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MG MGB Technical - 1980 MGB GT LE

I believe I have a 1980 MGB GT LIMITED EDITION. I have not found any reference to this model in production history. 6668 MGB LE models were produced for the U.S. Would the GT models be included in this count.? The car has the original black paint, LE striping and decal, but aslo has an overdrive gear and wood steering wheel as well as the GT hardtop.
Michael Anderson

There was no GT model Limited Edition for the States, properly speaking.

What you seem to have is an aftermarket hardtop and steering wheel added to a car with black paint and an LE decal. It MAY very have started out as a U.S. LE, but it has been altered by either the dealership or subsequent owners. Where and how does it identify itself as a "GT Limited Edition"?

An MGB GT is a coupe with a hatchback, and while it was withdrawn from our market after 1974 1/2, it continued to be sold in the UK. In fact, the UK had their own Limited Editions, one bronze colored roadster version and a pewter GT version for the 1980 (?) model year. It had the same wheels and decal design as the US version, only the wheel centers had a red MG logo in lieu of your black.

With aftermarket sales of the LE wheels and decals, it is indeed possible to "build your own" LE, as well.

As the LE was built up along side all the other MGB's of the time, I don't know if there's a good record of precisely what cars were LE's and what not. If memory serves, the paint and equipment was factory installed, but the actual plaque was dealer installed. They often went adrift from each other.

Perhaps someone with more specific knowledge of the LE could comment further.
John Z

This is not a hatchback. It is the standard B body with the hard rubber type roof (round rear windows). I thought that was a GT roof. Apparently not. The transmission has overdrive - I was also under the impression that this was a GT only feature.
Michael Anderson

OD was featured on the US market LE's. It may well be that this car was a genuine US LE that has had an aftermarket hardtop and steering wheel put on. It is definitely NOT a GT. The OD was put on roadsters and GT's both as a standard feature for UK cars after 76 or so, but was optional in the US.
Paul Konkle

What is the significance, if any, ot this hardtop? Is it an original equip. option or aftermarket add-on?
Michael Anderson

Michael. There is one way to tell if you have a true LE. Look in the glovebox and read the tire specifications. The LE came with 185s while the standard roadster came with 165s. The standard tire pressure sticker is available as a replacement, but I have never seen the LE one offered. If your car shows tire pressures for the 185-14 tires, it is probably an LE. As to the hard top. These were fiberglass and were available from factory and aftermarket sources. The factory hardtop would have been a dealer option and may, or may not, have been ordered with the car. Many people like the hardtop for winter use, but it is not a common item. I find it makes the interior more noisy as it does not have a lot of sound deadening inside. You either like them or you do not. My daughter likes the one on her car. I do not own one. Les
Les Bengtson

1. What's your car's VIN? Many of us have a listing of the VIN's for the LE cars.
2. Your hardtop is not original but that's irrevelent as original hardtops can be easily found.
3. Wood sateering wheel was not standard on LE's but, again, easily replaced back to original.
4. Some LE's had overdrive, some did not.
5. What style wheels do you have? The LE's all had their own distinctive wheels.
6. Does your car have a Limited Edition placque on the glove box? All LE's had them.
7. Look in unusual places such as behind the radio console down by the heater vents or up under the dash behind the speedo to see if the car was ever any color other than black...sure indicator that you have a fake. All US LE's were black.
....but, post the VIN & I'll tell you for sure (unless someone changed out the VIN from an LE)
Tony Barnhill

Thanks for the definitive answers. I'll spend some time with the car tomorrow and post the VIN. I have found some of the VIN postings, but would feel more assured having someone more familiar with the models verify. The car is black and has the appropriate striping and MGB decal on lower front quarter panel and LE wheels. I will check for glove box badge and tire pressure specs. as well.
Michael Anderson

Michael,

OD was definitely NOT limited to LE models. Perhaps more LE's had OD than non-LE's, but OD was always an option on MGB's, except in the very, very early models. OD appeared late in 1963, I think.

Check your local bookstores and/or public library for a copy of "Original MGB" by Anders Clausager, former archivist for the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust. Another good book is "The Illustrated MGB" by Jonathan Wood. The Borders Books near me usually has one or two copies of each, plus a few other MG books. Both these books have much more information about LE's and MGB's in general. Check out the pictures of the GT. As lovely as a standard MGB is, the GT is, IMHO, absolutely beautiful. Once you know the difference, there is no mistaking the two.
Paul Noble

Sounds to me like Mike was confused about what a GT is. I believe he has an actual MGB LE, it just has an aftermarket hardtop (he did say round windows right?) installed that threw him off.
william fox

William, I think that you have it. Will let you know.
Mike

This thread was discussed between 30/11/2001 and 01/12/2001

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