The relative absence of decoration is one of the factors that makes the MGB such an enduringly attractive car. What chrome and brightwork the car carried was purposeful and well-proportioned, and is a large part of why the design has aged so well. The external trim evolved across the production run, and knowing which phase the car belongs to is essential when ordering, as many parts are specific to a particular production period and not interchangeable. The MGB GT V8 carries the same brightwork philosophy, with chrome bumper V8s from 1973 to autumn 1974 carrying significantly more brightwork than rubber bumper V8s from autumn 1974 to July 1976.
Bumpers
The most significant change in brightwork was the replacement of chrome bumpers with polyurethane rubber items in September 1974, introduced to comply with US 5mph no-damage impact requirements. Chrome and rubber bumper components are entirely different and not interchangeable.
Chrome bumper cars from 1962 to 1974 were fitted with blade-style chrome front and rear bumpers with overriders mounted on chrome-plated brackets. From around 1970, overriders gained rubber facings. For 1974 only, number plate lamps were resited from the overriders to the bumper blade itself. Complete fitting kits are available for front and rear.
Rubber bumper cars from September 1974 were fitted with large polyurethane units over steel armature reinforcement. Front and rear bumper skins, armatures, clamping plates, and all fixings are available. A chrome bumper conversion kit is available for rubber bumper owners wanting to restore the earlier appearance, which involves structural changes alongside the cosmetic ones, with a complete grille and lamp conversion kit available.
The chrome and rubber bumper periods apply equally to the V8, the chrome bumpers being the most visible bright item on the early cars, with reproduction items available where the originals have been damaged or pitted beyond restoration.
Front Grilles
The front grille went through four distinct designs across the chrome bumper run. The 1962 to 1964 stainless steel vertical slat design was replaced by a one-piece pressed anodised aluminium grille from 1964 to 1970, then a recessed black-painted vertical slat design from 1970 to 1972, and finally a honeycomb black grille with anodised casing from 1973 to 1974.
Rubber bumper cars incorporated a black wire mesh directly into the bumper. Replacement grilles and all mounting hardware are available.
Badges & Decals
Badges evolved with the car's changing identity, from BMC through British Leyland to the final years. The MG grille and boot lid badge changed from a three-piece metal set on early cars to plastic, then back to metal in silver, gold for the 1975 Jubilee, and red for the 1980 Limited Edition. C-post badges, British Leyland house badges, body stripe sets, and chrome letter sets are all available.
Exterior Finishers & Mouldings
Chrome gutter finishers, door waist finishers, wing finishers, and associated mouldings are available across the production range. Mirror-finish stainless steel oversills are available with a choice of coloured inserts. Threshold plates are available in stainless steel and original alloy style. Many exterior finishers are period-specific, as chrome bumper trim differs from rubber bumper in both design and mounting.
Drip rails along the roof gutters, side moulding strips on some specifications, beadings, and other small bright items provide the detail brightwork that completes the trim, and many of the smaller items on the V8 are shared with the contemporary four-cylinder MGB GT.
Door Handles & Window Trim
Chrome door handles, window surround trim strips, and the various smaller bright items on the doors, quarter panels, and tailgate area complete the visible brightwork. Replacement items are available in chrome-plated specifications matching the originals, while stainless steel reproductions offer longer service life with similar appearance for cars used in damp conditions.
Mirrors
Replacement door mirrors and interior mirrors are available for all variants. Door mirrors became standard fitment from 1973, so earlier cars were supplied without them. Chrome-plated mirror cases were fitted to early cars, with revised mirror specifications on later cars.
Boot Racks & Upgrades
A boot rack is one of the most practical and visually appropriate touring accessories for the Roadster, adding external luggage capacity without any modification to the car. The upgrades range covers chrome bumper conversion kits, stainless oversills and threshold plates, woven stainless grille mesh inserts, badge bars, and styling alternatives for owners wanting to personalise their car's appearance.