SPOTTING
AN EARLY MGB
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.