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MG MGB Technical - heritage shell

Hi Can anyone tell me exactly what alteration have to be made on a heritage shell to the engine bay
inner wing panels on a chrome bumper roadster, I understand the lever arms foul the flich panels, as I belive they are made from the rubber bumper tooling. Also if anybody has completed a reshell I would love to hear your feeling on the project.ie did everything fit OK
Thank Wayne
Wayne Evans

Wayne,

If you have a chrome bumper, UK/Euro spec, LHD or RHD, mgb roadster from G-HN4 138401 to 360300 (1967 to 1974) order shell part number HZA4245. This should not require any modifications, but didnt you say you had a GHN5? Shouldnt that be a rubber bumper car?

Dont expect everything to fit. The Heritage shells certainly have superior rust proofing compared to the factory originals, however, to achieve even the factory standards of panel fits requires a lot of bending, stretching, squashing and adjustment. When you read All completed bodyshells pass through the hands of skilled craftsmen who fit the front wings, doors, boot lid, bonnet and front valance in specially constructed finishing bays. This ensures the accurate alignment and of the outer skin panels, making the finished cars look exactly as they should this simply means that the doors, boot lid and bonnet are attached (in my case anyway).


On my V8 shell the fit of the boot lid was particularly poor, the bonnet was not much better and the bottom of the drivers door was rubbing on the sill. The rear light apertures are poorly formed and finished and the sill seams are (excessively) wide, the grill is a poor fit (this also due to the poor quality of the new grill) and the scuttle was the wrong type. The radiator supports were welded in the wrong place and the oil filter bracket was also incorrectly positioned. All that and more for 4K (plus paint).

I suggest you buy the shell in primer (I made the mistake of having it painted before delivery) fit at least the grill, windscreen, quarter lights, radiator, front crossmember and steering. Make sure the door apertures are correct and the panel fits are satisfactory then strip the car again for painting. I would remove the doors and possibly the boot lid and bonnet and paint these separately.

Geoff
Geoff King

Geoff
thanks for the reply, where did you have your shell painted, Mine is being done at the MGOC and like you i am having mine painted prior to delivery, I only hope it is better than yours sounded.
thanks again
Wayne
Wayne Evans

I'm sure Geoff will have lots to add on your question, Wayne. :-)
Believe me,having had the pleasure of an evening spin around the Aberdeenshire countryside (Thanks, Geoff) Geoff's car is superb, and that V8 growl is something else! But, the fact it is so good is down to Geoff's efforts and attention to detail.

Martin
Martin

Wayne,

The club also painted mine. Check your e-mail, I have sent a message.

Geoff
Geoff King

Hi guys
Come on fellas this web page goes out to the world, and only 3 people know about this, surely not.
Wayne
Wayne Evans

Wayne,

I understand what you are saying. It is strange how some questions get a very poor responce. I have one on the board at the moment about late brake master cylinders and Geoff is the only person who has responded.

As to heritage shells, I know very little about them so don't rely on my comments. However, my understanding was that all the shells use the later inner wings that were first introduced on the chrome bumper B GT V8 and later standardised. These inner wings have an extra depression in them to clear the original V8 exhaust manifold (I think). I would be very surprised if this comes into conflict with the lever arm dampers.

David
David Witham

Unfortunately although this page goes out around the world, AFAIK heritage shells do not... At least not to any great degree. I would imagine that a fair number have been sold to many countries, but the exhange rate means that for, say for example our American friends, it is a very pricey purchase.

Don't forget also that they (the Americans) have a lot of (comparatively) rust free chassis' over there from some climes eg California, which transporting and sorting out, is cheaper than a new heritage shell plus shipping etc.

A recent thread proved just this, as an American (as far as i can remember) was interested in purchasing one.

I see you must be a member (as you don't have non-member stated against your name). I suggest you also look in the archives to gain more info.

~PHIL
Phil

This thread was discussed between 16/09/2003 and 18/09/2003

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