Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Ray White]

I would like to test the forum's opinion on something that has been at the back of my mind for (literally) years.

Ever since MG at Abingdon tried to update the ubiquitous MGB by fitting large black rubber bumpers there have been people who, like me, have hated them... and retro fitted chrome bumpers. Fortunately the parts are all available.

The conversion, while not a simple 'swap over', is a pretty simple job for the home mechanic and from what I can gather quite a profitable one too!

In this new world where originality seems to be the overriding motive for classic car ownership, I am just wondering how such a conversion would be received.?

What do you guys think?
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[alastairq]

As I recall, the rubber bumpers were installed to meet US safety regulations...the US being the target marketplace.

Whilst they may not do much for the retro appearance, they might prove slightly more aerodynamic, perhaps?

Also, the ride height of the whole car was raised, by, I believe, altering the chassis legs to give a raised spring height.

If rubber bumpers are deemed so abhorrent [I am OK with them, BTW}...there is a kit on the market to fit a smoother front end and neater rear end to the bodyshell. Bumpers disposed of. Something akin to the ''Sebring'' look?

Being a bit of a classic trials enthusiast myself, a late rubber bumper MGB is a better starting point to make them bullet proof on rough terrain...the suspension already being party raised.

Whilst neither an MGB nor a Spridget, modified to survive trialing, is going to be 'pretty,'...the Spridget driver being able to look down upon ordinary Spridget drivers....it all depends on whether one appreciates 'form ,' over 'function?'

Nowadays I would struggle to get in or out of a B..never mind a Spridget...although a rubber bumper car, being ever so slightly higher, may prove marginally less of a struggle?

In any event, my view would be, a rubber bumper MGB GT looks one heck of a sight better than anything made in the past 10 years or so....without exception, and regardless of purchase price.
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Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
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Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces.

[Rusty]

I recon, that as "almost" everyone thinks like me that the rubber bumper series is a retrograde vandalism of a "really good" design, and if someone wanted to "retro fit" the earlier look I doubt you would get many objecting. It would maybe lower the value, not because anyone thought particularly bad about it, but as you say it's just "not original"!

Whether it is "legal" or not to remove and replace them with the earlier "look", may depend on your licencing authorities, like has been said, it was reluctantly put on in the first place to meet US requirements and its removal may be a bit "problematic"! I do know that out here in Aus, it would be a definite no-no if you wanted to put it on a concessional licence, but for a full licence I "don't know" one way or the other!

[Ray White]

To be honest, I can't stand the sight of the rubber bumper cars ...and would only consider buying one as a chrome bumper conversion project...but as one sage put it "why not buy a chrome bumper car in the first place"?

I am not sure I would change the ride height; although I think it does make the cars look faintly ridiculous.

The bumperless cars that are about are also ugly to my eyes, but that goes for almost any such conversions be it a VW beetle or bus to an Arnolt Bristol.

While I realise MG were trying to extend the life of what was becoming something of a dinosaur as they struggled with the reality that the traditional 2 seater sports car was already a thing of the past, I cannot help feeling that they got it wrong.

If, on the other hand, the bumpers had evolved as a colour coordinated and integrated part of the car, they would have modernised the old B in a way that would have been far more acceptable both then and now.

After all; look how successful the Mazda MX5 has been. Now there's a nice looking car.

[ukdave2002]

Back in the early 80's when I was a student, a neighbour had a 1966 MG Midget. One icy morning she failed to stop and went into the back of a Volvo.

Although the damage was limited to panels and bumper, as it was a 15 year old car the insurance company wrote it off, she had the opportunity to buy the car off them for £25. She didn't want it but knowing that I tinkered with cars she asked if I wanted it.

I considered it, and thought that as it required a front bumper and grill, I could repair it and at the same time "upgrade" it by fitting the modern rubber bumpers ! ..The recklessness of youth!

In the end my parents scuppered the plan as I already had a Bedford CA (my daily transport) and a Simca 1301 that I was fixing up!, apparently I would make the place look like the local scrap yard!

I image if I had done the rubber bumper conversion and kept the car , it would have been converted back to chrome at some point in the future when I came to my senses.

[Ray White]

Good one Dave!

This MGB with under 8000 miles from new sold yesterday for only 4,750 K. If it had been a chrome bumper car my guess is that it would have sold for considerably more.!!


(BTW I absolutely loved the Simca. If they still sold them I would have one. Brilliant cars. )

[MikeEdwards]

[Rick]

There's an MGB locally that is used all year around, going from the reg. it started out as a rubber bumper car but has been converted to chrome. That part of the mod looks fine, although the ride height is still rubber-bumper-spec which looks a little odd to say the least.

Interestingly(!) I did the engine mounts on my rubber-bumper B and it was a bit of a pain, it involved dropping the steering rack. Yet to do the job on dad's chrome-bumper B was a doddle, for some reason the design was altered for later cars. So another vote for getting a chrome bumper car from the outset, plus I think the dash and interior are nicer on the earlier cars.

RJ
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