This section covers the chrome-plated and bright-metal exterior components of the MGA, the components that give the car its distinctive polished-metal appearance against the painted bodywork. Brightwork on a well-restored MGA is a major contributor to the car's visual impact: the chrome bumpers, the stainless-steel and chrome-plated brass grille, the polished badges, and the various smaller chromed fittings all combine to produce the recognisable MGA appearance.
Chrome-plated bumpers and overriders
MGA bumpers are chrome-plated, approximately square in section with a centre ridge running their full length. The front bumper is made of three pieces (split behind the overriders at each side); the rear bumper is a single piece. Front and rear bumpers are identical in cross-section. The bumpers attach to four mounting points that extend from the chassis through the front valance panel, carrying black-painted bumper springs split symmetrically at the centreline of the car, and are secured by three visible chrome head bolts.
The ridged, tapered overriders are mounted on black PVC mouldings and bolted through the joined-up centre and corner sections directly onto the bumper springs. The front bumper has a starting handle hole in the centre toward the top, a period detail that dates the car. Bumpers were painted silver grey inside from factory. At chassis 102381 (July 1961), the factory added extra distance pieces to the rear bumper brackets.
Radiator grille, 14 bars, each side of centre rib
All MGAs except the 1600 Mk II share the same grille design: a chrome-plated brass surround carrying 14 vertical stainless steel bars on either side of a central rib, with the bars following the curvature of the bonnet and front shroud. Grey PVC piping, approximately 48 inches long, runs between the grille frame and the front shroud. The 1600 Mk II grille was substantially modified: the vertical bars are pushed back at the bottom toward a more vertical position, and an inner surround panel was added between the grille casing and the bars.
This gives the Mk II grille a distinctly different profile compared to the flush-fitting bars on all earlier MGAs, one of the single most recognisable identification points for the Mk II.
Badges, factory specification by variant
All MGAs carry a three-piece die-cast chrome-plated MG badge on the boot lid: a thin octagonal surround with separate M and G letters, body colour background. The 1500 has only this MG octagon; Twin Cam, 1600 and 1600 Mk II cars have an additional model-name badge below the octagon (grained centre bar reading "Twin Cam", "1600" or "1600 Mk II"), and the same additional badges appear on the front shroud behind each air vent. The die-cast chrome-plated air vents on either side of the front shroud (toward the rear) are common to all MGAs.
Mirrors, decals, boot racks, threshold plates, badge and lamp bars
Period-correct mirror options include Lucas 406, Wingard 1C, and (from January 1961) the Desmo Boomerang mirror with convex glass. Additional brightwork sub-categories cover decals (window stickers, manufacturer decals, period sticker content); boot racks (luggage carriers fitted to the boot lid with longitudinal 'skis' bolted to the lid with domed crosshead screws); threshold plates (the chrome-plated plates fitted across the sill at the door opening, protecting the sill finish and providing a finished appearance); and badge and lamp bars (chrome bars mounted to the front of the car, typically in front of the grille, for displaying club badges, driving lamps, or period motorsport identification).
Section structure
The Brightwork section is divided into ten sub-categories: Front Bumper & Fixings, Rear Bumper & Fixings, Front Grilles & Fixings, Badges, Decals, Mirrors, Badge and Lamp Bars & Fixings, Boot Racks, Threshold Plates, and Upgrades & Alternatives.
Ordering considerations
Confirm the car's variant before ordering variant-specific brightwork, particularly the grille (pre-Mk II or Mk II) and the boot lid badges (1500 MG octagon only, or Twin Cam / 1600 / Mk II with additional model badge). For concours restoration, the chassis 102381 distance-piece change on the rear bumper brackets should be matched to the car's chassis number. Period-correct mirror selection depends on the specific year and market of the car.