This section covers the MGA rear bumper assembly and all related fittings, the single-piece chrome-plated rear bumper, overriders, rear bumper iron, number plate mounting bracket with integrated lamp mounting, distance pieces for later cars, rubber sealing components, and complete chrome, stainless steel and zinc-plated UNF hardware for assembly.
Single-piece rear bumper, identical cross-section to front
Unlike the three-piece front bumper, the MGA rear bumper is a single piece, running the full width of the rear of the car. The cross-section is identical to the front bumper, chrome-plated, approximately square with a centre ridge, so the two bumpers have a matching visual appearance from front and rear views. The rear bumper has no starting handle hole (that feature is front-bumper-only). As with the front, the rear bumper was painted silver grey on the inside surface from factory.
Overriders, as front, 2 rear of a car set of 4
The MGA overriders fitted to the rear bumper are the same items as the front, ridged, tapered chrome-plated steel overriders mounted on black PVC mouldings. Two rear overriders are fitted, forming part of the car set of four overriders (two front, two rear).
Rear bumper iron and mounting
The MGA rear bumper iron is the steel structural support behind the chrome bumper, connecting the bumper blade to the chassis-mounted rear bumper springs. The factory rear mounting arrangement uses a trapezoidal mounting bracket attached to the bumper springs, with a vertical lamp bracket adjustable for height carrying the rear number plate and lamp assembly. The rear bumper iron mounts to the chassis via the rear bumper brackets.
Distance pieces, chassis 102381 and later
The MGA rear bumper distance piece is a specific production-change item. From chassis 102381 (July 1961), the factory added two additional distance pieces to the rear bumper brackets to bring the bumper slightly further from the body, a subtle change visible on later 1600 Mk II cars. For restoration to correct specification, pre-chassis 102381 cars do not have distance pieces (the original factory specification), while chassis 102381 and later cars have distance pieces factory-original.
Bumper fitting kit and bolts, three grades
The MGA rear bumper fitting kit provides the complete factory-specification fastener set. Individual chrome and stainless bolt options are also available: chrome bumper-fixing bolts (with nuts, standard length and extra long) are the visible chrome-head bolts that secure the bumper blade, extra-long versions specified where the rear mounting geometry (including any distance pieces) requires additional thread length. Stainless steel bumper fixing bolts (extra long) resist rust better in damp conditions and retain their finish longer than chrome-plated mild steel. A complete stainless bolt kit is stocked for owners preferring long-term corrosion resistance over the factory-original chrome-plated finish.
Additional UNF fasteners
3/8 UNF hex-head bolts (2" length), plain washers (standard and large), and locking spring washers are used for rear bumper structural fixings. 1/2 UNF plain large washers, locking spring washers, and plain zinc nuts are used for the heavy-duty rear bumper spring fixings. 5/16 UNF hex-head screws (3/4" length), thin locknuts, and locking spring washers are used for lamp bracket and smaller fittings.
Welting strip and sealing grommets
Welting strip (overrider to bumper, per metre) is the same rubber welting strip used at the front, fitted between overrider and bumper blade to seal and prevent chrome damage. Rubber grommets seal the bumper iron bolts where they pass through the body panel.
Rear number plate and lamp mounting
The two-piece rear number plate lamp mounting bracket is the factory mounting bracket assembly for the rear number plate and the integrated number plate lamp. The two-piece design allows for correct height adjustment of the lamp relative to the plate. Rear number plate backing plates are supplied in the two factory-original types: wide shallow type for UK-market plates and narrower deeper square type for North American plates. Some export cars may have had no backing plate at all.
A rear number plate bracket secures the backing plate to the bumper iron.
Ordering considerations
For complete rear bumper restoration, the single-piece bumper, overriders, bumper iron, fitting kit, welting strip, and grommets form the core assembly.