MG introduced its first roadster in 1923 on a Morris chassis. With its open two-seat bodywork and minimal weather equipment, these primitive vehicles possessed highly tuned engines equivalent to the more advanced and expensive European competition. MG was soon joined by AC, Invicta, Morgan, Singer, Sunbeam, Triumph and SS-Jaguar with models that enhanced the basic roadster formula with increasing performance and handling.
Although the British roadster came of age following World War II, the foundation for that success was laid during the 1920s and 1930s when the British automotive industry made a deliberate effort to manufacture automobiles capable of providing sporting performance at an affordable price. As a result, the British roadsters became the forerunners in the sports car scene, as they brought roadster fever to the United States.
As a result, the classic British roadster firmly established its roots in the 1950s. This was the decade when MGs, Triumphs, and Austin-Healeys were the global yardsticks of open-topped, two-seater excitement. There were roadsters to suit every pocket within a very short time - from the cheap-and nippy Austin-Healey 'Frogeye' Sprite to the Jaguar XK150 with its thrilling performance and Le Mans-winning pedigree.
The success enjoyed by MG, Austin-Healey and Triumph did not go unnoticed by their rivals, leading to an extraordinary influx of British sports cars into American homes. These British roadsters became some of the most legendary sports cars ever produced, establishing Britain as the largest exporter of automobiles globally and the leading purveyor of roadsters to the masses.
Although the British roadster came of age following World War II, the foundation for that success was laid during the 1920s and 1930s when the British automotive industry made a deliberate effort to manufacture automobiles capable of providing sporting performance at an affordable price. As a result, the British roadsters became the forerunners in the sports car scene, as they brought roadster fever to the United States.
As a result, the classic British roadster firmly established its roots in the 1950s. This was the decade when MGs, Triumphs, and Austin-Healeys were the global yardsticks of open-topped, two-seater excitement. There were roadsters to suit every pocket within a very short time - from the cheap-and nippy Austin-Healey 'Frogeye' Sprite to the Jaguar XK150 with its thrilling performance and Le Mans-winning pedigree.
The success enjoyed by MG, Austin-Healey and Triumph did not go unnoticed by their rivals, leading to an extraordinary influx of British sports cars into American homes. These British roadsters became some of the most legendary sports cars ever produced, establishing Britain as the largest exporter of automobiles globally and the leading purveyor of roadsters to the masses.