MG - MGB
The MGB was the replacement to the MGA, available in showrooms from 1962. The new MGB had a monocoque chassis construction which "added lightness" saving on materials with the benefit of allowing for much more room inside, as there was no chassis frame. The MGB was a well appointed car from the start, even having wind up windows as standard. For 1965 the MGB was joined by the hard top version MGB GT, fitted with a taller windscreen and a practical third door hatch back, which was designed by Pininfarina. By now the MGB had a 5 bearing version of the BMC B series 1798cc engine. For 1968 the gearbox was given full synchromesh using the gearbox designed for the MGC, a stronger built to cope with the extra power. For 1975, due to legislation in the USA, the MGB rubber bumper era had arrived, along with raising the bodywork so that the headlights passed the U.S.A. height regulation, which was said to have an adverse effect on road holding at speed. By 1980 the MGB had seen an 18 year production life and British Leyland management decided that the new TR7 would follow on as their new flagship sportscar.
Tyre size for MGB and MGB GT - when the MGB first came out it was fitted with cross ply 5.60x14 tyres, with the radial equivalent of this tyre being the full size (80 profile) 165R14, the tyre we recommend. When the MG factory at Abingdon started upgrading the MGB with radial tyres, this same full profile 165R14 tyre size is what was fitted (a tyre size also later called 165/80R14) at the Abingdon factory. Blockley produces the perfect period tread pattern, steel belt 165HR14 with an excellent speed rate, which will transform the handling of the MGB - guaranteed. Many MGB owners today like to fit a wider version of this tyre that has the same diameter, called the 185/70R14 tyre size, which all the tyre manufacturers were listing as an alternative by the late 1970's for the MGB, although we are unaware that the factory ever fitted this size. The 185/70VR14 is certainly the perfect fitment for the MGB V8 model.
If your MGB is fitted with original wire wheels, Blockley also produce a thicker butyl correct dimensioned inner tube to suit, and in this instance don't forget to fit a good quality rim band to the wheel, which we can also supply. See full details of these MGB tyres at the links below: