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Jubilee MGBGTV8s
Only one Jubilee specification MGBGTV8 (BRG/Gold 2605) was
produced by the MG Factory in June 1975. It was in BRG with
a Gold Jubilee side flash on each side and also had gold coloured
Dunlop composite wheels and gold badging. Later University Motors
produced some similar cars, most prepared in a Jubilee style
before delivery to their customers. One of the UM Jubilee cars
is owned by a longstanding V8 enthusiast, Bob Grieves.
(Dec 18)
MG's "Golden Anniversary" year in 1975
As a marketing ploy at a time when sales were struggling, 1975
became MG's "Golden Anniversary" year and as part
of a major marketing effort the MG Plant at Abingdon made some
"Jubilee" changes to MGBGT and V8 production. But
there are three groups of "Jubilee" MGBGTV8s. The
panels alongside cover these three groups of "Jubilee"
MGBGTV8s.
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181217
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Factory produced Jubilee MGBGTs & V8s
Why did they have Jubilee cars? Well the MG Plant produced
only one Jubilee MGBGTV8 but many more Jubilee 1800 MGBGTs as
part of the company's celebration of the "MG Jubilee
Year 1975".
They were produced in British Racing Green with a Gold Jubilee
flash on each side of the car using a six part kit of Coachline
Gold tapes. Looking back the Jubilee models were clearly a BL
marketing ploy because in 1975 sales of MGBGTs and V8s were
slow - for example University Motors in Epsom had an MGBGTV8
in Sandglow in their showroom waiting for a buyer for six months.
Single Jubilee MGBGTV8
A single Factory Jubilee MGBGTV8 was produced
(BRG/Gold 2605) in June 1975 for David Headon, the managing
director of the British School of Motoring. The current whereabouts
of this rare car are not known.
Limited run of 750 Jubilee MGBGTs
As part of the Jubilee changes the Factory produced 750 Jubilee
MGBGTs which were specially finished with British Racing Green
paintwork and gold coloured side panels, V8-style wheels in
black and gold, satin black door mirrors and steering wheel
spokes, black carpets and a dashboard badge.
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Factory Jubilee year MGBGT & V8 changes
For the Jubilee 1975 calendar year, the changes included
Pale Gold coloured MG badges instead of the usual chrome items,
the metallic blue lettering of the tailgate "MGBGT"
badge changed to Black although the background was still silver,
and the background to the moulded MG badge on the horn push
of the steering wheel was changed from red to yellow.
These Jubilee year changes were also made to many MGBGTV8s
built during 1975 and additionally the chrome "V8"
badges on the nearside wing and tailgate were changed to an
anodised pale gold colour and the background colour of the nose
badge was changed from red to black. As with many change points
made during V8 production, there was some "flexibility"
over exactly when these changes started and ended in terms of
cars in production.
See an illustrated note with photos provided by Timothy Southall
of his "Jubilee year" MGBGTV8 (Tahiti Blue 2371),
details of the change points from David Knowles' book, "MG
V8" and parts notes from Peter Beadle (formerly parts manager
at University Motors, Epsom). More
& More |
University Motors "Jubilee style" MGBGTV8s
Leading MG distributor, University Motors, produced some similar
"Jubilee style" MGBGTV8s during 1975 and into 1976.
Most were converted to Jubilee style before delivery to their
customers. One is owned by a longstanding V8 enthusiast, Rob
Grieves. His V8 (Black 2788) was built in February 1976 and
supplied by University Motors at Hanwell in West London and
first registered in April 1976. Rob says "it is believed
that the Jubilee side flashes were put on by University Motors
when the car was prepared for sale to the first owner. But the
car retained its Black bodywork applied during "Paint finishing"
during production at the MG Plant, its Autumn Leaf coloured
cord seats and the original carpets.
So the UM "Jubilee style conversion" only included
some of the features of the limited run of Factory produced
Jubilee cars.
See an illustrated article from Rob Grieves on his "UM
Jubilee style" MGBGTV8 (Black 2788). More |
