While it took Detroit a few years to bring out some newer models, the little European sports cars made quite a splash, and a lot of racecar drivers, like Carroll Shelby and others, started out in Aston Martins, Jags, MGs and the like; an automotive British invasion, you might say, although marques like Ferrari, Maserati and others also sent cars over. Automotive enthusiasts grabbed up these little gems and had them on the backroads, the track, pretty much everywhere! Eventually, even the stodgy Detroit manufacturers came out with their own sporty cars, such as the early Thunderbird (aka baby birds) and then the Corvette, but that took perhaps ten years!
Fast forward half a century, and the Japanese started offering their own versions of such cars, only theirs did not need a weekly once-over on Saturday; didn't leave puddles of oil; and had working electronics and other creature comforts. So nowadays, you get the Mazda Miata, Honda S2000, Toyota Supra, etc. But would those cars ever have happened without the old European designs, revamped into the modern day sports car? Doubtful. So, being outdated by the new generation of sports car, a lot of the older ones end up in a Prepared or Modified class when run in Solo. Here is just one:
Migba was born in England, and has lived in Arizona for at least the last 35 yrs. In 1973, Scott Meyers bought the car in its original turquoise color, and its autocross life began. He owned the car from 1973-76 and then sold it to Don and Sharon Roberts, who owned it for 27 more years, continued to autocross the car and make improvements on it (adding the fender flares, shiny black paint, and most of the other modifications that got it to its present day state), and eventually selling it in 2003. The name "Migba" was given to the car by the Roberts, derived from the manufacturer name and model (MGB), and it has stuck all these years!
Here is a little history on the brand:
The MGB was Britain's best-selling sports car model. It was launched in May 1962 to replace the MGA, and was produced until 22 October 1980. It was originally produced by the British Motor Corporation and sold under the MG marque. MGB production continued throughout restructuring of the British motor industry, and the parent company’s transition from BMC to British Motor Holdings (in 1966) and to British Leyland Motor Corporation (in 1968). The MGB was a relatively modern design at the time of its introduction. It utilized a unibody/monocoque structure that reduced both weight and manufacturing costs as well as adding chassis strength. This was a considerable improvement in comparison to that of the traditional body-on-frame construction used on the MGA and T-type models as well as the MGB's rival, the Triumph TR series. The MGB was also one of the first cars to feature controlled crumple zones designed to protect the driver and passenger in a 30 mph (48 km/h) impact with an immovable barrier (200 ton).
Sharon writes, "It's an amazing car, and the one with which Don won the DSP National championship in 1990 (and 1991, for that matter). For a car with an irrigation pump motor, it does quite well! From Edd's times last Sunday (March 9th, 2008), the ol' thing is still a competitive car. After we were DQ'd at the 1991 Nationals, Don lost all interest in it and didn't perform maintenance. The shocks were leaking, etc., etc. I know Mel (the friend we sold it to) didn't do anything to it other than change the exhaust system (we had a Walker muffler 'cause they paid for wins at Pro Solos, Divisionals, and the run-offs). He put synthetic brake fluid in it, which is why Edd lost the brakes on his competition runs. Edd was on old Toyo's that Mel had bought several years ago. He did pretty good, and so did "MIGBA."
"Edd," for those that don't know, is long-time autocrosser and enthusiast Edd Brady, who currently owns and drives the car. He used to run a GMC Caballero and kick everyone's but at FIR. Edd and the car have shown up once in a while up in Flagstaff at the Cactus Corvair Club events, and has made a triumphant return to the SCCA Solo course, where its competitive life began. Edd came out last year, during the Spring series, with Migba shining in the sunlight, and giving us all a little lesson in history, reminiscence and tradition!