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MG MGB Technical - '66 Heater Box Cover - ??????

I have some questions on dating this heater box. I have two '66 MGB's. One is in restoration now and I hope to present it at the concours level. The heater box that came with it has the usual embossed SMITHS name and a raised diagonal stripe (5:30 to 11:30) next to the blower motor. The front cover still retains two stickers. The top one, with black background and white lettering, reads:

Si SMITH INDUSTRIES LIMITED
MADE IN UNITED KINGDOM
FHR 3456/05 12V.

The bottom label, with black background and red lettering, reads:

CAUTION
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRAIN HEATER
UNIT WHEN DRAINING REMAINDER
OF COOLING SYSTEM
UNDER FREEZING CONDITIONS
BLUECOL ANTI-FREEZE
MUST BE USED

I can't say whether this heater box is original to this particular car (Chassis Number: GHN3L/74874), as it had gone through several owners. The second '66B that I have does have an original heater box. This I know, for I'm the original owner. It, in contrast to the above, has a heater box without the raised diagonal stripe. Additionally, the stickers are missing and I can't remember what they looked like. Based on its chassis number (GHN3L/79186) it came off the line sometime later. Was the raised diagonal stripe an earlier version identifier? I've been told the heater box on cars made in '66 and '67 could have a case with or without a 'diagonal' pressed into the box near the motor.

Anyone out there care to comment?
Steve Buchina

Steve,
I have a '62 in the garage at home that has the original heater. I'll look at it tonight.
Dave
David Steverson

Steve,
My '62 heater box is quite plain, no diagonal.
David
David Steverson

Thanks David - as said, that's what I'm seeing with my original '66 (first car). I've tried looking at pictures of other restorations (on the web), but none are showing close-ups of the heater box. Hoping other owners will post what they have. Sticker descriptions for this period ('65-'67) would also be helpful. My reason for asking - there's a gentleman on ebay who does very good work on restoring these boxes and he has one in stock. He's pretty sure it would be correct for a '66, but it comes with the diagonal stripe. He's the one who said '66-'67 heater boxes were a mixed lot - just want to confirm before possible buy.
Steve Buchina

I had a thread on early heater boxes going recently in the MGB General forum. Search the recent archives for a thread entitled "Heater Restoration - Lettering". Best of luck, and I will be watching this thread!
Steve Simmons

Steve,
Thanks for the suggestion. I had read your thread when it was running and went back tonight hoping I had missed something. But - my primary question about a diagonal stripe on the front cover of some '66 heater boxes goes unanswered. Available information suggests - probably not, but ...

'62 MGB
David Steverson, Georgia
No diagonal (provided info)

Emmanuel Kafant, North Carolina
No diagonal (from photo)


'64 MGB
Steve Simmons, California
No diagonal (from photo)


'66 MGB
Steve Buchina, Alabama
No diagonal (original owner)

Steve Buchina, Alabama
Diagonal on previously owned roadster


'67 MGB
R Lynex, Cornwall, United Kingdom
No diagonal (that I can see in photo)
Steve Buchina

My '67 B has no diagonal but my '72 midget has, if that helps?!
Dave O'Neill

Steve,
Just a thought that 1967 was a mix and match year for MGB.
David
David Steverson

Thanks Dave and David - it's looking more and more like the '62-'66 model years didn't have a diagonal. Perhaps the 67's were a mixed group, as David said. Any '68 owners care to describe theirs?
Steve Buchina

This thread was discussed between 11/01/2007 and 13/01/2007

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