Re:MGB - the greatest sportscar of all time?

[George Graves <gmgraves@domain.elided>]

on 7/8/02 12:22 PM, alfa-digest at owner-alfa-digest@domain.elided wrote:

> 
> Date: Mon, 8 Jul 2002 09:49:41 -0400
> From: "Greg Stewart" <gt_veloce@domain.elided>
> Subject: MGB - the greatest sportscar of all time?
> 
> My local newspaper is running an article next Friday in their "Wheels"
> section titled "MGB - The Greatest Sportscar of All Time".  I've already
> started composing a letter to the editor to rebut this absurd claim, but
> would appreciate any additional ammunition my fellow digesters might be able
> to provide.
> 
> So, let me have it - I need reasons why the Alfa Romeo Spider is a more
> appropriate choice than the MGB for "The Greatest Sportscar of All Time"
> 
> Cheers,
> Greg Stewart
> Ottawa, Canada
> 1974 GTV


Well, there's no accounting for taste, of course, but this MIGHT help

MGB:
Introduced - 1962

95-97 Horsepower @5400rpm from Introduction 1962 to last US/Canadian Model
1975.
1800 cc cast-iron I-4 engine single cam-in-block with overhead valves from
an Austin sedan.
SU Carburetors and SU electric fuel pump (most unreliable fuel pump in
history).
Lucas electrics (The British Prince of Darkness)
Disc brakes front, tiny cast-iron drums, rear.
4-speed transmission with questionable synchronizers on first and second.
Hard to erect convertible top. A miserable rag at best, one which does
little to keep occupants dry, but at least had roll-up windows. Something
new for British sports cars.
Tight squeeze for most tall and/or older (read that portly) adults
0-60 - 12.2 sec.
Top Speed - 103 mph

Alfa Giulia Spider Veloce:
Introduced - 1962

122 hp @6000 available in Giulia Veloce
1600 cc Dual Overhead Cam all-aluminum I-4 engine
Dual Webber 2-barrel Carburetors (Giulia spider Veloce), Bosch electric fuel
pump.
Robert Bosch Electrics
Brakes - Disc all around.
5-speed all synchromesh transmission. A pleasure to shift (at least until
weak 2nd gear synchro goes out).
Easy to erect convertible top that actually keeps out the elements. Alfa
spiders had roll-up windows going all the way back to the first production
Giulietta spiders in 1956.
Lots of interior room for size of car.
0-60 - (Giulia Spider Veloce) 10.6 Sec.
Top Speed - (Giulia Spider Veloce) 115 mph.

Of course, the Alfa Spider continued to be sold long after the MGB was gone
from these shores, and as such continued to improve with later models
(Duetto and Spider) offering up to 130 HP from 2 liters and fuel injection.

Overall, Alfa handled better, was more fun to drive (subjective), stopped
better and was much more reliable, had more interior room and better seats.

It also cost considerably more (US$3800 for the Spider Veloce vs US$2500 for
MGB) and was more expensive to maintain.

Rust protection is about a wash. Neither the MGB nor the contemporary Alfas
had very good rust protection.  Alfa build quality was marginally better
than MG. And (subjective, again) the Alfa is certainly prettier.

George Graves
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