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While the British enjoyed MGs prior
to World War II, and sports cars were common throughout
England and Europe, the newly discovered MG was a novelty
in the United States when introduced just after the
war. Even as popularity of the MG grew, so grew the
dissimilarity between American cars. As MGs became more
modern and tasteful looking, Detroit iron sprouted fins
and chrome and got larger each year. A comparison makes
the point.
| Literature |
Specifications |
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1958 MGA 1500 Roadster
Engine size: 68 h.p., 1489cc 4-cylinder
Maximum top speed: 97 m.p.h.
Weight: 1,997 pounds
Price: $2,462 |
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1958 Buick Roadmaster Convertible
Engine size: 300 h.p., 4966cc v-8
Maximum top speed: 99 m.p.h.
Weight: 4,676 pounds
Price: $4,680 |
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The only similar statistic is the top
speeds. But to go that fast Buick has an engine four
times as large and four times as powerful because it
weighs twice as much — but it also costs twice
as much. On the other hand, the MGA has superior handling
and gets much better gas mileage. The high points of
the Buick are luxury and plenty of interior and storage
room.
But what were MGs like to drive when they arrived in
America? Tom McCahill, who was known for his road tests
of American cars for Mechanix Illustrated, praised
American cars but, after his "race" against
an MG in 1948 he began road testing sports cars, too.
His fondness for sports cars becomes obvious in his
1954 book The Modern Sports Car:
"Back in 1948 I had a private, unofficial race
with an MG from Los Angeles to San Francisco, nearly
500 miles. I was driving a particularly hot 1948 Mercury
and the guy in the MG almost made me rip the skin from
my bones, trying to stay with him. When I arrived in
San Francisco I was completely exhausted from pulling
every trick in the book, time and again, just to keep
the little egg crate in sight. What annoyed me was that
the driver displayed no effort whatsoever, and I was
working so hard."
So, is the 1958 MGA more collectible than the 1958 Buick?
This is one collector who has had a love affair with
both. An odd combination? Or just two great cars? That
is what makes this hobby so interesting.
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1958 |
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MG did not stop with sports cars. They
built family transportation, too. Although more scarce
than the sports cars, they did find homes with those
who wanted a car that was smaller, sportier and more
economical than a Buick.
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1954 |
1959 |
1961 |
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