-
Hi Guest!
You can help ensure that British Car Forum (BCF) continues to provide a great place to engage in the British car hobby! If you find BCF a beneficial community, please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription.
There are some perks with a member upgrade!**Upgrade Now**
(PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Hey - did you know if you click on the title of a thread it will take you to the first unread post since you last visited that thread?
but were afraid to ask: 
STOP!! Never post your email address in open forums. Bots can "harvest" your email! If you must share your email use a Private Message or use the 
smilie in place of the real @
Pretty Please - add it to our Events forum(s) and add to the calendar! >> 
What year did MBG do away with Chrome numbers?
- Thread starter Wingtip
- Start date
Share this page
Offline
'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/
https://www.mossmotoring.com/rubber-bumper-mgb-a-sensible-choice/
rick_ingram
Yoda
Offline
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".)
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".)
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.
Offline
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.
I prefer the earlier chrome bumper models without the "Sabrinas". And the earliest ones had simple chrome overriders without the small rubber inserts.
Offline
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.
Offline
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?
For some reason, this looks like it was taken at the entrance to MG 2006! Rick, what do you think?
rick_ingram
Yoda
Offline
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.
Offline
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
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?
Offline
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.
Offline
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
billspohn
Jedi Knight
Offline
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.
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.
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
Yoda
Offline
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
Jedi Knight
Offline
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
Luke Skywalker
Offline
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.
