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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.
Posted:
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 |
