Skip to main content

The MGB GT LE - What it is

 The MGB GT LE is an interesting car. There were a couple of different limited edition MGB's made.

1. Jubilee, 1975MGB

2. Limited Edition LE (1979-1980) - US model

3. Limited Edition LE (1980) - UK model.

 

 MGB Jubilee

In May 1975 Abingdon produced 750 specially prepared MGB GTs to celebrate what British Leyland thought to be the MG Car Company's fiftieth anniversary of the production of MG Cars. Features included some technical changes to meet new US safety standards plus cosmetic features including colour (green only), gold decals and V8 alloy wheels.


MGB LE - US Model

In 1979 British Leyland intended to produced 500 limited edition (LE) model roadsters for the US market but due to demand ended up producing 6682. The US LE model was similar to the UK LE model but with different fittings and colours - black only.

MGB LE - UK Model

These cars were built at Abingdon in 1979/80 and were in fact the last MGs to be built at the famous factory before its closure in October 1980. A total of 1,000 Limited Edition MGBs were produced, 420 in Roadster form, 580 in GT form with the very last of each model going to the Heritage Trust Museum at Gaydon to add to their collection of historic vehicles.

Features included some technical changes and unique cosmetic features including colour (Pewter for GT model and bronze for roadster), stripe decals and Triumph Stag alloy wheels.

 


 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Faulty Ignition Relay and Symptoms - MGB GT 1980

Coming home on Tilt Tray Related posts ==> Other Repairs After picking up my new MGB GT LE it was revealed there were some electrical issues, resulting in the car coming home unceremoniously on the back of a tilt tray truck. I first checked the alternator and voltage regulator but that was ok.  I then took the car to a local auto electrician. The problem was eventually tracked down to a faulty and burnt out ignition relay . In my MGB GT that relay also controls the blinkers and some dash gauges, hence the other odd electrical symptoms were also resolved. This was an interesting learning curve as this little $5 part caused a lot of grief and some unexpected $5 part that cause a lot of grief costs (new battery, tow truck and auto electrician). Knowing now what the problem was I checked the symptoms of a faulty ignition relay which described almost exactly what the car was doing. Symptoms of a faulty ignition relay include: Car suddenly stalls while operating - yes Car not starting

Seat Belt Installation - Inertia Type 1980 Model MGB GT

Original Inertia Spool Related posts ==> Other Repairs My MGB GT LE is a 1980 model and 40 years old. Recently the plastic cover over the original drivers side seat belt latch broke, resulting in the release button falling out and the seat belt latch no longer able to clip together with the buckle. Looking online in Australia, there was no inertia seat belt parts available from the regular MG parts suppliers. I also checked the local auto parts stores and no luck. I then found a local seat belt supplier company who were able to supply a suitable inertia type replacement seat belt unit. The new unit was supplied with the seat belt unit, mounting plate, a sleeve washer, all bolts and spring washers. Following is a summary of buying and installing tips: Original Seat Belt unit with broken  plastic casing on the latch        1. The online search offered two types of seat belts - a simple lap strap and latch unit or a lap/sash inertia unit. Given the year of production (1980) my MGB GT

SU Carburettor Worn Throttle Shaft Air Leak.

SU H4 Carburettor. Thanks and credits go to Mark for contributing this information, with symptoms, diagnosis and the solution described in this article to fix air leak on worn throttle shaft. Well those who have been around cars using the SU H4 carbs would be familiar with this issue and have perhaps wondered why SU seemingly didn't do much to address this key trouble spot in their carburetors, namely air leaks from worn throttle shafts / carb body bushings, or maybe being relatively new to the scene this is a recent development with your own car. Symptoms: Attempts to balance the carbs when they appear to be well balanced only to go completely out of balance at the touch of the throttle. Missing, stalling and running rough at idle and driving, or stalling and the car won't start again. Throttle shaft. Diagnose: With a can of carb cleaner, while the car is idling spray around the area of the suspected shaft. If an air leak exists the carb cleaner will get sucked in and the car