1966 MGB Roadster
Anushan Selvarajah falls in love with this roadster’s powerful performance
Throttling its way into Living’s Classic Car column this month is the 1966 MGB roadster. The manufacture of this feisty little machine began in 1958 with a prototype codenamed ‘MG EX205.’ Official production of the car began in 1963 and continued until 1980 with over 500,000 units being produced.
The MGB was known for its fairly simple but robust performance and design. And its 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine came with a four-speed gearbox. In theory at least, the electric overdrive is able to hit a top speed of 165 kmph and the zero to100 kmph barrier in a little over 12 seconds.
This particular darling is owned by Yevinda Amarasekara. And being his first car, it has a special place in his heart. Yevinda bought it in 1996 in relatively good condition but proceeded to wipe years off its facade – everything was imported and replaced, and the work was completed in 1998. And this restoration has lasted 22 years thanks to his constant care and maintenance.
With the stable power that the BMC Austin B-Series engine brings, coupled with its smooth curves, there’s no doubt that the MGB is a veritable gem. Yevinda says that this beauty has participated in almost all club rallies in Colombo and even longer runs beyond the city.
And he did take it out on the expressway from Colombo to Katunayake to see what the car can do on an open stretch of road...
The throaty growl followed by a healthy thrum coming from inside this diminutive vehicle gives credence to the authentic powerhouse that the MGB is; and its performance was so impressive that it gave us goosebumps!