New rear valence

[Jim Stabe]

Just as I was about to start the bodywork in preparation for paint, my old pal Lloyd kindly pointed out how unfinished the back end of the MGB is in the area under the tail lights. It never really bothered me until he pointed it out and then that was the first thing I noticed when I walked up to the car. The stock rear valence curves in way too early leaving the tail light and bumper hanging out there in space. You can see the problem in the first photo and the second picture shows the difference.

Before



After





 It is really noticeable with the bumper off and that is why the Sebring body kit fairs the tail light housing into the valence and the valence itself is flush with the rear panel below the trunk lid - smooth's out the back end of the car nicely.

 I am running a bumper so I couldn't copy the Sebring kit exactly. I formed the new valence so the top edge would be covered by the bumper but the contours would fool the eye into thinking it started at the tail light housing above the bumper. You can see how far the new valence extends back from the original.



 The lower edge is made from 1/2" tubing bent and welded to the lower edge of the sheet metal to soften the edge. The opening foe the exhaust is 1/4" rod that will be blended in with Bondo to form a slight flare around the pipes. Once the new valence was welded in place, I cut off the lower portion of the original valence. I filled in the recess formed by the tubing edge with seam sealer to prevent water accumulating in the low spot and rusting.

[MGBV8]

Much better! Looks more MGB.  

[Preform Resources]

Very clean Jimbo !!
Dave

[DiDueColpi]

Looks great Jim.

The car just gets better and better.
Your ability to adapt on the fly is impressive.

Cheers
Fred

[BlownMGB-V8]

Some pretty tricky bodywork there Jim, nicely done.

Jim

[Jim Stabe]

Hey Jim, I gotta use that English wheel I built for something.

[BlownMGB-V8]

I get it. My HF wheel is a rag rack. And I don't have any noticeable bodywork skills.

Jim