The MGB GT V8 bodyshell shares most of its structure with the contemporary MGB GT four-cylinder, with V8-specific differences concentrated in three areas: the front-end substructure (modified to accept the V8 engine and uprated front crossmember), the badging (V8 badges in place of the standard MGB badges), and the fascia panel (V8 part HZA4916E with the V8 instrument binnacle layout). Other major bodywork, doors, rear quarters, roof structure, bootlid, glass, is shared with the contemporary MGB GT.
Chrome-Bumper and Rubber-Bumper
The MGB GT V8 was produced in chrome-bumper specification (1973 to autumn 1974) and rubber-bumper specification (autumn 1974 to July 1976). The bodywork differences between the two are significant at the front and rear ends, with revised bumpers, lighting installations, and grille areas. Chrome-bumper sidemembers carry part numbers HZA4602 and HZA4603; rubber-bumper sidemembers HZA4966 and HZA4967. The V8 was specified throughout in GT body form, no V8 roadster was produced at the factory.
V8 Badging
Chrome-bumper V8s typically carried three silver V8 badges; rubber-bumper V8s carried two silver badges. For the 1975 Jubilee specification, gold V8 badges replaced the silver badges on Jubilee cars. The V8 badge positions and styles are part of the original specification and are reproduced as faithful replacements for restoration work.
Lead Loading
Lead loading, the technique of filling minor bodywork imperfections with molten lead alloy, was used on MGB production until approximately March 1976. Cars built before this date have lead-filled body joints in the usual locations.
Cars built after the changeover use plastic body filler in these positions. Restoration work should respect the original specification, using lead loading for early cars, body filler for late cars.
V8 Front Crossmember
The V8 modified front crossmember raises the car by approximately 0.5 inch compared with the standard MGB crossmember. The V8 crossmember was adopted on the four-cylinder MGB from the start of rubber-bumper production in autumn 1974, so MGB rubber-bumper four-cylinder cars share this crossmember design. The V8 crossmember is V8 (and rubber-bumper four-cylinder MGB) specific and is not interchangeable with the chrome-bumper four-cylinder MGB crossmember.
Sub-Sections
Body Shells, Bonnet Fixings and Cables, Bootlid Hatch and Fixings, Doors and Fixings, Doors, Front Internal, Front Outer, Rear Internal Floorpan and Tunnel, Repair Sections, Exterior Styling, Glazing, Panels, MGB GT Unique Panels, Fibreglass Panels and Upgrades and Alternatives each cover their respective sub-areas.
MGOC Spares
MGOC Spares supplies the full range of MGB GT V8 bodywork components, see individual sub-sections for details.