​The MGB GT was born out of a desire to create a more practical and comfortable variant of the MGB roadster, which had been launched in 1962. The roadster was a successful and popular car, but it had some limitations, such as a lack of luggage space, poor weather protection, and noisy ride. The idea was to add a fixed roof and a hatchback to the roadster, creating a 2 + 2 car that could accommodate two adults and two (smallish) children and their belongings, while still retaining the sporty character and performance of the MGB.
 
As early as January 1962 the Abingdon design team, under the direction of John Thornely, had been working on the MGB GT as EX277. The GT was firstly drawn up at Abingdon by Jim Stimson at the request of the MGB lead designer, Syd Enever. These drawings were shown to Longbridge who would have the final sign-off of the model and insisted that the rounded appearance of the roof lacked something.

Instructing that the design be sent to Pininfarina who had a contract to do design work for the company (hence the Farina Austin A40, Farina Austin Cambridge, Morris Oxford, Wolseley 16/60, Riley 4/72, MG Magnette), Pininfarina incorporated the feature line (crease) around the roof and made a protype which was not that much different from the original Abingdon designs. However even Jim Stimson admitted that this improved the looks of the car no end, resulting in a sleek and elegant design that blended harmoniously with the existing MGB chassis and mechanicals. The new car looked like a miniature Aston Martin DB5, with a sloping roofline, a large rear window, and distinctive B-pillars.

The MGB GT made its debut at the London Motor Show in October 1965, and it was an instant success. The car received rave reviews from the press and the public, who praised its looks, practicality, handling, and performance. The MGB GT offered many advantages over the roadster, such as better visibility thanks to an enlarged (deeper) windscreen compared to the roadster, more headroom  - although some say, like the TR7 adverts "the MGB Roadster has 93 million miles of headroom" (roof down of course)!, more boot space and better insulation from noise and vibration. The car also had improved aerodynamics, which increased its top speed by about 5 mph. The MGB GT was also in some markets cheaper than the roadster to insure, as it was classified as a saloon rather than a sports car.
 
The MGB GT was powered by the same 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine as the roadster, producing 95 horsepower and 110 lb-ft of torque. The engine was mated to a four-speed manual gearbox, with an optional overdrive unit. The overdrive operates on both 3rd and 4th gear giving it a 3rd+ and 5th gear or 6 forward ratios overall. The car had independent front suspension, leaf-spring rear suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, and disc brakes at the front and drums at the rear. The car weighed about 2,200 lbs, and could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 13 seconds. The car had a top speed of about 105 mph.
 
The MGB GT was produced until 1980, with some changes and improvements over the years. Some of the most notable ones were:

• In 1967, the car received a revised dashboard with rocker switches instead of toggle switches.
• The MK2 had a recessed grille imposed on Abingdon by Longbridge. The MK3 had the MK1 grille surround with an 'eggbox' grille in black which Abingdon designed to replace the recessed grille. The MK4 had rubber bumpers - see images below for comparison.
• The internal door handles were changed with the MK2 incorporating the Morris Marina internal door handles being used on many of the BL cars of the day and replacing the lever handles used on the MK1, which were also used in the MK1 Austin 1100 and UK-built Minis from MK2 on to the end of production.
• In 1971, the car received a new engine with larger valves and improved cylinder head, increasing the power output to 98 horsepower.
• In 1972, the car received a new gearbox with synchromesh on all gears instead of just three.
• In 1974, the car received rubber bumpers instead of chrome ones, to comply with US safety regulations. All MGB GTs use 165-14 tyres. The roadsters sent out with radial shoes were 155-14. The increased ground clearance on the rubber bumper models (roadster & GT) was achieved by raising the suspension which was a Californian legislative requirement to achieve a minimum bumper height..
• In 1975, the car received an electric cooling fan instead of a belt-driven one.

Written by John O'Cean.

​The Jaguar XJ6 is a luxury car that was first introduced in 1968 and became one of the most successful models in Jaguar’s history. The development of the XJ6 began in the early 1960s, when Jaguar was producing several different saloon models that competed with each other and were costly to maintain. Jaguar decided to create a new car that would replace all of them and offer a modern and elegant design, a refined and powerful engine, and a comfortable and spacious interior. The project was codenamed XJ4 and was led by William Heynes, the chief engineer, and William Lyons, the founder of Jaguar.

The XJ6 used the XK engine, a straight-six cylinder engine that had been in production since 1949 and had powered many of Jaguar’s sports cars and saloons. The XJ6 offered two versions of the XK engine: a 2.8-litre and a 4.2-litre. The XJ6 also featured independent front and rear suspensions, which improved the handling and ride quality of the car. The body of the XJ6 was designed by Lyons himself, who gave it a sleek and graceful shape, with a long bonnet, a short rear overhang, and a low roofline. The interior of the XJ6 was luxurious and spacious, with leather seats, wood trim, and chrome accents. The XJ6 also had many advanced features for its time, such as power steering, power windows, air conditioning, and disc brakes.

The XJ6 was launched in September 1968 and received critical acclaim from the automotive press and the public. It was praised for its beauty, performance, comfort, and quality. It was also very competitively priced compared to its rivals from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, or Rolls-Royce. The XJ6 quickly became Jaguar’s best-selling model and established new standards for the luxury car market. In 1972, Jaguar added a longer wheelbase version of the XJ6, called the XJ6L, which offered more legroom for the rear passengers. In the same year, Jaguar also introduced a new engine option for the XJ6: a 5.3-litre V12 engine, which made it the fastest four-door car in the world at that time. The V12 version of the XJ6 was called the XJ12.

The XJ6 underwent two major facelifts during its production life: in 1973 and in 1979. The first facelift, known as the Series II, gave the car a new front grille, revised bumpers, larger tail lights, and improved safety features. The second facelift, known as the Series III, gave the car a new roofline, redesigned windows, slimmer bumpers, and updated interior. The Series III also introduced a new fuel injection system for the engines, which improved their efficiency and reliability. The XJ6 remained in production until 1987 for the six-cylinder models and until 1992 for the V12 models. It was replaced by the second generation of the Jaguar XJ series.

The XJ6 was one of the most influential cars in Jaguar’s history and one of the most iconic cars of its era. It combined style, performance, comfort, and innovation in a way that few cars could match. It also represented the vision and legacy of William Lyons, who died in 1985. The XJ6 was not only a car but also a symbol of Jaguar’s excellence and heritage.

According to the web search results, the total number of models produced for the Jaguar XJ6 and XJ12 Series 1 and 2 are as follows:

• Jaguar XJ6 Series 1: 82,126 produced
• Jaguar XJ12 Series 1: 8,378 produced
• Jaguar XJ6 Series 2: 91,227 produced
• Jaguar XJ12 Series 2: 10,226 produced

The total number of models produced for the Jaguar XJ6 and XJ12 Series 1 and 2 is 191,957. This does not include the Daimler variants, which were marketed under a different brand name but shared the same chassis and engines as the Jaguar models.

​Join us at the UK’s biggest and best Classic Motor Show.  We will be displaying some fantastic classics on stand 5-672.  Members get discounted tickets if booked in advance at www.necclassicmotorshow.com by quoting the club code available here in the members-only section of our website.  

Below you can view the video from last year's show.

Are you a fan of vintage, classic and exotic cars and motorcycles? Do you want to see some of the most iconic and rare vehicles from around the world? Do you want to learn more about the history and culture of motoring? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you should not miss the Classic Motor Show 2023, the ultimate event for motoring enthusiasts.

The Classic Motor Show 2023 is shaping up as a global celebration of classic vehicles, featuring hundreds of exhibitors, clubs, dealers and traders, as well as exciting activities, competitions and entertainment. Whether you are looking for your next dream car, a spare part for your restoration project, or just a fun day out with your family and friends, the Classic Motor Show 2023 has something for everyone.

Here are some of the reasons why you should attend the Classic Motor Show 2023:

• See the best of the best: The Classic Motor Show 2023 hosts the Australian International Concours d’Elegance, a prestigious competition that showcases the finest and most elegant cars and motorcycles from different eras and countries. You will be amazed by the beauty, craftsmanship and innovation of these vehicles, as well as their stories and histories. You will also have a chance to vote for your favourite vehicle in the People’s Choice Award.
  
  
• Explore the diversity of motoring: The Classic Motor Show 2023 features a wide range of vehicles from different categories, such as sports cars, muscle cars, luxury cars, racing cars, motorcycles, trucks, buses, military vehicles and more. You will be able to see rare and unique models from famous brands like Ferrari, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Harley-Davidson, BMW and many others. You will also discover some of the lesser-known but equally fascinating vehicles from around the world.
  
  
• Meet the experts and enthusiasts: The Classic Motor Show 2023 is a great opportunity to meet and interact with some of the leading experts and enthusiasts in the motoring industry. You will be able to learn from their knowledge and experience, as well as share your own passion and stories. You will also be able to join various clubs and associations that cater to your specific interests and needs.
  
  
• Shop for your motoring needs: The Classic Motor Show 2023 offers a vast selection of products and services for your motoring needs. You will be able to find everything from parts and accessories, to tools and equipment, to books and magazines, to memorabilia and collectibles. You will also be able to browse through some of the best deals on classic cars and motorcycles from reputable dealers and auctioneers.
  
  
• Enjoy the entertainment and activities: The Classic Motor Show 2023 is not just about looking at vehicles, but also having fun with them. You will be able to enjoy various entertainment and activities throughout the event, such as live music, stunt shows, driving simulators, quizzes, games and more. You will also have a chance to ride in some of the classic vehicles on offer with HERO-ERA or Sporting Bears, while supporting some worthy children’s charities.
  
  

The Classic Motor Show 2023 is a must-attend event for anyone who loves classic vehicles. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will leave you inspired, informed and entertained. Don’t miss this chance to be part of the classic car community.

Book your tickets today! Members should click the button to reveal our exclusive club discount code then visit www.necclassicmotorshow.com and save £4 on Adult Day tickets.