1980 Aston-Martin MGB prototype
Aston-Martin MGB prototype photographs and technical data
Manufactured by: Norwest construction group
Model: 1980
Another bid to save the MGB in 1980
THE ASTON-MARTIN MGB PROTOTYPE
by Rick Feibusch
This striking MGB prototype was built by the Aston-Martin consortium
alongside their bid to acquire British Leyland (BL) at the end of days
for the MGB.
The consortium, which was comprised of Chairman Alan Curtis of Aston
Martin, David Wickens (BCA), Peter Cadbury, Lord George-Brown and the
Norwest construction group went public with plans to save Abingdon and
to acquire the rights to the MG brand name and the MGB.
This particular MGB Roadster was first registered in February, 1980 by
BL Cars Limited sales and marketing department and used there until it
was sold to Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd of Newport Pagnell to build the
prototype.
The Aston-Martin MGB was redesigned by William Towns, the designer of
the DBS, DBS V8 and AMV8 as well as the Aston Martin Lagonda. Project
engineer for Aston Martin, Keith Martin, was presented with the car
with the task of building the car for presentation in just six days!
With the help of Steve Hallam, Martin and a small team of trimmers and
bodymen went to work transforming the standard production MGB into
Williams Towns' upmarket redesign.
John Symonds, of Pressed Steel Fisher, where MGB bodies were produced
for years, was placed in charge of the Aston-Martin MGB rebuild. The
Aston-Martin MGB had a number of upgrades including a pair of Tickford
sport seats, an Astrali 13" steering wheel, a taller MGBGTGT
windscreen and surround, GT side windows, a custom fitted fabric
Tickford top. Black side mouldings, a modified front bumper/spoiler
and a special rear panel between the trunklid and bumper that was
fitted with fog & backup lights, and a set of Wolfrace alloy wheels
completed the design.
All of this was done and ready to show in a week, [on* (ed.)]
schedule. The finished car repainted in Silver Sand Metallic was
wheeled out of the Aston-Martin special projects workshop and the
consortium launched the Aston-MGB to the press in June 1980. Sadly
negotiations to buy BL failed and eventually committed the company to
closing Abingdon for good. This a truly collectible MGB that has been
enthusiast owned since 1984 and has gone less than 7,000 since new. A
fascinating glimpse at what might have been.
* varified by Dr Keith Martin, project manager.
Aston-Martin MGB Prototype 1980
Image Credit: Nutley Sports & Prestige Centre Ltd, Nutley, East Sussex, UK, 2012
Aston-Martin MGB Prototype 1980
Image Credit: Nutley Sports & Prestige Centre Ltd, Nutley, East Sussex, UK, 2012
Aston-Martin MGB Prototype 1980
Image Credit: Nutley Sports & Prestige Centre Ltd, Nutley, East Sussex, UK, 2012
Aston-Martin MGB Prototype 1980
Image Credit: Nutley Sports & Prestige Centre Ltd, Nutley, East Sussex, UK, 2012
Aston-Martin MGB Prototype 1980
Image Credit: Nutley Sports & Prestige Centre Ltd, Nutley, East Sussex, UK, 2012
Aston-Martin MGB Prototype 1980
Image Credit: Nutley Sports & Prestige Centre Ltd, Nutley, East Sussex, UK, 2012
Aston-Martin MGB Prototype 1980
Image Credit: Nutley Sports & Prestige Centre Ltd, Nutley, East Sussex, UK, 2012
Aston-Martin MGB Prototype 1980
Aston Martin Special Projects Workshop at Newport Pagnell
Image Credit: Dr Keith Martin Photo
Dr Keith Martin is a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, Dept. of Engineering and Innovation, Faculty of Maths, Computing and Technology, The Open University, Milton Keynes, (UK)
Aston-Martin MGB Prototype 1980
Aston Martin Special Projects Workshop at Newport Pagnell
Image Credit: Dr Keith Martin Photo
Aston-Martin MGB Prototype 1980
Aston Martin Special Projects Workshop at Newport Pagnell
Image Credit: Dr Keith Martin Photo
The following comments are from Dr Keith Martin;
"My pictures (originally taken from colour slides) are ... all three showing the car in the workshop. The metal worker is Ken Daniels. I took these during the busy 6/7 days referred to in the item.
[The image with the people in the background below (ed.)] (outside the factory) was from Roger Stowers, the (then) factory photographer and historian. Some of the others might be too but I can't be certain. Sadly Roger left the planet some years ago so I won't be able to confirm this.
Dr Keith Martin is a
Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering,
Dept. of Engineering and Innovation,
Faculty of Maths, Computing and Technology,
The Open University,
Milton Keynes,
(UK)
Aston-Martin MGB Prototype 1980
Aston Martin Special Projects
Image Credit: Roger Stowers Photo; Courtesy of Sports & Prestige Centre Ltd, Nutley, East Sussex, UK, 2012 and Rick Feibusch.
Aston-Martin MGB Prototype 1980
Aston Martin Special Projects
Image Credit: Nutley Sports & Prestige Centre Ltd, Nutley, East Sussex, UK, 2012
Aston-Martin MGB Prototype 1980
Aston Martin Special Projects
Image Credit: Nutley Sports & Prestige Centre Ltd, Nutley, East Sussex, UK, 2012
Aston-Martin MGB Prototype 1980
Aston Martin Special Projects
Image Credit: Nutley Sports & Prestige Centre Ltd, Nutley, East Sussex, UK, 2012
Aston-Martin MGB Prototype 1980
Drawing by William Towns,
Image Credit: Dr Keith Martin Photo
Above, "William Towns' sketches - all we had to work from !" notes Dr Keith Martin, project manager.
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