What year did MBG do away with Chrome numbers?

[Wingtip]

If I ever wanted to buy an MGB it would probably be a chrome bumper version. Just curious when they stopped with Chrome bumpers?

 

[Mickey Richaud]

'74 was the last of the chrome bumper models, though mid-year saw the "rubber" bumpers introduced.

https://www.mossmotoring.com/rubber-bumper-mgb-a-sensible-choice/

 

[rick_ingram]

I believe September 1974 saw the introduction of the rubber bumpered, raised ride height MGB, referred to as the 1974-1/2. This was also the last of the dual HIF carbs for the North American market, as the 1975 model saw the introduction of the single Zenith-Stromberg carb and the combination intake/exhaust manifold.

There were two variants of the 1974 MGB before that....one with a chrome overrider with a black insert....and one with large rubber blocks as overriders (lovingly referred to as "Sabrinas".)

 

[Wingtip]

Would you say then that pre-74 (or earlier) are the more desirable variants? My Spitfire has the big ugly rubber over-riders and I hate them! If I buy an MG I would rather get one without the big blocks you describe. The small rubber inserts I could handle. I have some other questions, but I'll post in a new thread.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Again, beauty is in the eye...

I prefer the earlier chrome bumper models without the "Sabrinas". And the earliest ones had simple chrome overriders without the small rubber inserts.

 

[drooartz]

The chrome bumper overriders are all removable and essentially interchangeable, so you can always swap to your preferred style. I've got the ones with the small black inserts on my car (as original) but may eventually swap in the earlier style ones as they're a bit smaller.

 

[PAUL161]

Aside from the extra weight, a rubber bumper MGB can be made very nice to look at. Actually, I personally like the looks of this one! The painted bumpers give the design a nice smooth flow. JMHO. PJ

For some reason, this looks like it was taken at the entrance to MG 2006! Rick, what do you think?

 

[rick_ingram]

Aside from the extra weight, a rubber bumper MGB can be made very nice to look at. Actually, I personally like the looks of this one! The painted bumpers give the design a nice smooth flow. JMHO. PJ

For some reason, this looks like it was taken at the entrance to MG 2006! Rick, what do you think?

Yes...that was indeed taken at the entrance to the showfield "on Cosby" for MG2006.

As you know, I like body coloured rubber bumpers...the flow into the body lines is just right in my opinion...both front and rear.

 

[PAUL161]

If I wasn't so wrapped up in redoing this TF, I believe I'd find a late RB model with a perfect body and build another B with a V8/V6 conversion. I have everything to do it, other than the body. Oh well, that's all I need, another project! I told the wife a while back, that I'm thinking of going back to work, just to get a rest!! :laugh: PJ

 

[Wingtip]

Aside from the extra weight, a rubber bumper MGB can be made very nice to look at. Actually, I personally like the looks of this one! The painted bumpers give the design a nice smooth flow. JMHO. PJ

For some reason, this looks like it was taken at the entrance to MG 2006! Rick, what do you think?

I'm assuming that isn't a factory option? That looks good, but wouldn't cracking of the paint on a rubber bumper be a concern?

 

[drooartz]

I'm assuming that isn't a factory option? That looks good, but wouldn't cracking of the paint on a rubber bumper be a concern?

Rubber bumpers were all black from the factory. Modern paints designed for bumpers should keep cracking from happening if you were to go the painted route.

 

[PAUL161]

With the newer paints and the fact that the "rubber" bumper isn't as flexible as some might imagine, the paint holds up very well. I read somewhere there is an alternative, a fiberglass replica of the original front bumper, possibly the rear also. This would be great, as the original bumper must weigh around 50 lbs. I have some, just never weighed them. PJ

 

[Basil]

I didn't know MGBs ever came with chrome "numbers"? :wink-new:

 

[PAUL161]

Yup! The wifes 72, ended in 74-1/2.

 

[billspohn]

The painted bumpers on the RBB do look nice!

You can start with an RBB and spend a lot of money to upgrade the engine and suspension just to get back to the stock spec of the early cars, or you can just buy an early CBB to start with and spend some of the money on improving it from stock.

Styling beauty is on the eye of the beholder and both have their advocates, but performance is undeniably inferior in the late cars. If performance isn't your priority then just go with whichever one looks nicest to you.

 

[Wingtip]

Yup! The wifes 72, ended in 74-1/2.

Now that's nice! I could live with the small rubber inserts on the overriders! I see they have 3 wiper blades too - just like a Jag XKE!

 

[rick_ingram]

Now that's nice! I could live with the small rubber inserts on the overriders! I see they have 3 wiper blades too - just like a Jag XKE!

North American spec MGBs had three wiper blades from 1969 onwards. Federal regulation regarding % of windscreen swept.

 

[Wingtip]

North American spec MGBs had three wiper blades from 1969 onwards. Federal regulation regarding % of windscreen swept.

I'd guess it's because of the short windscreen height?

 

[billspohn]

I'd guess it's because of the short windscreen height?

No, it's because the Feds passed a requirement that a certain percentage of the total glass area need to get wiped in all cars and you can't comply with that with only two wipers (so in a sense I guess you are right, the height of the windshiled did mandate that solution). Its like the MGB being raised up on the suspension and losing much of the handling capability they'd formerly had.

 

[Gundy]

Yup! The wifes 72, ended in 74-1/2.

Wife's 71 B is also a fish mouth which we love.
Even has the over-riders and same head lamps.
That is one nice looking 72 ya got there.