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MG MGB Technical - MGB Door Cards - Mk1

Hi all,

I have changed my MGB to British Racing Green (awesome colour). The upholstery is next to address.

The previous owner had the interior in red (car was white). I am wanting to return it to the black interior with white piping.

To which I have a couple of questions regarding the door cards. The ones I have look like they have been custom made for the car.

I see that there are many that can be purchased 'off the shelf' (ready made).

1. What is the quality of these like?

2. Also; what should the card look like for my B? (1967 Mk1 chrome bumper with overdrive). I ask this as I see many variations online. I'm wanting to return it to it's original specs. But if there are adjustments / better options, I am open to those too.

I have attached a photo of the current door card for reference.

Thanks in advance
Mark


M Duggan

Going by Clausager that looks correct for the first door card, with the single horizontal contrasting strip above the pull-handle (a later version had another below) and two flutes above that. He doesn't mention a lower carpeted section and his photo being of a black card I can't see whether that is carpeted or not. He does mention the red piping doesn't look quite the right colour and the seats have probably been recovered, so the cards may well have been replaced as well, and they have another contrasting strip right at the top by the glass.
paulh4

Hi Mark, I know this doesn’t answer your question, but as you can see from the photo of my car that has a black interior. I have seen cars that are racing green that have a pale cream interior and they look fantastic. Would like to have had mine done in that.
Things like the door cards would probably be a similar quality from most of the suppliers, the seats maybe not, some better than others, would depend on price. When ordering giving the year of the car you would get the one that’s correct for you car,but of course it’s up to you. Trev


Trevor Harvey

Thanks Paul and Trevor for your replies. Really appreciate the feedback and detailed replies.

Paul, I agree with your regarding the carpet below. I don't think those were standard, but was a custom addition. This now gives me a good steer as to what the design should be.

Trevor, I haven't heard of a cream interior. That would be interesting to see! I've always been a fan of the black interior. I have a cost to get a full kit from the UK sent to me here in NZ. Is $1,500 NZD plus shipping. That doesn't include carpets. So I think I may look at getting it made locally. Options to explore. Oh... and your B looks fantastic!

One last question if either of you know. Were these door card originally leather or vinyl? (including the separate padded strip on the top of the trim)

Many thanks
Mark
M Duggan

Hi Mark
I've owned my (Australian assembled) 1965 MGB for nearly 56 years. So I am fairly familiar with MGB Mk I features.

The red door card you have shown is correct for a UK assembled push button door handle MGB Mk I. The red with white piping was correct for an OEW car.
The carpet along the bottom was not originally fitted.

The pull handle cars had an embellished cut-out on the trailing edge about 3/4 up for the lock mechanism.

The other change in the door trim in Mk I cars is the top trim rail. This was originally a more prominent shape, very approximately repeating the dashboard crash-pad roll.
During the course of 1965 (around November 1965 for Australian built cars and roughly 3 months earlier for the Abingdon cars), the top trim rail shape was changed to the more flat profile continued into the Mk II series cars.
Many earlier cars now have the later style trim rail fitted simply because that is what is offered by the parts suppliers, and many later owners aren't aware of what was there originally (or simply aren't bothered by originality).

A few Australian assembled MGB's made their way to New Zealand.
If yours happens to be Australian assembled, all door cards became black and the contrasting piping was discontinued after 1964. So black piping for all cars no matter what the body colour.

I will load a photo taken through my hardtop's rear window which happens to show the earlier top trim rail that my car has.


T Aczel

I just found another photo that shows the door card on my MGB Mk I.
As mentioned, the horizontal piping should be white for a white or BRG body Abingdon car.
The piping on the seats should match that on the door cards.

The securing screws and cup washers incidentally should be "Florentine Bronze". A well-intentioned chap doing some work on my car decided to throw away the "old tarnished screws and washers" and replaced them with shiny new stainless items. Unfortunately I've not been able to find the original types ever since!


T Aczel

My '67 Mk1 still has all of its original trim.

I recently removed the driver's side door card for cleaning.

The car is black, so it has black piping.

Dave O'Neill 2

I think I got bronze without trying some years ago but those advertised now seem to be black or nickel.
paulh4

Hi T Aczel, Dave, and all yo other awesome contributors.

Thanks so much for the advice and images. It really has helped give me a steer as to the option to take. I now have more confidence as to what I should be aiming to reinstate.

Cheers
Mark
M Duggan

This thread was discussed between 04/12/2025 and 10/12/2025

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