MGBS MADE IN AUSTRALIA – HOME
Have you ever wondered what original equipment was on a particular year of MGB? OR
Why it is so difficult to get any definitive answer to such questions OR
What was the process involved in assembling CKD (Completely Knocked Down) kits from the UK? OR
Why are there so many inconsistencies with the numbering system?
This website is designed to help answer these questions or, at worst, narrow down the answers as much as possible.
For those unaware, the main difficulties in answering such questions can be sheeted on British Leyland, when the plant at Zetland was closed. Management ordered the disposal of all production records into large industrial waste bins. With the exception of a couple of staff who had the foresight to retrieve what they could, everything was lost.
Since then, everybody has been reliant on the memory of others to resolve production details. Unfortunately, there has never been one place where all this knowledge has been gathered and available to everyone. This is the main purpose of this website.
It is the major purpose of this website to entice owners/enthusiasts and ex Zetland workers to impart any knowledge they have (no matter how small or seemingly unimportant). This way, we can build up a body of knowledge that will help to preserve the history of this marque.
So far, the information set out on this site is largely from the knowledge and memory banks of three people (Thomas Aczel, John Lindsay and Garry Kemm), who have generously given of their time to supply me with valuable information that I’m sure will kickstart this site.
Bearing in mind the difficulties in assembling this information as mentioned above, all effort s have been put into only providing data that has been peer-checked. This is how this site will flourish. Everybody is invited to add their comments/suggestions/knowledge, through the various ‘comment’ points. Once this new information has been verified or accepted as very highly possible, then it will be added to the body of knowledge displayed.
Please take the time to look over the site and add your ‘two bob’s worth’. If it’s a comment about the layout or content, please contact me also.
In an attempt to give some perspective to ‘period’ pricings listed in original documents throughout this website, the following wage figures (taken from the ‘Sydney Morning Herald’ for the duration of the assembly of the MGB in Australia) may be of assistance:
1962 Australian average weekly wage – $49.40 per week.
1972 Australian average weekly wage = $73.80 per week.
Roger Sharpe
2009