Colour Schemes for MG’S

Choosing the colour for your MG Re-Shell, Interior or Re-spray is an exciting time, and to make sure the end result lives up to expectation it pays to have a clear and detailed idea of how the finished car will look from the outset. Consider the exterior paint, the interior carpets, seats and panels and importantly the wheels, to get a firm base to your plan. Fire your imagination with the endless colour options possible, from the timeless classics such as British Racing Green to those used on modern cars such as Brilliant Metallic Silver to create in your MG a unique masterpiece to satisfy your ideal interpretation of the marque.

If all this sounds a bit like stating the obvious I promise you that in reality it is anything but, as although the initial choice of paint colour may be your all time favourite, it may not necessarily suit the style of the body. When you are sure of your colour choice, care should be taken to interpret the interior and the all-important finishing details in keeping with the characteristics that colour lends to that particular MG model. An exaggerated example would be an early MGB roadster finished in a modern metallic paint with standard steel wheels and rouched leather seats would look totally out of character and time. The same treatment given to a 1981 Rubber Bumper car with a careful choice of interior and wheels could look stunning.

So much for the theory, now let’s get down to detail, and take each of the essential areas for consideration in turn to build up a plan for your car.

Paint Colour 

As a general rule of thumb, save very modern colours and metallic paint finishes for the most recent MG models and in particular the Rubber Bumper cars as the styling is more accommodating. The choices here are endless, and if you are copying a modern car paint scheme you will get some good ideas of how to interpret the interior from the car you are copying. With modern colours, be very careful to consider from the outset what wheels are to be fitted, as the original Rostyles or wire wheels may look out of place, and a modern TSW Hockenheim or Oasis match far better. The interior is much easier to harmonise as providing the colours do not wildly clash, the both classic and modern styling will blend well. In fact modern cars now often emulate older classic styling and the Rover 75 is a typical example of this done to very good effect.

To gauge just how important the wheels are to the appearance of the car, try a simple experiment. When you next clean the car wash the bodywork and leave the wheels dirty and look at the car. The following week, wash the wheels and not the bodywork and again look at the car. You will see that although only the wheels represent a small part of the overall size of the car, the impact on its appearance is enormous and for this reason your choice of wheel is equally important as the paint colour itself. This should be born in mind when setting a budget for the car as to ignore this aspect and spend extra elsewhere could prove false economy. 

The choices here range across Wire Centre Lock wheels, in painted or chrome finish, with a choice of standard or 5 1/2″ widths, and up to 15″ rim diameters. There is also an elegant Bolt On Chrome Wire Wheel available.

In addition to the standard bolt on wheels there is a wide choice of classic and modern alloy in up to 6″ width fitments, and these are photographed in MGOC Accessories Catalogue, pages 58 & 59. If you would like a further copy, telephone (01954) 231318. For something really special, wheels can be built to order in a limitless range of diameters, widths and offsets to tailor exactly to the car at around £300.00 per wheel. There is also the same options for wire wheels with spun alloy rims, triple chrome hubs and stainless steel spokes at around £450.00 per wheel.

By this we mean seats, panels and carpets and they should be selected in that order.

The seats are chosen as much for comfort as for style and for this reason the complete replacement Classic Sports Recliner seats have become a very popular choice. The difference is immediately apparent when you sit in them, as the shaped side supports on the seat backs firmly and comfortably hold the passenger securely, preventing sideways movement when cornering and back strain after long journeys. The styling is classic sportscar so they are ideal for all MGB,C,V8, and Midgets. Headrests are fitted for comfort, style and safety. There are two designs – classic fluted and executive rouched and the colour choices extend from Magnolia to Black, include contrasting piping if required and a two tone Grey is available with darker grey on the backs and walls, and light grey on the faces. 

If the budget won’t stretch to these, then a full range of leather and vinyl classic seat covers are available for DIY and professional fitment, with the same full choice of colours and options. GT models can order rear seat kits and complete replacement headrests are available. Velour is a further option in a limited range of colours.

Panel Sets that replace every panel in the car are available in the same wide choice of colours and in addition to standard there are three further distinct styles. 
1. Half Carpet design with carpet on the lower section of the door and scuttle panels to match the floor carpets. 
2. Classic design that is a Mk 1 MGB design fitted to a Mk11 MGB panel and featuring the two horizontal piping lines, (these can be in contrasting colour if required) 
3. Custom design as above but with two chrome strips in place of the piping. Any of these designs will match any of the seats and therefore choose the style you prefer. 
Carpet Sets are available in the same range of colours as the panels, and for Midgets are standard and de-luxe. MGB and GT carpets sets are available in standard or deluxe moulded. The better quality option is recommended for better fitment and professional finish. Again contrasting coloured piping is available but be very sure that is what you want before ordering as the effect can easily be over-the-top. 

If all has gone well to this point, then you now have a real opportunity to add distinction and quality by carefully adding other interior details to enhance and harmonise the effect. Door cappings – consider a contrasting colour replacement capping, leather cappings, burr walnut or carbon fibre cappings. Midget1275 on and all MGB models.

Dash board – consider re-furbished crackle black painted, burr walnut or carbon fibre lay over panels. Midget 1275 on and all MGB models. Replacement dash for MGA models.

Centre console – complete one piece leather covered replacement for all B & V8 models 1972 on with choice of infill panels -leather, burr walnut or carbon fibre. Under dash finishing panels and leather console tunnel extension pieces. Leather padded console armrests. Chrome ashtrays and gear lever rings.

Gearknobs – Wide choice with matching leather gaiters available. Steering Wheels – Motolita woodrim, leather, walnut in a choice of 13″,14″&15″,flat or dished. Momo 14″ in a choice of three designs. Mountney budget leather and woodrim.

Door Furniture – chrome window winder handles, chrome door openers, chrome door grab handles, moulded door pull armrests in black, brown, grey & navy. Burr Walnut Door Pulls. Consider whether or not to fit electric windows. Dash top crash rail kit – available in all colours as is rear cockpit rail covers for MGB roadster models. Instruments – Reconditioned instruments completely renovated with a choice original black with white lettering, Magnolia with black lettering, and even silver grey with black lettering to contrast the carbon fibre dash board. 

With all these choices in front of you, it’s time to get started by listing all the categories above and starting to piece together your whole car plan, taking each detail in the order listed above, and see how far you get. If you would like a planning form which sets out these choices for you, send a S.A.E to “Colour Planner” MG Owners Club, Octagon House, Swavesey, Cambridge CB24 4QZ or telephone (01954) 231318 to request. You will find the MGOC Accessories catalogue a useful reference, further copies available on request.

In the March Edition of Enjoying MG, we will look at some cars and colour schemes that show what can be done, and offer practical ideas to what can be achieved. If you have already finished your car and been through all the stages above, why not help out other members by sending in some photos of your handy work. Send in your photos to Colour Planner Article” at the address above and see your MG in print.

If you need any help or further information in choosing colours and/or interiors for your MG, contact Simon Hazeldene at MGOC Accessories on (01954) 231318.