MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB Technical - Moss bumper doesn't look right.

I've just bought a replacement front bumper from moss for a '71 gt. I'm noticing some rather significant differences between what i took off (due to rust and dents) and what came in the UPS box. The ends turn out sharply, instead of coming in to the edges the old one has, and the bottom edge has a "lip" along it, so that if one were to cut the bumper in half, it would have a ? profile, instead of the long flat along the top, and the front rolling down to an edge, with no crease in it.
anyway, i'm just wondering if anyone knows anything concerning, 1) is this a difference due to a different design I wasn't aware of for a different year, or is it just a bad replica, and 2) does anyone know where to obtain a more original looking replica or a refurbished original?
thanks.
Simon13

It's bad replica. You may have noticed that it's also lighter in weight. You're best off getting an original re-plated. A good chrome shop can do wonders with what some may cosider too far gone. Did you trash yours already? I can't think of anyone that sells rechromed originals; I had my own done by a local chrome shop. It only cost a touch more than a replacement at the time (3-4 years ago) and has better than original plating. As far as replating goes, the better start they have, ie. the better condtion the piece is in, the less it will cost. I'm sure others will add to this, theres more to learn about plating and it's getting late.
Wade Keene

Ok. Thanks, that's what I was afraid of. The old one would also have to be straightened out from the wreck it was in, and it's pretty impressively rusted.
Simon13

Simon13-
Yes, the reproduction bumpers are indeed trash. My bumpers and overriders were also rusted, but I found that when they came back from the plater they were better than new. Find a good outfit that specialises in Marine-Quality Chrome (the kind used on boats). It'll cost a bit more, but the results are incredible and it'll hold up against almost anything.
Steve S.

Simon,
There was a thread here a couple of weeks ago about overriders, and bumpers came up as part of the discussion. I said at that time, and will say again, (even though Moss butters my bread) you are better off, if you want originality and proper fit, to use your old bumpers and overriders with new chrome. The cost of tooling to exactly duplicate the original as far as contours, etc. is prohibitive. At one time I had two B's, one with repro bumpers and overriders, one with rechromed originals. When they were side by side, most "car guys" could tell that there was a difference, but none of my non gear-head friends could. The repro bumpers are OK, but not perfect. We have sent an original, along with overriders, to a new vendor that we've found to see if they can come closer to OEM.

Craig Cody
Moss Motors, LTD
Craig Cody

it's nice to know that there's at least some hope on the horizon concerning a better replacement from moss.
I think now, funds being limited, and old bumper being mangled, I'm going to end up putting this one on, and then unashamedly drilling holes through it for some extra lights.
When/if I get hold of a better/original replacement, or miracles happen and someone can straighten mine, I'll just swap bumpers for shows, and have lights (not to mention a bumper i won't miss too much if someone parks on it) for daily driving. it's not exactly difficult to swap them.
Simon13

This kinda begs the question that seeing as the MGOC offers a CB conversion kit, where are they getting their bumpers from?

Mike
'79B
Mike Janacek

I've got a response from the tech folks at moss now, as follows:
"Sorry for the problem with the bumper. We have occasionally had bad bumpers shipped out, even though we try to inspect them. I suggest you return it, with a note requesting a hand-picked replacement be sent."

hmm. I somehow don't think vine ripening and hand picking will help, as long as they're all off the same press as what I just unwrapped.

Right mgoc. I frequently forget about them, being to poor to join the club. anyone know anything about their bumpers?
Simon13

It would be nice to know if MGOC's bumpers are really correct and even better. If so, then where and/or how do they get them made at anything like a reasonable price? Anyone got a recent PHOTO of their offerings as received??? Anyone know their suppliers?

As I mentioned previously, what happened to the tooling for those we were sold not so long ago? I have a very nice repro front bumper which came with a sticker on it, "made in japan" some 13 yrs ago. Who were those guys? Have those and other suppliers such as Tasker Metal Products destroyed the tooling or did it simply slip into obscurity? I am amazed at how much tooling manages to escape the ravages of time and shifting priorities. However, I am also sure that more gets scrapped than saved, even under those ubiquitous blue tarps.



Bob Muenchausen

I sent an e-mail to MGOC 5-6 weeks ago inquiring about the quality of their bumpers. Their resonse was the same as Craig Cody's. Their bumpers are not the same quality as new ones and if you really want the quality look you would be better of re-chroming original units. Let's hope that Moss's search for a new supplier works out. There seems to be a big requirement for good quality bumpers.
Mike Crowley

Aove should read "their quality is not the same as original ones"
Mike
Mike Crowley

well, that's good to know then. thanks.
(finally updated the user information, i was simon13)
Peter Ballinger

Simon13,
I bought my front bumper off a guy on ebay who was advertising them as genuine OEM parts. He was asking around $100 and the pictures looked good enough to me. I thought it was a risk worth taking.
To my surprise, it turns out the bumper is the best looking example I have ever seen. It's a heavy gauge steel with excellent plating, even better than the original still on the car. (I bought it because mine is dented pretty bad)
I emailed the guy and asked him where he obtained such an excellent bumper. He told me he used to go to swap meets in the early '70s and had acquired an assortment of mg spares. I know he had several of these bumpers at one time, but they may be sold by now. His ebay username is martyfarty6996. Maybe you could email him and see if he has any more. ...Worth a shot anyway.

Scott
Scott Wooley

This thread was discussed between 31/05/2002 and 02/06/2002

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.