The chrome bumper conversion kit transforms the appearance of a rubber bumper MGB, replacing the large polyurethane bumpers introduced in September 1974 with the chrome blade bumpers and overriders of the pre-1974 cars. For many owners this is the single most visually significant change they make to a rubber bumper car, restoring the lower, cleaner front and rear profile that defines the classic MGB appearance.
What the Conversion Involves
It is important to understand that this is not simply a bumper swap. The rubber bumper MGB was built with a bodyshell specifically modified to accept the polyurethane bumper assembly, the front and rear wings were revised with enlarged apertures to accommodate the bumper mounting springs, the rear valance was widened, the rear wings were narrower, the front crossmember was raised by approximately one inch to meet US headlight height regulations, and the bumper mounting points are entirely different from the chrome bumper car. The twin 6-volt batteries of the chrome bumper car were replaced by a single 12-volt battery in a new position. Converting to chrome bumpers correctly involves structural changes to the bodyshell alongside the cosmetic ones.
Structural Conversion Kit
The structural conversion kit supplies the necessary brackets and rear wing inserts to allow the rubber bumper bodyshell to accept chrome bumpers. This addresses the fundamental difference in mounting geometry between the two body types and is the essential first step before any bumper or grille components are fitted.
Grille & Lamp Kits
A complementary grille and lamp conversion kit completes the front-end transformation. Two specifications are available, each replicating a different chrome bumper era. The 1962 to 1970 kit includes chrome bumpers, all-chrome overriders, the slatted grille, and front indicator lamps to produce the earlier MGB appearance. The 1972 to 1973 kit includes chrome bumpers, rubber-faced overriders, the honeycomb grille, and front indicator lamps to replicate the later chrome bumper specification.
Both kits are supplied complete with all fixings.
Ride Height
The raised front crossmember fitted to all rubber bumper cars remains in place after a chrome bumper conversion, meaning the car will sit higher at the front than a genuine chrome bumper MGB unless the ride height is addressed separately. Revised coil spring specifications are available that reduce the front ride height to chrome bumper levels without the need to replace the crossmember and steering rack, both of which differ between chrome and rubber bumper cars and are not interchangeable. The Suspension section covers this in detail.
Heritage Conversion Body Shell
For Roadster owners who want a comprehensive conversion starting from the bodyshell itself, a complete Heritage rubber-to-chrome bumper conversion body shell is available. This uses a rubber bumper substructure clothed in chrome bumper wings, valances, and front-end panels, eliminating the guesswork of fitting chrome bumper panels and lamps to a rubber bumper shell. This is the most thorough route to a visually authentic chrome bumper conversion.