Documenting originality can be helpful with concours judging. Judges are not professionals. Although there are reference books, over 18 years of production, there were many changes to the MGB.
Speaking of reference books one of the best for the MGB is “Original MGB” by Anders Ditlev Clausager. I have a copy of this myself. I’ve provided a link to Amazon if you’re looking for a copy.
For the NAMGBR version of concours there is the concept that the car should be as close to how it left the factory in Abingdon as possible. They also allow for the car to be as close to how it “could” have left the factory. This means that options that were available could be added to a car without this counting against the originality. In my specific case I have changed the original standard 4-speed gearbox with a 4-speed gearbox with overdrive. However, my overdrive is a blue label LH which is an option for a 1977 MGB. So, this is indeed still how the car could have left the factory. I do have the original dealer delivery checklist and also a British Motor Heritage Certificate as part of my originality documents.
1977 MGB Extras
My 1977 MGB has some things that might appear to not be original. It has a luggage rack, wheel trim rings and the black striping from end to end. It even has a radio and 8-track cassette player with speakers in the doors.
So as part of my efforts to improve the car for concours I did some research on these items. As it turned out all these items were indeed factory, or dealer added, original.
So I was able to keep documenting originality.
1977 MGB Super Special – Historical Evidence
I have been able to find and obtain 3 pieces of confirmation that these “extras” where indeed correct for 1977. For the US market, in 1977, there was a promotion to include these extras in the standard price. It was referred to as a “Super Special”. I have this information with me when doing concours to help assist with documenting originality of the car.
1977 MGB Super Special Commercial
Here is the TV commercial that shows the four items that might not immediately seem to be original.
1977 MGB Super Special Print Ads
I was at a car show where one of the vendors was selling period materials and they had two 1977 print advertisements for the MGB Super Special. These also list the same extras as being included and I purchased these two advertisements.
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