1968 MGC Convertible

By the late 1960s the MGB, now with a 1.8-liter engine, had been in production for five years and was firmly established in the hearts of enthusiasts around the world. Its performance, however, was outpaced by sports models and-on occasion-tuned sedans from other factories. The engineers at MG's Abingdon works knew there was plenty of development in the B's compact unitary bodyshell and running gear, and in 1967 the 3-liter MGC-GT and roadster were unveiled at the Earls Court Motor Show.

BMC had shoehorned into the B's bodyshell a seven-main-bearing, 2912-cc straight-six engine with pushrod valves and twin SU carburetors, evolved from that used in the big Austin-Healey.

The new engine yielded 150 horsepower, significantly better than the four-cylinder's 95 horsepower, and endowed the C with a top speed in excess of 125 miles per hour. However, the long engine dictated that a front cross-member be removed and torsion bar independent front...