Retro Road Test Volkswagen Eos & MG B
May 19, 2008 by Matt Brogan
Originally the B was meant to have been in production for only five years, but due to unprecedented demand went on to be produced until 1980 when the last two examples were produced in October of that year (production for the Australian market having ceased in 1972).
The MG B (typical and as tested) was fitted with a 1.8 litre four cylinder overhead valve (pushrod operated) engine with twin SU (HS4) carburettors boosting the celebrated engine’s performance to 71kW @ 5,500rpm and a respectable 149Nm from 3,000rpm.
A four speed manual transmission with no synchro on first offered a great spread of cogs for a claimed 0-100km/h time of 12.2 seconds, something our test candidate seemed almost capable of even in it’s lack lustre condition. Electric overdrive offered comfortable and efficient cruising and was operated by a flick of the switch and a quick pop of the clutch.
Being a light car with rear wheel drive the MG is a delight to drive, and despite its age is still very popular with enthusiasts and car lovers alike. The little wave from other MG drivers in passing is reassurance that the little B is still very much adored among those who’ve taken the classic to heart.
Roof off, the MG allows an enjoyment of motoring that seems lost in many modern replications. That feeling of motion, the smell of the crisp autumn breeze and the aural symphony between the throaty twin SUs induction note and that classic tail pipe concerto, it’s easy to get lost in it all.
The MG’s exhaust note has to be one of the most recognisable and distinctive sounds in motoring and sure to prick the ears of even the most die hard V8 fan, especially north of 3,500rpm. It’s not loud, it’s hardly ground pounding, but it has a raspy little bark that has not been emulated since.
Having owned a few classic cars in my time, and occasionally being lost in their nostalgia, I am nonetheless very relieved to jump back in a modern vehicle once the trip down memory lane is over.
Eos is of course a far more modern approach to motoring and although derived from the Passat (PQ46) platform is a stand alone model. Representing the best of both worlds the Portuguese built Eos was first introduced at the Geneva motor show in 2004 and offers the flexibility of enjoying either a smart, practical coupe – with a sunroof no less – or at the push of a button, and some 25 seconds, a beautiful open air convertible to see and be seen in.
You may very well be onto something here. The sort of people you see in the Eos are very much like the descendents of those =with funny caps who were seen in Morris Oxford convertibles (sorry, MGBs) in the late sixties.
The condition of that MG looks OK in photos. DOn’t suppose you guys have the same problems with wire worm as we do in wet n soggy UK.
Mines the EOS too – but in diesel format please. Regardig the wind maker, i’m sure my wife will tell you I already have enogh on that. Ha Ha
What about the Alfa Spyder 2000 series with a manual fabric roof which you could drop or put up on the fly in less than 15 secs. A whole lot better looking and a much better performer than the rather slow MGB.
True – I was more an Austin Healey fan myself when all is said and done, and yes Alfas were brilliant then too, but sadly the MG was my only option given the time frame.
MG capable of nearly 1g cornering??? Don’t dare put a small bump in the road while attempting this!!!! And make sure you’re running slicks as well…..
Mazda cashed in big time on the market that sadly missed the MG-B’s demise.
My accountant (60+) is a diehard MG afficionado and has a number of them, all have been fully restored, and a couple are daily drivers. I’ll have to suggest to him that he get an EOS (with the amount he charges me, he’ll easily be able to afford it) as it should suit his ageing image a little better!
It’s great occasionally to see how far we’ve come in the motoring world – the old saying “they don’t make them like they used to” is so, so true – thankfully :)
1g – a Pal of mine has a Jensen Healey which could do 1g. Awsome
Another vote for the Alfa Spyder. Mum used to have one when I was a kid and she’d let me sit on her lap and turn on the indicators. Haha, imagine doing that in this day and age!
Nice article, thanks. Kind of pointless, but valuable and enjoyable all at the same time.
Retro Road Test is an awesome idea. Looking forward to seeing more of them!
Eos looks lively, I am not sure if it targets the same market with the MG B but it sures is an excellent attempt by VW to enter a french dominated market.
Does anyone else not see how badly mis-matched these two cars are? Other than both being ‘convertibles’, where else are the similarities? I absolutely love the idea of a retro comparison, but this article is like comparing a new Bentley with a 70’s Ford LTD just because they have ‘big chrome grilles’. All of the articles on CarAdvice are excellent, well researched, on topic and well written – this one is no exception, except that it is kind of pointless and frustrating. If future retro compo’s are going to be written, I’d prefer the subject cars to have some tangible relevance to each other. Like I said, great idea though.
2 similar style cars that offer similar experiences to their owners. would have been similar cost when new and probably marketed to and purchased by similar people. both cars fall into the not cheap but not expensive fun, enjoyable convertable category.
the cars are what 30 years apart so obvioulsy they are going to be wildly mechanically different, however, Im not seeing your point Shaun, perhaps you might you might need to explain your point of view.
of course, if on rainy days water makes its way into the EOS cabin from all angles like the MG they would have to be perfect for comparison…..
Mmmmm MGB classic. Veedub not and Fugly.
Excellent concept CA!!!!!!!!!
Learned a bit more about the MGB too! Thanks!
Thanks for the feedback everyone. We’ll keep you posted on the timing of the next one and welcome your suggestions for future Retro Roadtests.
Maybe a comparo between a mazda rx-8 to a rx-2 would be good to see how far the rotary engine has come written up in a nice little review like this? would make for a good topic.
How about a comparo between the Fiesta XR4 and Escort RS2000?
My wife drives an Eos & loves it, You don’t have to wear a hat like some of the comments,you hardly get any wind so its
not a problem It’s a Great Car.
Cheers AL
I own 1967 MGB and love it. Set up and driven properly there are not too many cars that will out handle a B on tight and twisting roads. Having said that I am sure that the VW is a fine vehicle. My problem is every time I purchase a new car I get sick of it in about one month and go back to enjoying the old MG. There is just something about it.
I have a USA 1974 1/2 MGB, (yes i do like the rubber bumper models too!!!) I get a new car every few years , and as another reader, just get bored and go back to my B as much as possible. Needs a new engine though!!! Good article!
Steve , Melbourne
Oh,,, and I have a Jag XJ6 S2 which I am slowly restoring, although I love driving it…It is a sickness (old british cars) ;-)
Was the first Monocoque M.G. the 1955 Magnette ?
The “Y” Type a Sedan and the Magnette both had windup windows and gloveboxes ! Probably earlier models did too ! SA, WA,etc, etc.
The M.G.B. received synchro on first gear in about 1966-7 or so and retained it to the end !
Finally, will the VW Eos be as loved for the same period of time as any of the M.G. Models ?
Good one, Matt Brogan, good one !