Hmm,,,,shoud this really be posted in "other cars"

[terriphill]

Hmm,,,,shoud this really be posted in "other cars"

Found this on e-bay....looks vaguely familiar...

British Influence????

 

[Steve]

Re: Hmm,,,,shoud this really be posted in "other cars"

I believe that the Datsun came before the MGB! It's rather interesting, because the Datsun was introduced in 1962, and the MGB was launched in May of that year, so there was not enough time for either company to copy from the other, but there are some real similarities between the two cars.

 

[tony barnhill]

Re: Hmm,,,,shoud this really be posted in "other cars"

Sunbeam Alpine...

 

[coldplugs]

Re: Hmm,,,,shoud this really be posted in "other cars"

Front end from the Renault Caravelle that I think predated everything mentioned. Overall config from general spider shapes used by the Italians in the 1950's. My 2 cents.

 

[billspohn]

Re: Hmm,,,,shoud this really be posted in "other cars"

The engines had similarities to the B series - except that the Datsun engines were better. Fair trade off, I guess, as the styling was inferior.

Then they got it all together in 1969 with excellent mechanicals and killer looks - the 240Z. How they could later drop the ball on more recent styling jobs I'll never understand.

John may ne onto something on the Italian connection - ever take a dood look at a Fiat 1200 convert?

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Re: Hmm,,,,shoud this really be posted in "other cars"

Great cars! I had a '69 2000 and loved it. Very quick, and with the 5-speed, really good mileage. (Even though no one cared back then!)

The only aspect I didn't care for was the tall windshield of the later ones like mine. Changed the profile of the car completely.

 

[tony barnhill]

Re: Hmm,,,,shoud this really be posted in "other cars"

Engine was closer to a Sunbeam than MG

 

[William]

Re: Hmm,,,,shoud this really be posted in "other cars"

John may ne onto something on the Italian connection - ever take a dood look at a Fiat 1200 convert?

Indeed, one common descriptor of the MGB's styling is "Italianate". With the exception of the grille on the earlier B- which is very chromey, all vertical bars and big central badge, and very British-I've never considered the styling to be very "regional". It's a remarkably clean design, when you get right down to it, good from all angles, and without any fussy detailing.

-Wm.