The Complete Works

HM-CTT1908 28/07/2014 | 0

It always a pleasure to visit Doug Smith at MG Motorsport in Bovingdon, near Hemel Hempstead, because you can be sure of a warm welcome and also be confident that there will be something of MG interest to see. Doug’s business covers all aspects of MG restoration, tuning and servicing and in particular he specialises in building historic race MGBs. Doug’s cars are always restored to the highest standard, immaculately prepared, and can be seen racing at all the main historic events, Hockenhiem, Spa and Le Mans.

MG Motorsport has also taken a specific interest in the MGC and has built up considerable expertise in dealing with these models. In particular they have developed an MGC five-speed gearbox conversion which is available as a complete kit including a cast aluminium bellhousing, propshaft, crossmember, gear lever and fully reconditioned gearbox. MG Motorsport are also a British Motor Heritage Specialist, and stock Genuine BMC/Rover panels as well as Special Tuning parts for the MGB and MGC.

Rob Scahill’s MGB V8 at MG Motorsport

Very well finished inside – note the excellent Rideguard seats and the lack of window winders

Preparing an early MGB shell

Smooth rear valence

On this occasion I’d been invited to take a ride in Rob Scahill’s 1963 MGB which at first glance I took to be a well-prepared works specification car. It had that solid business-like appearance, bumpers removed but fitted with special tuning front and rear valences integrated smoothly into the wings, minilite style alloys, the body is sprayed in smart Jaguar Dark Racing Green paintwork, all finished off with a White works hardtop.

At first glance it appeared to be a very presentable early MGB in race/rally trim however after a quick look under the alloy bonnet I formed a very different impression. Sitting neatly in the engine bay was a Rover V8 with Holley carb under a huge round chrome air filter, the exhaust manifolds were stainless items but they were not fed through the inner wings but directed down the side of the engine bay in the style of original MGB GT V8. In the front of the bay was the MGOC power steering pump and Kenlowe fan to assist engine cooling, on the bulkhead was a fuel filter and pressure regulator. The engine had been rebuilt by Doug Smith at MG Motorsport, it was fully balanced and also fitted with a fast road cam. Power is transmitted through a T5 gearbox and then transferred to the road via a John Hoyle fully independent rear suspension set-up. At the front is a modified RV8 crossmember also with coil-over shocker suspension units.

How does it go?

V8 engines are great but not noted for their smoothness, however in this department the tuned unit fitted was strangely deceptive, being extremely well balanced, it quickly spun up and delivered the power in really snappy fashion, more in the manner of a smaller capacity high revving unit. The muted exhaust note added to the deception, it was the kick in the back from the acceleration and blurring of the scenery that gave away the rapidity of this MGB’s progress. The surefooted suspension meant that the car sat squarely and all the power went straight onto the road rather than spinning the wheels. The 15” Minilite style wheels are shod with 195×60 R15’s and from my brief excursion in the MGB they certainly coped with the power and worked well with the independent suspension. A nifty space saver wheel/tyre sits in the boot which is adequate to get you home in the event of a puncture.

This MGB looks like a works car and drives like a works car but still has a few other surprises, a much more civilized interior for example. The cockpit is not that of the usual stripped out race car but fully trimmed, neat and functional, in fact remarkably original, with a black steel dash fitted with standard switchgear, early style centre console, black trim and carpets. The rally seats dominate the cockpit and these are Rideguard RS9s designed to take a full harness and are upholstered in black leather. These classic rally seats are incredibly comfortable and supportive; they also seem wider than the typical race seat and therefore don’t pinch your thighs as you slide into place. These excellent seats work well in combination with the full harness belts to ensure that both driver and passenger are secure and safely located, which is essential to cope with forces created when cornering.

The absence of window winders is a clue that this MGB has electric windows with the switches neatly incorporated into the centre speaker console. In keeping with all these other modern innovations the MGB also has state of the art security and central locking.

Rob wanted to have all the character, looks and sheer style of a works MGB but with all the very best of modern updates, hence the independent suspension, five speed box, power steering and V8 powerplant. Rob really enjoys the MGB, he has spent a lot of time and effort to get the specification just right and now he drives it whenever he can. If you are looking for a fully prepared purpose built historic race MGB or just a sound original example then have a look on Doug’s website www.mgmotorsport.com or give him a call on 01442 832019