the 'O' series project-Did you know?
Hi went to a Car Club meeting today, in the snow:D:D and guess who was the only one there in an MGB???-Don Hayter, in his 80's and the ice.
he offered me a lift to the pub in his 'O' series test car (the only carb version of the car-bob's better half, Karen, owns the only EFI vesion) which was converted in 1979 to v8 spec by the factory.
His MGB has covered a mere 28,000 iles since then and is untouched/runs beautifully. On our way to the pub we chatted about the O'm series profect. apparantly there were three versions produced-
Don's carb car
Karen's EFI car (with a torquey 116bhp)
and a turbo (yes turbo) version with 160bhp.
When I asked how near the project was to completion he said that it had all been signed off in 1980 and production was due to start in 1982-with the U.S. models being first to be available.
This is also backed up with the fact that special decals were produced (EFI & turbo) a set of which Don has stored in his garage and has promissed to photograph (Bob;))
Here is a photo of Don next to his MGB
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I've heard a rumour that Don has written a book about his time at MG. Is this true? I thought that there were about 11 O series cars built from the top of my head. I've certainly come across a couple for sale over the years. I'd love to know more as Bob well knows!
Don is a wealth of information and I'd love to hear more from him.
Great car too - a V8 in Brooklands green with orange deck chair trim - a nice combo (!) but a car that Abingdon should have produced had things turned out differently. :@
He is writing a book but has been side tracked with his J2 which he has now finished after a mere 18 years
I thought Aston Martin were playing with a turbo version
Hi Bob....The article you kindly sent mentions it and Don said the only problem they had to iron out was the exhaust manifold which kept splitting-160BHP from 4 pots in 1980 would have been pretty serious stuff
Don Hayter - what a brilliant guy - the man who styled the MGB still driving his in the ice and snow! Kind of makes me feel ashamed that my B is tucked up in the garage. I would love to meet him sometime.
The "O" Series B - another great "if only" in the MG Story.
Marcus.
I met Don at Windsor great bloke, had a good long chat with him about our cars.
Don Hayter next to Karen's car
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Here is another view of Don's car at this years register weekend-all his own work I believe:D
