The MGB door panel specification changed at numerous points across the production run, with nine distinct trim specifications covering the full eighteen years of production. Roadster and GT panels differ from each other, and within each body style many of the designs are not interchangeable between periods, correct identification by year and body style is essential.
The first type of Roadster door trim featured a single line of contrast-colour piping. The early GT door trim was almost the same but with a slightly different layout. The door waist rail was always black, though the piping colour for the waist rail changed from the seat piping colour to black in 1966. The 1968 MkII cars introduced safety-type recessed door handles alongside two lines of contrast piping on both Roadster and GT.
For the 1969 models, piping was deleted altogether, and the edges of the upper and lower vinyl panels were simply turned under and sewn. The 1970 model year brought another new door trim design with heat-formed feature lines outlining a centre panel, with vertical fluting at the bottom.
From 1972, the door casings were fitted with two bright chrome-finish trim strips, and the earlier hinged door pull gave way to a simple fixed door pull which was colour-matched to the trim. The 1977 facelift introduced the final type of door trim, with new door liners on all cars, loudspeakers in the doors were fitted to North American cars from 1976 and to UK cars from the 1979 model year.
Door Cappings
Door cappings cover the upper door rail and are available in vinyl, leather, burr walnut, burr elm, black burr walnut, and carbon fibre, particularly effective when coordinated with matching veneer console and dashboard panels. Roadster and GT cappings differ, and the 1972 interior revision changed the capping profile.
Waterproof Door Curtains
Waterproof door curtains are strongly recommended alongside new door cards to protect the panels from water damage, a common issue on Roadsters where moisture tracks down the inside of the door through the window channel.