MGB Upgrades & Alternatives

Interior > Upgrades & Alternatives

The MGB interior evolved significantly across its eighteen-year production run, but the fundamental cabin architecture, its dashboard layout, seat mounting, door furniture, and tunnel arrangement, remained sufficiently consistent that a wide range of upgrades can be fitted without modification to the bodyshell. Whether the goal is improved comfort for regular road use, a more refined cabin for touring, or a purposeful interior for a fast road car, the upgrades available for the MGB allow the owner to take the interior well beyond the original factory specification while retaining the car's character. Sports Recliner Seats The standard MGB seat changed from fixed-back leather in 1962 to reclining Ambla vinyl from 1970, then to brushed nylon deckchair-stripe facings from the 1977 model year. While these were fit for purpose, the foam support and cover material on an original seat inevitably deteriorate with age. Complete replacement sports recliner seats with leather facings offer a substantial improvement in both support and appearance, supplied as pairs with headrests and designed to fit directly to the existing seat runners without modification. Three centre panel styles are offered, plain, perforated, and ruched, each with soft leather pleating to the outer sections. A heated seat option provides low-energy heat pads with illuminated switches, making hood-down motoring comfortable in cooler weather. Veneer Dashboards The standard MGB dashboard was a functional painted or padded metal panel across all five production periods. A veneer overlay transforms its appearance, hand-crafted from sustainably sourced hardwood veneer, each piece selected for colour and figuring before being bonded to a solid backing. The overlay fits over the existing panel using pre-drilled mounting holes, making installation straightforward without requiring removal of the original dash. Four production periods are covered, reflecting the distinct dashboard profiles, in burr walnut, burr elm, black burr walnut, and carbon fibre. Both RHD and LHD versions are available. The effect is particularly striking when coordinated with matching veneer door cappings and console panels. Leather Consoles The centre console introduced with the 1972 interior revision was always finished in black vinyl regardless of the rest of the trim. Leather-trimmed console kits, available for the 1968 to 1976 and 1976 to 1980 periods separately, replace this with hand-finished leather in a full colour range, paired with matching leather panels or walnut veneer inserts. Console Extensions & Gaiters Console extension panels in leather, with optional footwell courtesy lights, extend the visual impact down to the footwell area. Aftermarket Steering Wheels The standard MGB wheel is large in diameter by modern standards. A smaller aftermarket wheel sharpens the steering response, opens up the cockpit, and gives the driving position a more purposeful character. Wheels are available in wood and leather rim options across a range of diameters and spoke configurations. The boss kit must be matched to the steering column, chrome bumper and rubber bumper columns use different splines, and the 1968 export column is a specific variant. The 1977 indicator cancellation compatibility boundary must also be observed when fitting any aftermarket wheel. Electric Window Kit The electric window conversion replaces the manual winder mechanism in both doors with smooth electric operation. Switch pods fit directly over the existing winder handle apertures in the door trim, no new holes are required. The conversion fits all MGB Roadsters and GTs from 1965 onwards. Chrome & Stainless Interior Trim Chrome and stainless steel dress items for the cabin include window winder handles, interior trim strips, and engine bay chrome cap covers. A cigar lighter provides a practical 12-volt power outlet fitted cleanly into the dashboard or console. Soundproofing Interior soundproofing kits and advanced acoustic treatments address the road noise, transmission noise, and panel vibration that the MGB's thin steel monocoque allows into the cabin. Fitted beneath the carpet during a retrim, they make a measurable difference to the refinement of a car used regularly on modern roads. Gearknobs, Gaiters & Seatbelt Accessories Aftermarket gear knobs in wood, leather, and metal are available to suit personal preference, alongside leather gaiters in a full colour range. Seatbelt guides in anodised aluminium correctly locate the belt over the shoulder, and seatbelt covers provide a finishing detail. All trim is manufactured in the UK using UK-sourced materials. Colour swatches are available on request, with most popular configurations offered as a standard line and made-to-order options available within approximately eight weeks.

Upgrades & Alternatives
Image map: Pinch to zoom, drag to pan. Hold on numbers for info. Tap a number to filter.
Image map: Double click to zoom. Click and drag to pan. Hover on numbers for info. Click a number to filter.
Recently Viewed Items

Sorry, but you need to update your browser to use our website.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thanks for your patience.

To place a phone order:
01954 230928

Customer Support: sales@mgocspares.co.uk

Thank you
The MGOC Spares & Accessories Team