Introduction to Body Choices for Customising

This page is an introduction to some popular body modifications for customising your MGB, specific pages can be accessed below from the links or from the relevant introductory paragraphs below.

Visit pages for: 

Introduction & Caution

If you have read the cautionary notes in the advisory section, and still wish to consider something a little different, there are many ways in which you can personalise your body work!  Of course, much depends on whether you are embarking on bodywork and undertaking a full respray, or whether you have a tidy car and just want to do a few minor alterations with no spraying if possible.

Rubber to Chrome

The most common modification for rubber bumper cars is to convert to chrome bumpers.  If only for the looks this is pleasing to the eye, but to create a complete chrome bumper car would entail a lot more especially considering the engine bay changes and the interior, notably the dashboard.  In reality, if you are after a genuine chrome bumper car, then either buy one in the first instance (with the tax exemption) or if you must do a project, the cheapest route would be a heritage body shell rebuild.

Visit Rubber to Chrome Conversions

Sebring

The other more radical look is that based on the famous Sebring cars of the 60s.  There are two stages to this look, the basic front and rear valence, or the whole car including front and rear wings.  Whilst the initial stage offers a somewhat leaner, meaner look, the cost is minimal to achieve in reality.  However the full Sebring look is quite expensive in terms of the choice of alloys and rubber to fill the arches, and of course, providing a power plant to suitably justify the looks.

For preparing for a semi-Sebring look, visit this page.

Alternatives

Varying ideas have been undertaken by owners and a selection is posted on this page here.  Some of these are on the Sebring theme, some are a take on the RV8, and others are just a personal interpretation.

Ride height needs attention! 

Remember, though, if you are working with a rubber bumper car, the following should be kept in mind as very necessary additional work to complete the look.

I don’t believe that the car will rise at all without the rubber bumpers, after all it is only 20kgs or so at each end, but it is the effect of the Sebring or chrome bumper look that is important, and a r/b ride height will look plain daft on what is a visually impressive 60’s classic or race car look!  So it will be necessary to consider lowering the car.

See: Lowering Suspension (To be added)