Although these four-cylinder roadsters arrived from completely different backgrounds, both the MGB and the Fiat 124 survived the worst of 1970s inflation to reign supreme throughout 18 years of production. But which one is best?
Some call the Fiat 124 Spider Italy’s MGB - which is a tad unfair, as the Fiat usually works and an MGB isn’t made solely from rust. Declaring that either company produced the better car has been a debate raging on for nearly half a century. Now it’s time to wage serious war.
The Looks
As familiar as a phone box or a telegraph pole, the MGB is difficult to take in impartially. Although, if you take a fresh view and scrutinise the body you find that the lines, albeit it simple, are well drawn from nose to tail and look impeccably pretty. It may not appear imaginative and some call it ‘plain’, but parked next to the Fiat you can’t help but fall for the chrome and old-fashioned smile brushed across the front grille - an attribute that was lost with the introduction of rubber bumpers.
The Fiat works with a handicap, as it had to be based on a shortened floor pan from a saloon - and Pininfarina had little time to pen those lines. However, the design has become timeless with only the period headlights giving away its age, recessed into scoop out wings. New to us at the time, the flared wheel arches add a final dash of charm to steal your thoughts away to winding Italian roads and coastal sunshine.
It’s all too easy to choose the Fiat for this round over the usual go-to looks of the MGB, but for style and stance the Fiat bags it for us. However, it’s a close run battle - for the MGB stole our hearts big time too.
The Interior
Being of sound BL management targeting, the interior on your MGB will vary depending on the decade. Early ones are lavished with leather seats and a nice steering wheel. Later ones have vinyl seats and parts bin components blighted by build quality that would make a leper wince. However, should you bag an early example you will be rewarded with a low seating position surrounded by black everything. It’s a pleasant space to be in - with the ‘Banjo’ wheel and Smiths dials being classically British.
The Fiat 124 Spider is another retro 1960s/1970s ride to have a healthy obsession with black vinyl, but unlike the MGB enlivens the dark cabin with a swathe of polished wood, in which sits an impressive number of dials. There is only one extra over the MG however, and that is a clock - and who really needs one of them in a classic car? It’s the hood that swings it for the Fiat though, actually useable and way ahead of, not just the MGB, but also most roadsters up until the mid 1980s. It lifts and lowers in no time at all, making it a godsend should the heavens suddenly open.
Power and Handling
The MGB isn’t fast - with the 1800 B-Series engine developing a maximum of 95bhp, shaking past 60mph from a standstill in little under 18 seconds. It also handles like a cement-laden bus, developing biceps in your arms faster than any steroid injection. It does produce a wonderful exhaust note however, warbling over a throaty burble on tickover before roaring into a meaty mumble when revved for take off.
The Fiat is slightly more powerful, churning out a useful 10bhp more, although this feels like more than only ten ponies, beating the B to 60mph by over two seconds. The handling is also nimbler, heading directly into the corner where you point it.
Living With Them
Here is the MG at it’s best. Parts are easy to find, the club is massive and more importantly - the MGB is cheap to get a hold of. There are always hundreds of them for sale, and bargains are definitely out there.
The Fiat is entirely different. Scarcely available, if you’re really after one a seller can determine the price as it may be the only one for sale. Expect to pay upwards of £10,000, with good ones easily now fetching well over£15,000. Parts are also difficult to source - and could make an oil sheikh weep on the cost of having them sent to Britain.
The Verdict
Developing and inspiring real thoroughbred passion, instead of enthusiasm, the Fiat is an outright champion. Yet, speed and handling isn’t everything. The MGB offers a great sporting heritage and a club waiting to welcome you with open arms.
Both are cruising machines, but for us, although it’s second class in so many aspects - the MGB takes our podium as the people’s champion.