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MG MGB Technical - Mk ll or Mk lll


Never been much of a "stickler" for the differences between models until now.
I'm working on a right-hand drive 1970 MGB, with O/D trans, that was bought new and then imported to Canada, and is still owned by the original owner.

Since it's an import, there are a few differences to what we in North America saw with the 1970 model.

My question is this: is there any physical way I can tell if this car is considered a Mkll or a Mklll?

It does matter on a few of the resto items.
JR Ross

How do you define the MK's?

I think it is:
MKI: original 3 synchro cars 62-65.
MKII: 4 synchro cars, leather upholstery etc. 66-69
MKIII: Leyland era starting with black hole grille and plastic upholstery 70-74
Willem vd Veer

Look at the chassis number - the fourth character should be a digit either 3, 4 or 5 (1 and 2 being used on the MGA). 3 denotes Mk1, 4 Mk2 and although Clausager for example doesn't use the term 5 can be taken to mean Mk3 if you wish and was used from late 69 until the full VIN numbers were used in 1980.
PaulH Solihull

Gents,

a good guessing game for the club meet...

Mk1, 3 and 4 sync up to 69 with chrome grill, leather seats etc
Mk2 with vinyl seats, recessed grill, toggle switches
Mk3 Brushed nylon seats, rocker switches, centre console face vents and honeycomb grill.
RB a class on there own.... Best left alone IMHO;0)

MGmike
M McAndrew

I always thought the MK 1 in the US ended with the 1967?
Bruce Cunha

JR-
MKI: 1962-68, Three-Synchro transmission
MKII: 1969-1974, Four-Synchro transmission
MKIII: 1975-1980, Rubber Bumper cars

Technically, MG never produced a MKIII model. MG enthusiasts named the Rubber Bumper cars the MKIII.
Stephen Strange

IMHO Mk3 is the BL era recesssed grill with BL badges on the side. Mk4 is the rubber bumper. In Oz we have Mk1 Mk2 and the BL which is from 72 to 74 and had the 18v engine, the slotted grill and interior upgrades (headrests maybe). We never got the RB models.
Allan
A J Ogilvie

May be one of those points of difference, but Clausager says the MK1 ended in late 1967 for the US. According to his figures here were 520 MKII produced as LHD for north america in the end of 1967.

Clasager stated that 108 RHD's were made for the German market in 1968.

So it would appear that both 1967 and 1968 are correct
Bruce Cunha

One has to laugh ...

Mk1 (GH*3) ended/Mk2 (GH*4) started at a particular chassis number (138360/138401 for roadster, 137795/139471 for GT). As did GH*5 (187170/187841). End of.

PaulH Solihull

This thread was discussed between 22/06/2011 and 24/06/2011

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