The body side mouldings run along the flanks of the car across both front wings, both doors, and both rear wings, forming the distinctive horizontal accent line that is one of the defining visual details of these cars and providing a protective detail along the widest part of the body. On the MGB they were carried as original equipment throughout the chrome bumper production run, and from the start of rubber bumper production in September 1974, body-coloured mouldings replaced the chrome type as part of the revised exterior treatment. The same mouldings fitted to the MGB Mark II are used on the MGC, common to both Roadster and GT.
Fixing & Clips
The side mouldings are secured to the body by stud plates, nuts, and spring washers, with body moulding clips holding the moulding to the stud line. The original clips were a press-fit type that deteriorated with age, and on a car where the mouldings have been removed and refitted over the years, damaged or missing clips allow the moulding to rattle, stand proud of the body, or pull away at the ends, so renewing the clips whenever mouldings are removed is recommended. A full set of clips should be ordered with new mouldings, as the original clips are often damaged during removal and will not grip securely on new trim.
Refitting & Replacement
When refitting mouldings after bodywork, a respray, or panel replacement, the clip positions and fixing holes must be correctly aligned to avoid stress on the trim that can cause distortion or cracking, and on a freshly painted car the mouldings should not be fitted until the paint has fully cured, typically a minimum of two weeks for cellulose and longer for two-pack, as the clips compress the paint at the fixing points and can cause dimpling or adhesion failure. If original clip holes have been filled during bodywork, they should be carefully re-drilled using the moulding as a template. New mouldings are available in chrome-plated and stainless steel, chrome providing the correct original appearance while stainless offers a similar bright finish with greater durability, not developing the pitting and flaking that affects chrome as it ages. The six-piece side moulding set is available as a complete car set, with individual mouldings available separately for each position and a dedicated fitting kit for both sides supplying the correct stud plates, clips, and fixings.