MGB-GT Correct '70 GT rear bumper

[budk1953]

My '70 GT restoration project rear bumper has small rectangular license plate lights mounted in the bumper directly below the plate which is body mounted. The spare bumper I have has the typical lights in the bumper guards. I just saw an e-bay listing for a '70 GT that has a split bumper and says '70 was the only year for a split bumper. Can someone clarify this for me?

 

[rick_ingram]

That is correct. 1970 only for the MGB.

 

[tony barnhill]

That is correct- & they're as scarce as hen's teeth! In good condition...lots of folks changed them out for the single unit...if yours had the split bumpers, there should be 2 holes for the license plate mounting brackets & the lights themselves are in the ends of the bumpers.

 

[budk1953]

Ok, second question - what year(s) was the attached bumper used?

 

[tony barnhill]

Those license plate lights are off a Triumph...hard to tell about the bumper though.

 

[PAUL161]

I talked to one of the techs at Moss a couple months ago about the split bumper and if it's possible to get a nos or repo split bumper anywhere in the world. Thier suggestion was: Buy a new rear bumper and cut the center out to the proper width, roll the edges in to match the original bumper /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif and then have it rechromed.$$$$$. I would suggest finding a couple of good ones, (not bent or dinged), an have them rechromed. It will probably be cheaper,(not cheap), as your eliminating the cost of the new full bumper, also you will have a pair of originals and eliminate all the work. But, I think only a purist would go this far. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gifPJ

 

[tony barnhill]

I've got several good, straight, OE split bumpers that would only need rechroming...my GT has 1 NOS (left) bumper & I'm looking for a right one before I go the rechrome route (would hate to have to rechrome a new bumper so it matches the other).

 

[PAUL161]

Tony, If I ever hear of or see a NOS right bumper, I'll surly let you know. If it's at a flea market, what's a fare price? I'll grab it for you. PJ

 

[tony barnhill]

I'd go $100 if its still in its original packing...& I've got several of the lights that go inside the end of it so it doesn't matter if the light is there!

 

[PAUL161]

Gotcha! PJ

 

[Baz]

I'm going to look at a 70 BGT thursday eve, I asked the guy (after reading this very informative thread!) if it had the split rear bumper, he said yes. Apparently unaware of their scarcity.
I've never seen such, and have not seen this BGT yet, would someone be so kind as to throw an image up. Yahoo and google images come up short.
Thanks in advance!

 

[rick_ingram]

Looks like a regular chrome rear bumper with about 15" cut out of the middle section.

 

[tony barnhill]

 

[rick_ingram]

Are those Brooklands screens I see, Tony?

 

[tony barnhill]

Yes, they are....I pulled that photo off the internet.

 

[Baz]

One further question your honour. [thanks for the pic & my apologies to bud for hijacking]
Assuming that these bumpers are 'worth something', is a switch to a full length easy enough? You know, to fund in part the new clutch master, absence of interior and o/d actuator and a motor that hasn't run 5 years.....

 

[tony barnhill]

Switch is easy enough - however, old, used split bumpers that need rechroming aren't worth much...that's why I've got several.

& the split bumpers on a Midget aren't rare at all.

 

[Camshaft]

[ QUOTE ]
Yes, they are....I pulled that photo off the internet.

[/ QUOTE ]

Looks like Trevor Boicey's page.

https://www.brit.ca/~tboicey/