Spotting an early MGB      

 

With acknowledgement to David Knowles and his book 'MGB' published by Bay View Books  ISBN1-901432-25-4

 

Recognising an early MGB is a common fascination among MGB enthusiasts.  These notes list the more noticeable changes made in the early years.

During 1962:

Reflective front badges were replaced by a non­reflective type; the change point is unknown, but possibly occurred before full production .

January 1963 (car 5635):

Screws and fixings for interior trim changed from chrome-plated to 'Florentine Bronze'.

January 1963 (car 5794):

Windscreen assembly bottom rail modified so that rubber seal sat under rather than over the frame.

January 1963 (car 5813):

Horns moved from the bonnet lock platform to engine bay valances.

April 1963 (car 10466):

Stiffer aluminium introduced for the bonnet. lt may be that at this point (or earlier) the wooden internal reinforcement fitted to early cars was deleted.

May 1963:

Deletion of chrome trim previously fitted within instrument cowl (barely visible in most contemporary photos).

May 1963 (car 11241):

Bonnet prop clip replaced by a rubber stop.

January 1964 (car 28264):

Finish of  'triangular' filler pieces between rear bumper and wing (to conceal the gap),change from body-colour paint to chrome-plated.

October 1964:

Instruments changed from 'British Jaeger' to 'Smiths Instruments'.

October 1964 (car 49502):

Construction of radiator grille simplified (but appearance is very similar).

March 1965 (car 56743):

Radiators Branch pressed-steel fuel tank fitted.

 

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