By the time of the merger that created BL in 1968, the two MG sports cars (B and Midget) were in danger of becoming obsolete against competition that was decidedly more modern in technology and aesthetic modernity. At the affordable end of the spectrum, MG was now in competition not only with its new sibling (Triumph) but also against new Japanese rivals as well as traditional foes from Germany and Italy. With MG and Triumph now residing under the same corporate roof there were concerns about the future of each marque under the BL banner. Further complicating matters was the increasing influence of what was termed the Triumph Mafia in the halls of power of the new BL. Since many of the ranks in upper management it was considered likely that Triumph would be granted more favorable treatment in priorities and development monies. Seeking to replace the Midget and (likely the Spitfire) was a priority at Abingdon and the decision was made to do so with a wholly new and modern car that was so compelling that management would have to choose it as the companys car of the future. ADO21 adopted a mid-engine design (that was widely seen as the future for sports cars) with an E-Series engine and a semi-independent suspension with Hydrolastic shocks and a sophisticated DeDion rear axle. Despite adoption of the E-Series engine in 1500 cc form, the car was intended to be able to use the larger 1748 cc and 2227 cc versions of the engine so that the same platform could also serve to replace the MGB and TR6. The flying buttresses were very Italian in execution (think Ferraris 206 Dino and the Lancia Scorpion) and the entire package appeared more modern and exotic than any of its market competitors at the time. The problems with the shift linkage and engine ancillaries could have been remedied in development but there was no solution to the fact that BL now had two sports car companies in direct competition at the affordable end of the pool (and another in Jaguar just above them) in a market that could not support them both for long. Concurrent with the development of AD021, Triumph engineers were hard at work on the Lynx/Bullet projects. After market studies showed that the important North American market favored traits like simplicity and reliability (and low cost) over any other consideration meant that the more advanced MG project would never reach production over the less costly to produce Triumph that would eventually become the TR7.
Posted on: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 14:23:01 +0000
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