I recall a friend who had a BL dealership at the time (1974) commenting that
it was a marketing decision to withdraw the BGT from North America so it
wouldn't compete with the all new wedge shaped TR7.
You may recall BL's policy at the time was to boost and enhance the Triumph
side of things, even at the cost of MG. For example, the Abingdon designed
mid engined MG concept car that was to have replaced the B about 1971, which
was pushed aside to allow the development of the TR7. Then the B was to
endure a series of silly embarasingly awkward modifications so it would
somehow pass U.S federal regulations, including the raised chassis height to
standardize bumper heights with other vehicles, which caused the handling to
suffer, and the rubber bumpers which allowed it to withstand the 5 mph
collision regulations. Emissions strangled it down from what was once 96 BHP
to finally 65 BHP!
I know it was all a bit before your time (at least for many of you), and not
to discourage or belittle those of you with the rubber bumper models, but
the MGB used to be a much better car than it was in it's last years.
I'll slip into my flame suit now.
Rich Chrysler
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