MGB: What year is my MGB?

Ok guys, here it goes.

I was finally able to bring my (project) MGB car home last Sunday. The gentleman that sold me the car said it was a 1973 MGB, it's color (Orange)?

So as I began stripping the body, found, the VIN and found the door plate that says it was built in England 11/73.

So...is this a 1973 Model or 1974? The sticker on the front valance says that the emissions has passed the California test for 1974 Year Model cars.

How can I be sure?

Thanks!

Chris Tyler

I would assume it is a 74. My 74B was built in October 73 according to the plate in the drivers door. Assuming you are in the U.S., does the title not say what year it is?

No title...

Its probably a 1974. Production usually began in Sept. or October of the year prior to the model year, at least during those years. In the early years, the model year concept was not very well-defined.

You can find out more, by getting a Heritage Certificate. Officially known as a Production Record Trace Certificate, it will tell you the exact date(s) that the car went through the Abingdon plant, original color, engine number, transmission number, key numbers and factory installed equipment. It comes on a a nice, ready-to-frame certificate. Its a bit pricey. I think that, at the current exchange rate, it is about $50. Go to http://www.heritage.org.uk/archive/trace.htm

Titles are often wrong with these cars. If the car was, at some point in the past, found in a barn and rebuilt, it may have been assigned a new title. Often the inspectors see the build date and use that for the model year.

If you have a printed Moss catalog, they have a chart in the front that relates VIN to model year. I haven't been able to find it on their website.

What year did they come out with those huge overriders? Was that the 74 1/2 model year?

The oversized "Sabrina" overriders (named for an actress with large overriders, herself) were introduced during the 1974 model year, so an early '74 wouldn't have had them. I'm not sure exactly when they started. Clausager would probably have that info.

The 1974 1/2 cars had the full-blown rubber bumpers, but dual SU carbs. They were only produced from Sept. or Oct. 1974 until Dec. 31. Cars built after Jan. 1, 1975 were the 1975 models, with the single carburetor. The 1974 1/2 cars were also the last for U.S. MGB/GT's.

I consider the 'Sabrina' cars as '74.25', as there were the three different types of bumpers that year.... Looks like the 'Sabrina' style ones were started at car # 339095 for Tourer, 339472 for GT's, in January of 1974. These lasted until the 74.5 cars, in September of 74.

Dan D.

The first 1974 roadster was built in August 1973 & was VIN GHN5/UE/328801.....the Orange in 1974 was Blaze....the 'Sabrina' overriders were only on North American cars built between January 1974 (car #339095) & September 1974 (#360301)when the rubber bumpers arrived

From a 1984 Moss catalog:
Model year 1974 - 1st month 8/73 - 1st RD GHN5/UE/328101, GT GHD5/UE328801
Engine Nos RD (non OD) 18V/672Z/L14891*, OD 18V/673Z/L14891*, GT (non OD) 18V/672Z/L13234*
Commission Nos RD G23N/86226*, GT G23D/70589
Body Nos RD MGBU/600101, GT GBUD/820101
First in Calendar 1974 RD GHN5/UE/33890, GT GHD5/UE/338560
*These numbers are approximate.
And if anybody says these are wrong, blame it on Moss!

that catalogue is older than me!

Came with the car when I bought it in '96, and I kept it as a reference. My newer Moss catalogs don't have that information (or at least I didn't see it).