Summer 2024

142 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R 2 0 2 4 Brand New Classics Pioneer ing Br itish EV Firm Unveils an Updated Iconic Roadster at Pebble Beach Concour s d’Elegance B Y M I CHA E L CHAT F I E LD I n the early 1960s, the United States was nearly a decade away from celebrating the bicentennial of its hard-fought independence from British rule. Paradoxically, they were also in a time when anything British was all the rage here—U.K. films and fashion were considered fab and the so-called musical “British Invasion” took over American airwaves, powered by groups like The Beatles,The Who,The Kinks,The Dave Clark Five andThe Rolling Stones.The Union Jack was seemingly everywhere, as were British automobiles manufactured by Jaguar, Triumph, Austin- Healey—and, especially, MG. The classic MGB (MG stands for Morris Garages, the English Midland’s firm that launched the brand in the 1920s) was introduced by British Motor Corporation (BMC) in 1962 and, with several modifications was produced until 1980. 513,276 of the snappy little roadsters and GT models were man- ufactured, mainly by hand, with more than half (298,052) crated up and shipped to the U.S. Modifications over the 19 years of production were the result of changing safety requirements and updated technologies. Now, more than four decades since the final MG was driven off the Abington fac- tory floor, another Midlands firm, RBW EV Cars, is driving this iconic British sports car body design into the 21st century, producing all-electric roadsters and GTs. They are set to debut at the 2024 Pebble Beach The 1960s-era British MG MGB remains a favorite sports car for its timeless styling and sheer driving fun. RBW EV Cars is unveiling the U.S. version of its electric roadster this summer. Photo: RKP Photography