By modern standards, the MGB is a small car. I felt that I needed to improve my safety and visibility in traffic by installing a high level third brake light. I found that a unit from a VW Passat B6 was ideal for the job! Read more here

This weekends job was to tidy up the trim in the boot area so it doesn’t look quite so bad and to improve noise insulation. It was made from some 5mm hardboard and some aluminium angled strips that I had laying around the workshop. I covered it in the same carpet that I’ve used for the rest of the car. It’s had a noticable positive effect on noise which can only get better once I add some more noise insulation to the underside.

I got refunded for the carpet that I ordered. Other vendors, whilst probably much more reliable and undoubtedly better quality were double the price, so I decided I’d stop being lazy and make my own using some rolled carpet that I bought from a friend. I spent a few days to complete and I’m proud of what I achieved. The end result is something that looks like it should be there. Perhaps it’s not stunningly good quality but also it doesn’t look at all out of place, which is mission accomplished. I’ve also re-taxed the car now that the weather is better so I’m enjoying driving it again. I’ve still got some more interior and exterior trim to complete, but it’s mostly done ready for what remains of 2021 show season.

I’ve been slowly working through the jobs. The new side chrome strips are installed and it’s immediately obvious that I need to tweak the door alignment but that can wait until the summer. The drivers and passenger door mechanisms are installed. I’ve also installed some central locking solenoids so that both door locks will operate from the alarm keyfob or from the drivers door if opened manually. I did post about this on an MGB forum but it turned into a rather nasty debate on whether you should even lock your MGB so I ended up deleting the thread. Seems they didn’t mind me swapping the engine for a v6, changing from rubber to chrome bumpers, but daring to install central locking solenoids is a definite no-no!

I’m also frustrated by an online seller who’s not delivering the carpet that I ordered a month ago. I don’t mind being patient but he’s giving me almost no comms to let me know what’s happening, and the few responses I did get from him were lies (“it’s in the post” and “I’ll refund you”). It’s escalated into a Paypal dispute so hopefully I’ll get that refunded soon and ordered from elsewhere. I have, however, rebuilt most of the interior trim panels with new hardboard where necessary and new foam backed vinyl so they’re now looking rather nice. Once the carpet is in place, there’s only some missing chrome trim before it’s ready for 2021 show season (assuming it’s not cancelled again this year!)

Refitting is taking a little longer than I’d hoped. I’m taking my time to make sure that everything goes together perfectly and I don’t have any mishaps with the new paint. I also need to get some trim that’s missing, for example the front part of the roof gutter trim, half of the front windscreen seal locking trim and some badge grommets. I also, apparently, have some carpet in the post but it’s not arriving. The vendor is very bad at communicating but hopefully it will turn up some time soon.