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MG MGB Technical - Aluminum Bonnet

Hello everyone,
I am looking at purchacing an older MGB, 1963, in rough shape, and would like to know what production period the aluminum Bonnets where used. I know my 69' B has one and that shortly after they stop using them, but when did they start? Were the aluminum hoods used right from the first MGB off the line, or later? If anyone has this information that would be great. Thank you, Mark.
Mark Guier

I wasn't aware they ever switched away from aluminum. I know my friend's '68 had aluminum and I think another friend had one on his '72.
Steve Simmons

Via our favorite source of historical info, aluminum to steel occured around the end of production of the model year 1969 (sept). Exact date/car numberr unknown. Perhaps at the last MGC--Aug 69
Paul Hanley

I know weight is a definite advantage of the aluminum hood. What are the disadvantages of the aluminum hood if installed on a later model car? I have been told they are difficult to reshape if ever dented...I am not a bodyshop expert so I have no experience at this.
Frank

Paul,
I think our esteemed source is in error on that one. I've got a '70 BGT with an aluminium bonnet, and no reason to think it's not original... Of course that wouldn't be the first instance of the factory changing things haphazardly (or of incomplete recordkeeping).

Frank,
I think the only disadvantage would be the one you state -- they are more easily damaged and more difficult to repair.
Rob Edwards

Frank,

While young and nieve, (ahh, the days) my car had its first resto at a place in So. Cal. The British Resto shop told me the same about being hard to fix and convinced me to but a new steel one from them. I relayed this story to the body man who did my last resto, and he told me that it was BS--he'd have no problem with it. So the place in CA got my aluminum bonnet!! With just one dent in the nose---for free---and made a sale out of it. Did I tell you the one where my driveshaft went bad!

Paul
Paul Hanley

the gt's still had alloy hoods after they started putting steel on the roadsters. This should be listed on one of the mg web sites somewhere.
Barry
Barry Parkinson

Mark
Aluminum Bonnets were used from the start of production. If the 63B does not have one, then it has been switch out at some time in the past.
Jim Lema

Roadsters had Aluminum hoods into or through the '70 cars, GTs into or through '71s. Our only source on this is what has been observed on actual cars - the most authoritative source.
Wade Keene

A few aluminum bonnets snuck onto roadsters as well early in the 71 model year. My GT (Oct 70 build) has an original alloy bonnet, a guy I bought an engine from had a 71 (also Oct 70 build) roadster that also came with an original alloy bonnet.
Paul K

I believe the change over was in the 69 to 70 time frame. Many documented alloy hoods well into the 70 model year. My 70 Roadster has an alloy hood as well. I believe it to be stock, as the car was owned by one family from new before I got the car. They do dent easy, and need additional/different primer when painting. Other than that they do save weight.

Ron Smith

Wade,

Couldn't agree more on the most authoritive source--what we see with our own eyes. Clausager's book is great in many, many respects, but it's certainly not the end all. There are in fact, numerous "mistakes" especially in the photos. Most if not all, are pictures of restorations so by default it's not original but rather what the owner thought was correct. Not to turn this thread in an other direction but for example, how did the brackets on the generator remain natural aluminum yet the generator body is painted engine color? Wasn't it painted all at the same time with the engine (and therefore the bolts too) in "a rather slapdash manner"? Did the factory realy use body color radiator shrouds? pg59 Oh well, just misc. ramblings! Cheers,

Paul
Paul Hanley

Paul,

"how did the brackets on the generator remain natural aluminum yet the generator body is painted engine color? Wasn't it painted all at the same time with the engine (and therefore the bolts too) in "a rather slapdash manner"? "

Yep, the factory shot everything red (or black). Key word everything. Including transmissions - I have enough trans cases from 69 and up cars with engine paint remnants to know that's the case. I was just looking at a friend's '66 trans case and it had overspray on the bell housing, but not the whole thing. There's some good shots and descriptions in "Aspects of Abingdon" showing subassemblies. The way to tell if a panel is original (you likely know this) is look for original primer under hinge plates and so forth. Take apart a few cars and notice these things and learn that they painted the cars with hoods, doors, etc. all attached.

Period photos (a better source than overrestoration photos:)) show VERY early cars with body color radiator surrounds. I would bet that they went to black when they discovered that rad installation is easier when you mount the rad to the surround and then put that assembly into the car.

Safety Fast, Wade
Wade K

Another easy way to tell if your aluminum hood is original or not; the rod that holds it open. Because the aluminum hoods were lighter, they used the simple metal rod. When the steel hoods came out, being heavier, the self-locking style was installed. An owner can certainly swap them around (which one would do if you want to make your restoration look original).

As to the "fragility" (for lack of a better word) of the aluminum hood, a friend of mine just had a hood ruined by a body shop by too much pressure sand-blasting. I realize steel hoods can be damaged in the same way but I'd think at a much higher pressure. A good shop should know what they're doing with either hood.
Simon Austin

Wade,

Thanks for the insights. I did know about the gearbox overspay and being lost somewhere in the originality ozone, the last step before installing my engine and gearbox was to slightly overspray the bellhousing! I think I might need professional help!

Paul Hanley

I've also heard of aluminum hoods bowing upward from wind pressure in the engine bay, and occassionally causing the hood latch to let loose. We all know what happens next...
Steve Simmons

Thankyou everyone for the replies. I have an aluminum hood on my 1976 MGB as well as on my 69', but I put that one on myself. A friend was restoring his 1970 MGB and just ordered all new panels including bonnet and was going to dispose of the orginal alloy bonnet. It did have damage from once opening and flying back against the windscreen, but with a little heat, a lot of patience and some tig weilding, it now looks pretty good on my car. And I love the lightness. Except for the frame and cross members, I did not paint the inside of the bonnet. Instead I polished it. The shine has been quite effective at reflecting light into the engine compartment during odd jobs. I was worried about oxidization, however it has been several years now and it is still nice and shiny. I do whip it down now and then though. Anyways thanks again to all the replies.
Mark
Mark Guier

I'm sure it looks really nice, and I'd love that polished inside on my car. However, installing underhood mats made a huge difference on my car. It runs more quiet and the hood feels a lot stiffer and less "flexy" when I raise and lower it.
Steve Simmons

I have a '70 roadster with a steel bonnet. I have no idea if it is original or not. Precious little else on the car is. The bonnet, however, uses the simple prop rod, rather than the telescoping unit. I believe the telescoping rod appeared with the '71 cars. There is no sign that the prop rod mounting points were welded on or that the bonnet itself was modified in any way.
Paul Noble

Wade

where can i view period photos?

Do you or anyone else know of any good websites for this purpose?

thanks
eric martens

Eric,
"Aspects of Abingdon," edited by Marcham Rhoade I think, is a small paperback that goes into MGB production. I think you can get it through the North American MGB Register, possibly other suppliers. The club copy I was reading is back with the club librarian so I can't tell you much more off the top of my head.

"MGB: The Illustrated History" by Wood and Burrell is good.

"MG by McComb" is OK. It covers all MGs through the late '70s (my edition anyway) so it necessarily doesn't give an overabundance of attention to any particular model.

"MGB including MGC and MGB GTV8" by David Knowles is real good also. has some good stuff on ideas that never got to market in addition to what did.

I think its 'interesting' that the Original book has so few examples that aren't restored, as opposed to actually original.

Safety Fast, Wade
Wade K

oh, and I don't know of any websites.
Wade

This thread was discussed between 27/01/2004 and 29/01/2004

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