This great video has been making the rounds of the Internet for the past week or so, and how could I pass it up? In this video, Jay Leno drives a beautiful 1973 MGB that belongs to supplier Moss Motors. He also discusses the car with Robert Goldman who is not only Moss Motors’ chairman, but he also sits on the board of the British Sports Car Hall of Fame.
Ok, I have met Robert Goldman on a number of occasions and he is a great guy and knows more about MGs than most of us ever will, but you have to chuckle when he forgets which side of the car the bonnet release is on. Hey, I have a right-hand drive car as well as my US standard left-hand drive cars, so I know what it is like to forget which side of the car I should be heading to. I sympathize Robert!
While the MGB being examined is beautiful, it has also been very tastefully modified. From the most obvious addition of the supercharger to the more subtle modifications of things like hood struts, LEDs, wheels, aluminum radiator, and other after-market pieces it is a wonderful car that most MG fans would love to have.
You will, of course, hear most of the standard MGB and general British car jokes. From Lucas electrics to “wow, it started!” to the complexity of putting up the top – all the old tropes are fair game. Guess you can’t fault Leno for that. And overall, he is very complimentary of the car. And he also has more than a few kind words for Moss Motors themselves. Hey, can’t buy advertising like that.
I have to say that my favorite part of the video is when Leno drives the car. It is the sound of the engine and exhaust note that just makes me happy. Guess that is what it all comes down to, the joy of the drive. And I am a firm believer that the MGB – breathed on or not – has that in spades.
Michael Carnell is the editor and founder of the Just British Online Motoring Magazine. As a lifelong British car enthusiast, he has owned or driven British cars of all ages from Austins and MGs to Jaguars and Triumphs. He currently owns a 1966 Vanden Plas Princess 1100 and a 1977 MGB. But there is always room for more - no matter what his wife says.
