Austin-Healey and MG sports cars found their biggest market across the Atlantic, in American showrooms. The eight cars below were all sold new in the United States, from the postwar MG TC to the last rubber-bumper Midget. Each one comes with a figure from a marque club, museum or auction record.

Some of these cars sold mostly to Americans, while others simply changed to meet American rules. In each case, we say which record shows the U.S. connection.

1. 1945–1949 MG TC

The TC was the first MG sports car on this list. Hagerty’s buyer’s guide says MG built 10,000 of them, starting with just 81 cars in 1945. Output then climbed to 1,600 in 1946 and 3,000 in 1948.

Only a slice came to America, though. According to Hagerty’s TC, TD and TF guide, dealers sold 2,000 here. Meanwhile, about 1,500 more came in as private imports. The same guide notes that North American TCs got turn signal flashers and vertical chrome bumpers.

2. MG TD, Built From Late 1949

Next came the TD, which replaced the TC in late 1949. Hagerty calls it a vastly improved car. For example, MG finally offered left-hand drive, along with smaller 15-inch steel disc wheels.

That change paid off with American buyers. In fact, Hagerty’s buyer’s guide says MG sold 29,664 TDs in four years. Of those, 24,388 went to the United States. That means more than four out of five TDs went to American buyers.

3. 1955–1962 MGA

Hagerty’s MG history says MGA production began in late 1955. According to Conceptcarz’s MGA history, MG sold 101,081 MGAs of all types. However, only 5,869 of them went to buyers in Britain.

Conceptcarz says the vast majority crossed the Atlantic to the U.S. market, though it gives no exact count. It does list a U.S. price. In 1958, an MGA 1500 sold for $2,275 to $2,600, depending on body style. Its 1,489cc four made 72 horsepower, according to the same source.

4. 1962–1980 MGB, America’s Favorite MG Sports Car

The MGB arrived in 1962 and stayed for 18 years. According to Moss Motors’ MGB history, Abingdon turned out just over 500,000 from 1962 to 1980. Hagerty’s MG history also puts the total at more than 500,000.

Most of the story played out in America. In fact, Moss Motors calls this MG sports car the best-selling sports car in the U.S., even through the muscle car years. By comparison, it lists the Triumph Spitfire and Datsun Fairlady among its rivals here.

5. 1961–1979 MG Midget

The Midget name returned in 1961 with a 948cc engine, according to Hagerty’s history of MG. Then the small roadster kept going until 1979.

American rules also shaped the last versions. A Hagerty Marketplace listing for a 1979 Midget says late cars wore raised suspension and black rubber bumpers, added to meet U.S. safety rules. They also used a 1,493cc engine from the Triumph Spitfire. The North American MG Register counts 72,289 Midget 1500s built. Its final car left the line on December 7, 1979.

6. 1954 Austin-Healey 100-4 BN1

The Austin-Healey 100 had an American link from the start. In 1953, AAA officials picked two cars at random from California dealer showrooms. Then they took them to Bonneville for record runs, according to the Simeone Museum.

The museum’s 1954 BN1 shows another U.S. detail. Its 2.6-liter four made 90 horsepower and pulled so hard that American versions had first gear blocked out.

7. 1959–1967 Austin-Healey 3000

The big Healey grew to 2.9 liters in 1959 and took the 3000 name. Over eight years, it racked up 43,000 sales. Most of them went to the U.S. market, according to Hagerty’s look at a 1967 BJ8 Mk III.

For that final year, Hagerty lists the 1967 BJ8 Mk III’s 2.9-liter inline six at 148 horsepower and 173 lb-ft of torque. It breathed through two SU carburetors.

8. 1958–1969 Austin-Healey Sprite

The Sprite was the cheap way in. It launched in 1958 at $1,795, according to Hagerty’s Sprite feature. Americans called it the “Bugeye,” while the British called it the “Frogeye.”

It wasn’t fast, but it sold. Hagerty says nearly 50,000 Mk I Sprites found buyers before the Mk II arrived in 1962. Road & Track timed one at 20.8 seconds to 60 mph. Hagerty’s feature valued a 1960 Sprite in #3 condition at $11,500 to $16,200. Sprites stayed on sale in America until 1969.

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This article was created with the help of AI and was reviewed and edited by Fast Lane Only editors before publication.