In the 1920s, the British auto industry created a trend that became one of the most popular and enduring in the history of the automobile: the British roadster.
The idea couldn’t be simpler: take a chassis from an existing passenger car, fit it with the most spartan body possible, tune the mechanicals for sportier performance, and you’re done. The roadster is a machine designed for one thing and one thing only: the pleasures of driving.
Although the term “roadster” originated in 19th-century America to describe light horse-drawn carriages, the combination of mechanical design and cultural appeal for the small, nimble British sports car became a global phenomenon after World War II.
This 1968 MG Midget is a perfect example of the golden age of the British roadster era. I took this picture while walking through Old Strathcona, one of Edmonton’s most traditional and picturesque neighborhoods. The car was parked in front of a “trendy” cafe, making the scene just perfect.
The car is a bit rough on the edges, but that is absolutely fine. It doesn’t look like a trailer queen, and the owner drives it the way it was built to be driven. It originally came with an in-line four, 1275cc, 65 HP engine, paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. It is a lightweight car, weighing 689 kg (1519 lbs), so those 65 ponies are enough to give the MG a lively performance.
The trend peaked in the 1950s and 60s, and it was so strong that even the mighty American automakers had to follow it. That is how the Chevy Corvette and Ford Thunderbird were born.
The Vauxhall Prince Henry, released in 1910, is considered the first true British roadster ever, and even more than 100 years later, some automakers continue to keep the roadster segment alive. Perhaps the most passionate is Mazda, which produces what many consider the most efficient and true-to-the-core roadster ever built: the Miata.
I hope you have enjoyed this Catch of the Day, and I’ll see you next time.
The Classic Machines 