.
- Rear axle
-
Salisbury, 3.07:1, against the four-cylinder’s 3.91:1.
- Gearbox and clutch
-
Casing redesigned for a larger clutch, intermediate ratios raised. Clutch withdrawal race is a ballrace, not the usual carbon bush.
- Overdrive
-
Standard. Higher-pressure LH type, fourth gear only, after early breakages.
- Springs
-
Rear springs substantially stiffer, front springs heavier. Dampers unchanged from the four-cylinder car.
- Wheels
- Dunlop 5J ventilated cast-alloy-centre, 175 HR 14 — V8 only.
- Brakes
- Lockheed front discs and rear drums as the four-cylinder car, with the servo standard.
- Cooling
- Larger radiator with two thermostatically controlled electric fans, plus an oil cooler.
- Body
-
Modified bulkhead, inner wheel arches and front crossmember to clear the engine. Everything else is MGB GT.
