Welcome, I also have a 66 B; however, it is more in the "before" side of the
ledger. Sounds like you are doing a thorough job on yours.
For info you will need to start with the "Original MGB" book by A. D.
Clausager. I'm not aware of a "concours tip sheet" like you describe for the
A-H. I think you will find that MGB types are not nearly as into that sort
of nitpicking, overall. One problem with the whole concept is that you are
talking about tens of thousands of cars per year, over 18 years -- it is not
going to be possible to document every aspect of production floor practice,
to that level of detail (i.e. "overspray on distributor shaft but not on
heater valve, through August 67 only"). In fact, the documentation even on
major production changes is woefully inadequate.
The other issue you mention, that certain features of the early cars are not
being reproduced (rubber floor mats, various colors of tops and tonneaus,
etc.), is a valid observation. It is curious, in a way, since there are more
Mark I MGBs still around than almost any other single model of LBC, so why
aren't all these parts available, when much more specialized items are being
repro'ed for Healeys and so forth?
I think the reason (at least partly) is that the factory's attitude was that
as newer, "improved" models came off the line, many of these components
would be stocked as retrofits to the early cars. Or at least that is how the
parts houses have treated the matter. And considering the history of the B
as a less expensive sports car with DIY owners, this situation was not
viewed as a problem. After all, who would want rubber floor mats when
inexpensive carpet kits were readily available?
Hopefuly someone will chime in that can help you with your quest for
correctness; but I have to admit that most of the B owners I've met are more
interested in "perfecting" their MG with modifications, major or minor,
rather than restoring it to precise factory condition. Good luck.
on 12/8/03 4:53 PM, Rich C at richchrysler@quickclic.net wrote:
> Hello all,
> I just joined the list yesterday and would like to introduce myself.
> My name is Rich Chrysler and I have recently begun the complete restoration
> of a '66 Series 1 MGB roadster...
> While I become more involved in this car I am finding a relative lack of
> accurate information in how the car goes together. By this I mean there
> doesn't seem to be a concise set of guidelines or standards developed for
> the early cars containing notes on details about the car...
> This car will be trimmed in red, and I find no availability of coloured
> rubber sill and floor mats as per original. Surely there must be enough
> demand for these items around the world??
> Is there anything yet existing for the thousands of owners worldwide whose
> time has come and want to "get it right"?
> Sorry to be a "newbee" stirring things up with so many questions.
> Rich Chrysler
> Mt. Hope, Ontario, Canada
>
--
Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the primer red one with chrome wires
|