The MGB's monocoque body relies entirely on its pressed steel panels for structural integrity, there is no separate chassis. The condition of the body panels, particularly the sill assemblies, floor pans, and inner wing structure, has a direct bearing on the car's strength and safety. Corrosion in these areas is the most common and most serious problem facing older MGBs.
Panel Identification
The most important identification points before ordering any body panel are whether the car is chrome bumper (1962 to 1974) or rubber bumper (1974 to 1980), and whether it is a Roadster or GT. Within the chrome bumper period, front wings changed at two points, early wings have a wider sidelamp-to-grille gap, while later wings from late 1968 have a narrower gap.
Rubber bumper wings are a further distinct design. Floor pans differ between 3-synchro and 4-synchro cars owing to the enlarged transmission tunnel introduced in late 1967. Rear body panels differ between chrome and rubber bumper specifications, and the GT has additional structural panels for the roof, C-posts, and tailgate aperture that the Roadster does not share.
Heritage & Reproduction Panels
British Motor Heritage panels are pressed from zinc-coated steel and electrophoretically primed, manufactured to original tooling specifications. Reproduction panels are available alongside Heritage pressings where Heritage panels are not produced for a particular area. Fibreglass alternatives are available for front wings, bonnets, and boot lids where weight saving or corrosion resistance is the priority over originality.
Repair Sections
Where corrosion is localised rather than widespread, targeted repair sections allow the affected area to be cut out and replaced without removing an entire panel, a practical and cost-effective approach for sill ends, lower wing sections, floor edges, spring hanger areas, and other common corrosion hotspots. The MGOC Spares range covers every area of the MGB bodyshell, bonnets, boot lids, doors, front and rear wings, sills, floors, inner structure, fibreglass panels, and repair sections, for both Roadster and GT across all production periods.