MGB MGC & MGB GT V8: A celebration of Britains best-loved sports car (Haynes Great Cars) [Hardcover]

David Knowles (Author)

Book Description

Series: Haynes Great Cars | Publication Date: August 12, 2004

The MGB epitomises the spirit of the British sports car. Launched in 1962, the 'B' remained in production for 18 years, and has become one of the most-loved sports cars of all time.

 

Although the MGB was mass-produced, its combination of unpretentious styling, sound engineering and practicality won the affection of drivers on both sides of the Atlantic, and ensures that enthusiasm for this affordable classic remains undiminished.

 

This beautifully produced book will appeal to all fans of British sports cars as well as to MGB owners and enthusiasts.

The MGB epitomises the spirit of the British sports car. This illustrated volume should appeal to all fans of British sports cars as well as to MGB owners and enthusiasts.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Knowles is a civil engineer.  He is the author of MG - The Untold Story and MG X Power SV published by The Crowood Press.  He lives in Ruislip, Middlesex, England.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Haynes Publishing (August 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1859609589
• ISBN-13: 978-1859609583
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 10 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #920,021 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive MGB book., May 2, 2000

By 

David Etherington - See all my reviews

This review is from: MGB: Landmarques: Including MGC & MGB GTV8 (Hardcover)

Following on his excellent work, 'MG The Untold Story', David Knowles adds a great deal of new material to events with which MGB aficionados are already familiar. In particular, the interviews with those involved with the factory and various companies are most enlightening. Even more of these personal insights would have been welcome. Extensive use of sidebars provides the opportunity to present statistics and detailed discussion of special topics, for example, a list of suppliers of MGB components, or the disagreement on the fate of the MGB GT prototype, without interrupting the main narrative.

The book also makes use of numerous black and white and colour photos, many of which have not been published previously. The only disappointment in this area is that some of the early colour photographs, including the cover shot are reproduced with a magenta cast, suggesting deterioration of the negatives, which I would have expected to be better corrected.

Chapters include development and production of the MGB, various stages in its life, as well as the GT, MGC, and V8 versions and the politics and corporate history pertinent to the MGB. I found the period of transition from chrome bumpers to "Sabrina" bumpers to rubber bumpers particularly well documented. The death of the MGB and the Abingdon works, and the attempts to rescue them, are also thoroughly covered. In addition, Knowles lends chapters to racing activities during the production period, and touches upon the brochures and advertising material. Separate chapters are devoted to the assembly of MGB's in Australia and the production of the Heritage bodyshell.

It should be noted that the author suggests that this book should be considered a complimentary publication to Anders Clausager's 'Original MG', which concentrates more on the precise production history of the MGB. Meanwhile Knowles has done an excellent job of presenting the why's, how's and who's of the saga.

My copy of the book was on order months in advance of publication. It was well worth the wait. I highly recommend it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First class all the way., March 4, 2004

By 

D. Hepner "hep-rock" (New York City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: MGB: Landmarques: Including MGC & MGB GTV8 (Hardcover)

I bought this book based on the above reviews and was thoroughly impressed. Wonderfully researched if you want the details, and with great pictures if you want to browse. I couldn't imagine a better book on the subject.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars MGB MGC & MGB GT A celebration of Britain's best-loved sports car, August 24, 2008

By 

A. Reboredo (Bs As. Argentine) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: MGB MGC & MGB GT V8: A celebration of Britains best-loved sports car (Haynes Great Cars) (Hardcover)

It's a great book, that's make me feel like i'm living in the 60's, very complete, full of the information you could need to know if you are getting in the range of the sports cars