Classic Car Platforms

The British Roadster has an honored place in the motoring world. Emerging in post-WWII Europe and embraced by US soldiers during their tours in Germany, France, and England. Some early models made their way home with US servicemen, and later were imported and sold directly to the American public. Small, lightweight, responsive, and fun to drive -- these open-top two-seaters quickly found favor with auto enthusiasts and even inspired early versions of the Corvette and Thunderbird.  By sheer numbers, none was more successful than the MGB. Offered mostly unchanged from 1962 through 1980 with over half a million examples produced, the vast majority convertible roadsters with a 1.8L 4 cylinder engine and a 4-speed manual. While all models produced were similar, they can be broken down into three groups. The first version offered from 1962 through 1967 is considered the purest with the final two years having sorted most issues. The next version was introduced in 1968 and offered thr...

Call me agest if you like, but those of us who collect and enjoy classic cars have usually spent more time on this earth. Some feel that caring for a classic car, keeping it running and in some cases restoring it back to its original glory, can illustrate an appreciation for things of a bygone age. When successful, we are able to delay the inevitable ravages of time on the machines in our care that also relentlessly takes its toll on the physical bodies of the owners. If our cars last beyond their planned usefulness, then why not us? 1968 MG B For some cars in my collection, I do just that: I think of myself as a curator so I attempt the car as close to the original as possible. My 1967 MGB until recently still had a generator, is positive ground, and has the original hard-to-maintain air filters. For the most part, it looks and runs as much as it was intended when it left the factory. For me, there is something magical about zooming around in an 80 HP lightweight nimble sp...