MGB & GT Forum

Looking for some guidance.

For my 74.5 BGT restoration, we've put in a Rover 4.6, so I opted for the MGC hood (steel) and I'm having a hard time getting a chrome bumper version grill (Moss p#454-140) to fit (it seems the C hood is a bit flatter where it meets the grill at the center). I'm wondering if the Moss grill p# 455-340 (with the honeycomb style) is the better fit or if it's essentially the same frame just a different inside (slats vs honeycomb).

The car is formerly a rubber bumper (74.5) and I've gone with a Sebring style front and rear so I need to find a nice grill. Suggestions for grill fitting ideas are appreciated.

Thank you!

Stephen Woods

Stephen,
Either of those aftermarket grilles will give you grief to fit properly. Particularly the radius at the outer top corners to the wing. You may need to 'ecourage' the grille radius of the bonnet.

You may consider the recessed grille? This may fit nicer as the 'C' bonnet doesn't have the 'bump' in the center for the grille plinth. Although the honeycomb grille is correct for your model year.

Do all this fitting prior to painting as fitting these aftermarket grille will require 'bodywork'.
If you have time search out an OE grille, they are out there.

B

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Life's most persistent and urgent question is, "What are you doing for others?"

Thank you Bruce, I appreciate your guidance. I'll see what I can source.

Have a read at these links,

https://www.mgexp.com/forum/mgb-and-gt-forum.1/mgb-moss-grille-fitting.3904041.4130440/

https://www.mgexp.com/forum/mgb-and-gt-forum.1/grill-bonnet-alignment.4231253/

This may help you as you crack on

B

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Life's most persistent and urgent question is, "What are you doing for others?"



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024-05-01 02:13 PM by riley1489.

Thank you!!

I put a MGC hood in my 72B. Not because I wanted to fool anybody to think my 72 was a C model, but because. i really like the looks of the C hood over the drab B style hood. On my car also installed is an earlier style grill ass'y. Just something for you to consider.

Looks great! Which grille did you use?

Mr Woods. I wish I could give you a definite answer, I purchased the car with that grill on it. It is an aftermarket grill. The car went thru a total rotisserie resto in the 90's, and I assume that is when the grill was installed.
I believe the grill is made for first generation MG's.

Mmm a hint of jealousy from me. No C bonnets available here other than at a stupid price so I cloned one out of my BGT's bonnet. My GT is obviously a RB but I removed the grille (and all the rest of the RB upfront paraphernalia) and fitted a honeycombe grille w/o need for bonnet curvature change. I sourced my honeycombe grille from Motaclan and did not have the corner issues Bruce mentions. I didn't try with sourcing a fishmouth as it too had its own procurement issues. FWIW both the honeycombe and the earlier slat grille as shown on John's car sit in the same surround (although I'm unsure about the earliest slat grille which had individual slats rather than the later one-piece version),

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Mk1: CKD 11/66 first registered 8/5/67; owned since 3/77. 18GB +40 balanced. Peter Burgess BVFR head. Piper 285. 123. FidanzaFW. 4synch c/r box. Lots more as I did a nut and bolt rebuild; finished 2015. Tartan Red.

GT: December '78. VW Golf guards, flush fit front and rear valances. Torana XU1 vents, frenched indicators & Mk1 rear lights. 'Worked' Rover V8 with Monsoon ECU for EFI. GM4L60E, Lokar tiptronic & Quick4 controller. Vintage Air A/C. FC IFS. CCE 4 link rear. Salisbury with Quaife. Jaguar Storm.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024-05-01 06:58 PM by MGB567.

I agree with Bruce on sourcing an original grille. I’m sure someone has one. When I built my ‘77 BV8, I used an original grille surround, had it rechromed and added wire mesh for inserts.

Regardless of what inserts you choose, the correct shape of an original will be worth it.

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"Speed costs........how fast you want to spend?"

I'm going to find an OEM which most think will give me the best shot at finding one that fits. The reproductions just don't work as well. :-)