Introduced 1962 - 1971 Number built – 116,827 cars - all versions
Discounting the 'modern' MG saloons under the Metro, Maestro and Montego banner, the BMC 1100 based MG saloons were the top selling car in Britain for many years. Over 3 million 1100/1300 variants were produced between 1962 and 1973 with the MG versions proving to be amongst the most popular. The 1100 was quite revolutionary and was described in all the promotional literature as "the most advanced MG of all time!" This statement no doubt raised a few eyebrows from the ranks of the diehard enthusiasts and the car was at the time a most unwelcome piece of badge engineering. Launched at the same time as the all-new MGB, the 1100 was somewhat overshadowed by the long awaited MGA replacement.
Nonetheless the 1100 had its part to play in the success of BMC in the early sixties. Originally there were plans to produce an MG version of the revolutionary Issigonis Mini that was introduced in 1959 that had dominated the small family saloon market for some time. However the Cooper name had become a household name after the specialist racing car manufacturer had won the World Constructors Championship twice and this was capitalised on by a Cooper version of the Mini. John Cooper sold the idea to BMC and both Austin and Morris versions were produced to cash in on the Cooper name. This immediately shelved any ideas of an MG badge engineered high performance Mini. Many design exercises were produced by the Abingdon Drawing Office, some of which were two seater based but sadly the Coopers won the day particularly as the Mini's designer Alec Issigonis did not think that the revolutionary front wheel drive set up was suitable for a sports car. BMC needed however a small saloon car to market alongside the fairly large Magnette saloon which by now was in Farina Mark IV style. The American market was judged as being ready for an MG 'compact' and with this in mind the badge engineered MG 1100 was launched nearly a year after the first Austin/Morris versions were first seen. Despite the lukewarm welcome the car was an outstanding success from its introduction in September 1962. The MG version was far better appointed throughout, with a twin carburettor engine and a distinctive MG front grille. It was capable of carrying 4 adults with comfort, whereby the Mini would prove cramped. The advanced Hydrolastic fluid suspension provided exceptional ride characteristics and it was the first time that this system had been used on an MG. This new kind of suspension used a water based anti-freeze damping fluid to apply dynamic force to rubber cone spring units. The fluid provided the necessary damping medium to the suspension, thus eliminating the need for shock absorbers altogether.
Hydrolastic suspension also removed the pitching problems associated with standard suspension because front and rear units were interconnected. Pitching movements were all but eliminated because shocks to the suspension were instantly smoothed out by an interchange of fluid between front and rear. The 1098 cc, A Series engine was mounted transversely in the front sub frame and carried an integral gearbox along the same lines as the Mini with drive through the front wheels. A top speed of 88 mph was easily achievable with the engine producing 55 bhp @ 5,500 rpm and with good acceleration to match it was as quick as any of its predecessors. The 1100 was available in two door form initially with 4 door versions following later, it was felt that two doors went better with the sporting MG image! The two door version was to spearhead the attack on the American small car market which in 1962 was dominated by Volkswagen. The MG Sports Sedan as it was known cost £949, however there was a problem identifying which market MG were aiming at with literature and promotional films showing it as an ideal shopping car and at the other extreme, a car suitable for club racing, either way the car sold slowly with nearly 28,000 being sold over a period of 5 years.
By 1967 the 1100 was beginning to look somewhat dated and its initial good performance, economy and handling were being surpassed by competitors. The complete range of 1100 saloons were then given a face lift and uprated. The MG version now sported a 1275 cc engine and the two door body was offered as an option. The fascia and instrumentation was dramatically improved and although initially known as the MG 1275 it was soon adopted as the MG 1300. Four speed automatic transmission was an option but in this case a single SU carburettor was employed. In manual form the engine produced a healthy 70 bhp and the model remained virtually the same until it was discontinued in 1971 in favour of the Austin 1275 GT, the only changes being in 1969 when the four door option and automatic transmission were dropped. There were other proposed MG versions of the 1100 that never saw full scale production, one being an MG badged Vanden Plas Princess that very soon changed its identity back to Vanden Plas in 1964. The BMC Spanish subsidiary, Authi, did produce an MG 1100 built under licence alongside Minis, they were very similar to their English counterpart except they were left hand drive and carried Spanish instrumentation. A stillborn MG Victoria made an appearance at the Barcelona Motor Show in 1973 but never went on sale to the public, this was similar to a stretched Triumph Dolomite and was adorned with MG badges and a Downton tuned engine. This was to be the last of the MG saloons until the arrival of the MG Metro in 1982.
Brief technical specifications…
Engine: 4 cylinder, transversely mounted.
Capacity: 1098cc.
Bore & Stroke: 64.6mm x 83.7mm.
Max torque: 61 Ib/ft at 2750 rpm.
Max power: 55 bhp at 5,500 rpm.
Gearbox: 4 speed synchromesh on 2,3 & 4 or automatic.
Brakes: Hydraulic disc at front, 8" drums at rear.
Wheels: Ventilated pressed steel 4J x 12
Suspension: Front; independent wishbone with Hydrolastic displacers. Rear; independent with trailing arms incorporating Hydrolastic displacers.
Number built: 116,827 Body types: 2 door and 4 door saloon.
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