In 1966, SMITHS Instruments began supplying speedometers, tachometers and other gauges for MG sports cars including the MGB GT, MGB Roadster and MGB Grand Tourer. At the time, the MG was manufactured and marketed by the British Motor Corporation (BMC).
MG (Morris Garage) was founded in the UK in 1924 by W R Morris. In 1952, MG was merged with Austin in the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and, with the creation of British Leyland Motor Corporation in 1968, MG changed ownership, ultimately becoming part of the MG Rover Group in 2000. Sadly, the group went into receivership in 2005, but the MG brand was salvaged when purchased by Nanjing Automobile Group.
The ‘MG’ brand was best known as a two-seater sports car with both a hard and soft top. Famous owners included Prince Charles and even actress Sharon Stone.
Between 1966 and 1967, Smiths Instruments featured in the dashboards of the MG MGB GT, MGB Roadster and the MGB Grand Tourer. The original concept for the car came from MG General Manager John Thornley, who conceived the MGB as a poor man’s Aston Martin.
The Roadster was the first in the MGB range and had been in manufacture since 1962. The two-seater sports car was slightly larger than that preceding MGA and modifications to the suspension gave the driver a smoother ride. A larger engine also increased the top speed. In 1968, following a design revamp, MG launched the Mark II Roadster.
The MGB GT, with a novel fixed-roof, was introduced in 1965 and was one of the first sports cars to have a sporty ‘hatchback’ style. The GT was larger with rear seats for two passengers and more luggage space. The MGB GT also sported a ‘greenhouse’, designed by Italian car designer Pininfarina, where the body of the vehicle above the beltline is comprised mostly of glass.
The MGB dashboard featured a range of gauges designed and manufactured by Smiths including:
CAI still manufacture and supply MG gauges in the UK today using the original tooling and drawings.
Classic MGs, such as the MG Midget, MGA, MGB, MGB GT V8, and MGC, all used gauges designed and built by SMITHS Instruments. Many of these gauges are available today, built using the original drawings.
For further information on SMITHS gauges for classic MG sports cars, please contact us on:
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Phone: +44 (0) 1639 732200