The MGB and MG B GT changed many times during the 18 years they were produced. Appearance (bumpers, front grille, rear lamps and interior) as well as mechanical (engine, emission equipments, gearbox, starter motor) undergone minor or major changes to comply with local regulations. Here are the main evolutions detailed with pictures. Learn to identify the MGB version that will meet your needs.

MG B and B GT, Mark1 and Mark2 : 1962 - 1969

From 1962 to 1969 the MGB is fitted with a nice chromed grille. Many later MGB owners fitted this early MGB grille type on their cars.	This is a Mark 1 MGB without reverse lamps. Until 1970, over-riders are fully chromed.	Pre 1970 MGBs bear this three pieces MG badge with the chrom MGB lettering on the boot lid.	The thin tail lamps at close up. These lasted until 1969.
This dashboard of the earliest type was fitted to all MGBs to 1967. And on European MGB's to 1971. So was this original steering wheel.	Up to 1968, leather seats are offered with a contrasting piping.	Up to 1970, MGB's weather equipment is the pack-away type. The hood and frames are stowed in the boot when not in use. This pictures shows the hood cover frame.	Here goes the hood and hood cover frames when fitted.
Some french market export MGBs were fitted with yellow headlamp lenses.	The MGB has a superior boot capacity in comparison with MGA or other British sports cars. But the spare wheel still fill half of the available room. A luggage rack allows to carry more than one suitcase.	This is not an original steering wheel, but a rare LES LESTON. On this car, the dashboard was painted in the same body colour.	Launched in 1965, the MGB GT benefits from a  roofline designed by Pininfarina.
This MGB GT is fitted with period Hella fog lamps. The interior trim is red with white piping, a colour combination available with its original sandy beige body paint.	This is a Mark 1 MG B GT, without reverse lamps. An additional fog lamp is visible on the lower left side.	Pre 1970 MGB GTs  bear the same three pieces MG badge as the roadster, with a specific MGB GT lettering.	Standard on all export markets, painted wire wheels (chromed ont this picture) had two eared knock-ons until 1967. .
This is a Mark 2 MGB GT. From front view, there are no differences with the Mark 1. This car has no front over-rider.	This MGB GT mark 2's colour is mineral blue. Here with front over-riders.	On this 1968 MGB GT Mk2 the grille and chromed overriders are original.	Late Mark 1 MGBs built in 1967 and mark 2 have these small square reverse lamps.
These blue seats with light blue piping are the correct trim combination with a mineral blue MGB. .	From 1968, north american export MGBs  have a new dashboard to comply with the new US safety regulations. Also notice the headrests.	This soft trimmed dashboard type is nicknamed "Abindgon Pillow". Abingdon is the city were MG cars were produced until 1981.	From 1968 (MGB mark II), eared knock-ons were no longer allowed. Wire wheels were locked with octogonal spinners.

From 1970 to 1972 the front grille is the new recessed type.	At first glance, no change on the rear end. On this car, the  over-riders should be rubber covered.	There are new rear lamps and badges.	The B GT lettering in a new design moved to the left side. The rear lamps size is unchanged but now the lenses are flat to increase visibility. The reverse lamp is unchanged.
Even if the roof line was designed by Pininfarina, the rear window look much like Bertone's Alfa Romeo Giulia GT coupe.	From 1970, the wire wheels became optionnal on export markets too.	On european cars built from 1970 to 1972, dashboard is almost the same as 1960's cars. The car radio is located in the middle while the speaker take place in a centre console above.	New steering wheel with stamped round holes. The gear lever knob is not original.
From 1973 to 1976, european dahsboard is sligthly modified. New air vents replace the car radio, now moved to a new centre console. This car has an original round gear lever knob.	On all but american markets, the MGB Mk2 have two windscreen wipers.	Until 1972 wipers were bright finished, and painted black from 1973. Three wipers indicate with no doubt an US export MGB mark 2 convertible built from 1969.	The side marker lamps appeared on US export cars from 1970. But they are often deleted by owner's choice when car is restored. This MGB's paint is Harvest Gold a colour that was available from 1972 to 1976.
This car has the correct over-riders type fitted from 1970. But the grille is the one of an earlier version.	At this point, you should know what is this MG's model year.	On a US export MGB Mark 2, the side marker lamps have red lenses.	This black and chrome rear badge appeared in 1970 on the MGB's bootlid. It lasted on GTs only from 1970 to 1972. The MGB lettering will be deleted starting 1975.
Another Harvest Gold US export MGB. Still with a pre 1970 grille.	Rostyle wheel were standard equipment from 1970.	Two tones Rostyle wheels where fitted on several cars in the 70's. Here on a Ford Capri.	In 1973, the MGB GT rear badge is now single piece.
The MGB engine is a 1798cc Austin series B. Reliable, quite powerful with enough torque to re-accelerate from 1300 rpm in third gear.	A 1973  "Teal blue" MGB next to a North America export  (3 wipers) built between 1969 and 1972.	Here is another 1973 MGB with the correct honeycombe grille.	The new seat pattern introduced in 1973.

This is the most important aesthetic change in MGB history : new rubber front and rear bumpers.	These bumpers comply with the American safety regulation which applied to bumpers to prevent the damage to the car body at barrier impact speeds of 5 mph.	As the US standard requires protection in the region 16 to 20 inches above the road surface, Rubber bumper MGBs have a higher ride heigth.	The minilite wheels are nice accessories. Despite their appearance, these cars are a good choice for those looking for a daily driver MGB.
As they are always black, dark MGBs look better that light tone ones with these rubber bumpers. Some owners painted the rubber bumpers in the same body colour.	Like most of the left hand drive rubber bumper MGBs, this one is a US export car.	As you can see with specific side  markers, license plate, and red/amber (instead of amber/red) rear lamp lenses.	Some rostyle wheels were repainted in a single colour (usually black or grey). This car is fitted with optional chrome wheel rims.
New change in 1977 : this is the latest "US export " dashboard type.	The radio console changed too.	The insturments are new. The speedometer now reads a maximum 80Mph. Deceptive in comparison to early MGBs but fast enough in United States where speed limit is 55 mph.	Still in 1977, door trim changed to a new design with radio speakers pre installation.