Fast Facts

• Best model: Roadster
• Worst model: Automatic
• Budget buy: GT
• OK for unleaded?: No
• Will it fit in the garage? (mm): mm L 3880x W 1520
• Spares situation: Very good
• DIY ease?: Like an MGB really
• Club support: Unsurpassed
• Appreciating asset?: At long last

Magazine Subscription

Subscribe to Classic Motoring Magazine and save over 20%

Subscribe NOW

Available at all good newsagents including WHSmith

Big-engined MGB with emphasis on a lazy touring nature. Lacks handling agility of MGB but also has endearing qualities of its own that are now being appreciated Did MG get it wrong or was it the fault of the horrid press? That's always the question posed by the MGC. Designed to replace the Big Healey with a similar six-pot engine, it was a sales flop with only 8999 made, the MGC’s reputation sullied as soon as it left the production line. The press, who like enthusiasts were itching for a buzzier B, fairly slated the car as soon it reached the first corner in the road. Apparently BLMC, as it was back then, made a massive cock up with the tyre pressure settings on the road test cars, resulting in terminal understeer and that’s were the MGC got its poor reputation from. And it’s one that stuck for most of the car's 45 year life… But thankfully it’s all in the past now because today the MGC is one of the most coveted of the MGB family yet is as easy to run as a normal MGB and costs not that much more to buy.

HISTORY

MG had eyes on making a six-pot sports car along the lines of the Healey before the MGB was launched.  Was the MGC a replacement for the Austin? The official line is that it’s just a coincidence the MG came out just as the A-H drove off into the sunset…

1967 Although it looks much the same car, under that familiar skin were a lot of changes. The front floorpans had to be redesigned because the B’s beefy crossmember had to be swapped for a smaller, less sturdy item. This meant that the front suspension also had to be changed to longitudinal torsion bars with telescopic shock absorbers.

Although the engine bay was accommodating enough the (larger) radiator was moved forward eight inches while the taller engine necessitated a quite nice power bulge. Because of the extra weight over the front axle, the wheels grew to become 15 inch items.

While the engine actually was the same in cubic capacity as the Healey unit, it wasn’t the same one.  The new six pot was part Australian (known as Blue Streak), part C Series that was developed by Morris with a beefier seven bearing crankshaft. Though two inches shorter than the Austin ‘six’ it still weighed 210lb more than the old B-Series.

The MGC was launched in both roadster and GT forms for the October London Motor Show costing £1163 with overdrive, £25 less than the Healey 3000 which ran in parallel for a short while.

1968 This year saw the only significant changes to the car, majoring on revising the gearing to improve acceleration for ‘69 cars. A closer ratio gearbox gearbox was also employed and reclining seats were now fitted and the bonnet was changed from alloy to steel. 1969 Despite the 9000 made, which certainly dwarfs the number of MGB GT V8s sold, MG gave up with the C after just two years and the final cars rolled out of Abingdon that sunny September, the last car being a Primrose Yellow GT after HRH Prince Charles received one for his 21st Birthday. However large stocks of unsold cars meant that buyers could have one until early 1971. University Motors took 200 and tuned them with Downton (of Cooper S fame) tuned engines.

DRIVING AND PRESS COMMENTS

In reality, things aren’t necessarily as bad as you been led all these years. Yes, the MGC does feel lazy and it’s more ponderous than the B but set up properly, it’s really quite nice, especially if running on modern 185 section tyres over the original 165 although that added 210lb up front will always lead to understeer when pushed. The less direct steering fitted to the six pot (3.5 turns lock-to-lock against the B’s more direct 2.9) to lighten the helm highlights the point.

That big slow spinning six never gave the car the performance of the Healey but the car’s forte has always been its relaxed easy-going attitude. Gearing of up to 27mph/1000rpm sees the six-pot engine turning over at a less than 4000rpm @ 100mph. It’s not fast, even by 1967 standards. 0-60mph was stop-watched at ten seconds and the MG was all cried out at 118mph but the 170lbft of torque which sadly doesn’t manifest itself until the rev counter’s needle passes the 3000rpm mark, largely compensates and economy was only slightly inferior to an MGB.

The press had a lot to say – mostly negative. “Enthusiasts familiar with the masculine behaviour of the Austin Healey 3000 may find the performance of the new car disappointing,” said Motor, adding that the clumsy heavy nature of the MGC “… rather discourages the kind of hard cornering a sports car fan is likely to indulge in”. However it conceded that the MGC was better sprung and balanced than an MGB, especially at higher speeds. Autocar took a similar view remarking that the C lacked that special Abgindon touch. It was more appreciative of the car as a GT in automatic form in ‘68 (of which just 120 were made), finding the performance mostly unaffected by the quite abrupt, self shifter and with the gearing still relatively high at 22mph@1000rpm, so ideal for touring, returning up to 25mpg at one point.

It also thought the handling wasn’t as understeer-prone. “This automatic C more nearly succeeds in what it sets out to achieve than does the open sports car.”

PRICES

The curious thing about MGB values is that they are remarkably similar irrespective of model and an MGC needn’t be appreciably dearer to buy over either the 1.8 MGB or an MGBGT V8. Naturally, roadsters are worth significantly more than GTs by around £2000-£3000. A decent GT makes a worthy £6000-£7000 while a roadster is closer to £9000. Autos don’t seem to detract from today’s values. Cracking Cs are five figures and £20,000 isn’t unknown.

IMPROVEMENTS

Tuning parts for the MGC were around, although not that popular, and are coveted today – ditto the run-out University Motors specials. Engine mods can see around 175-185bhp but it’s the suspension that really needs upgrading with better damping. Modern, wider radials (185 section) are a must but steering effort will be significantly higher so don’t go for too small a steering wheel as a result. Thankfully a power steering kit has recently been developed, not cheap but well worth considering. Poly bushing is advised while MG Motorsport markets three types of anti-roll bar for around £120 and uprated torsion bars. At the rear telescopics can be substituted for around £200 although they worsen the ride as do uprated parabolic leaf springs – although the latter are desirable. The ultimate is a sophisticated five link conversion from Frontline Developments (01235 832632) but you’re looking at well over £1500 for it.

Better breathing, that’s what this engine needs. Sports air filters and exhaust from MG Motorsport plus a Downton-style exhaust manifold ekes out another 10-15bhp. The engine is already well served with twin 1.75 SUs which can be rejetted although it performs much better on an £1800 triple Weber DCOE set up after attention to the Weslake 12 port cylinder head (MG Motorsport has various stages available. Fit an electronic ignition on all. More detailed tuning involves a racier camshaft and lightening the fl ywheel both which really help the engine rev happier.

Three Of A Kind

MGB V8S

Second stab at making a faster MGB instigated by Ken Costello just as MGC died. Factory effort the better developed, but comes in lower Range Rover tune plus is GT only. Car sold worse than MGC and rarer but prices lag . MGR of 1990s is good take of modernising the MGB and 190bhp V8 is well quick. Amazingly the RV8 is no dearer to buy than a V8 or even a normal MGB for that matter.

TRIUMPH TR5/6

Closet rival came from in-house Triumph around the same time with the six pot TR5; 2.5-litres with fuel injection for 150bhp. Much more rapid and eager than MGC but handling as antiquated. TR6 launched soon after with squarer styling; it’s much more popular but top TR5s now sell for serious money. PI system can be made reliable and virtually all you need to restore one is available.

AUSTIN-HEALEY 3000

Flashback more than 50 years ago and the Big Healey was the MGC of its day. And the car certainly remained better loved than the MGC which was designed to replace it. There are three versions of the 3000, all improved and refi ned as the years went on although there’s no escaping its vintage feel which is notable over the newer MG. Appeals to traditionalists as their rising values prove.