A Bit of Fun – The Hidden Human Factors of the MGA & MGB

A Bit of Fun – The Hidden Human Factors of the MGA & MGB

A Bit of Fun - The Hidden Human Factors of the MGA & MGBAfter years in the aerospace industry fitting men/women into a cockpit, space capsules, etc., I began to appreciate the effort the MG designers and engineers went to make their vehicles more functional from a human-interface aspect.

Once MG designers and engineers had figured out how to build a car that was inexpensive and fun to drive, they realized that the creature comforts were not what they could be. The TC, TD and TF were noisy, wet, egress/ingress (getting in and out of the car) and hard riding seats. In order to continue their popularity they needed to keep their performance with upgrades and improve creature comfort and access. This does not include engine and transmission access: that never happened.

Figure 1 Hand & Elbow Egress AccessThis article identifies those hidden areas that they improved to keep the customer coming back. The MGA was their first attempt. We all appreciate the easy reach for the controls, the instrument on the driver’s centerline, the pedals arranged for easy heel-toe operation and more comfortable seating. Egress and ingress were still a problem but doable. These changes were made to accommodate the small female driver and the large, 95th percentile, male. This was done so well that everything falls into place once you were in the car.

Figure 2 MGA Fender SeatBut enough about the obvious. I want to show you how clever they were at hiding improvements that make us like the cars even more. As I mentioned, getting in and out of the car is still a problem. However, the MG designer provided hidden access aids. The doors are just long enough to provide a handhold for pulling you out of the car. In addition to the handhold on the door, there is a notch on the MGA between the rear fender and the body just aft of the door that is prefect for placing your elbow for a hidden assess for getting out. See Figure 1.

Figure 3 MGB-GT Sun Shade PorchThe MGA offers a great seat for resting, telling lies about your travels or just watching the activities or girls at a car show. The rear fender is just the height for sitting on a barstool. The rear bumper over-riders offer a footrest to keep you from sliding off the well-waxed car. Try it. It works. See Figure 2.

Figure 4 MGB-GT Rain ShelterThe MGB shows continued improvements in the hidden features for creature comfort. Most of the improvements made on the MGA were refined on the “B.” Here are a few features that are hiding in the car. The MGB-GT is where the most hidden features were done. The first is the original hatchback. This was an invention that is still used today throughout the automotive industry. The hatchback provides a porch for shade from the sun or shelter from the rain. See Figures 3 and 4.

Figure 5 Rubber Bumper SeatThe rubber bumper MGB provides the best seat of all. See Figure 5. It is the perfect height for a standard dining room chair (ref. HUMANSCALE 1/2/3. Dreyfuss 1974).

I would like to continue this discussion. If you have any more ideas of hidden comfort features, let me know. The sequel to this will be the “BAD/STUPID HUMAN FACTORS of the MG”. Input requested – add your comments to this page.