The MGB console and armrest arrangement changed significantly across the production run. Pre-1968 3-synchro cars used a speaker console mounted in the transmission tunnel, the tunnel itself was stepped behind the gear lever on these early cars, with an ashtray to the right of the gear lever.
The early 4-synchro cars from 1968 to 1971 introduced a revised tunnel console with the gear lever sitting further back and the tunnel now straight rather than stepped. The 1972 interior revision brought the most comprehensive change, adding a full centre console linking the gear lever surround to the dashboard below the facia. This introduced an integral armrest with storage compartment between the seats, a new matt black ashtray behind the gear lever, described at the time as inconveniently small, and a coin tray. The padded armrest was covered in black vinyl and hinged at the rear, lifting to reveal a rather impractical cubbyhole.
It is important to note that the console and armrest were always black, regardless of the trim colour fitted to the rest of the interior. The console specification was revised again from September 1976, with a further distinct profile that continued to the end of production.
Speaker Consoles
Speaker consoles are available in original and fibreglass construction for both 3-synchro and early 4-synchro cars. The 3-synchro speaker console differs from the 4-synchro type and the two are not interchangeable. Leather-trimmed speaker consoles are available for the 4-synchro cars in a choice of colours. The speaker grille bezel is available for pre-1972 applications.
Tunnel & Radio Consoles
Tunnel consoles for manual and automatic transmission are available separately for 1972-onwards cars. Radio consoles are available for the 1972 to 1976 and post-1976 periods, with a radio blanking kit and blank plate available for cars where no radio is fitted and the aperture needs finishing cleanly, the blank plate for the post-1976 console is a separate item from the pre-1976 blanking kit.
Armrests
Armrests are available in a full colour range for post-1972 cars, in vinyl, leather, and padded leather, with the armrest lid hinge, catch socket, striker, and catch plate all available individually for repairs to the mechanism without replacing the complete assembly. Console fitting kits are available in original and fibreglass versions. A console repair plate is available for minor damage to the console body. The tunnel ashtray for pre-1972 cars is available alongside the centre console ashtray for post-1972 cars in black and chrome finish.
A coin tray is available as an alternative to the ashtray in the post-1972 console. Console extension panels in leather, with optional footwell courtesy lights, are available to extend the visual impact of the console down to the footwell area. Leather gear lever gaiters in a full colour range complement the console trim.