MG/Triumph Interior Components — Hardest-to-Find Parts Guide

MGB/Midget Dashboard Refurbishment — Chrome-Bumper vs Rubber-Bumper Mouldings and the Colour-Match Problem

MG dashboards divide into three distinct mouldings across the MGB and Midget range, and reproduction tooling is maintained separately for each. The MGB chrome-bumper dashboard (1962–1974) is a different shape from the rubber-bumper MGB dashboard (1974–1980) — the lower crash roll profile, the glove box aperture, and the instrument cluster surround all changed at the rubber-bumper conversion. The Midget uses a third moulding entirely, a smaller padded dash pad with a more compact crash roll suited to the Sprite-derived body shell. Across all three, the same components are involved: the vinyl-covered dash top, the crash roll (the rolling padded bolster that wraps the lower edge), the glove box liner, and the instrument cluster surround ring.

The failure pattern is consistent across all three dashboards. Original vinyl cracks from UV exposure after 25–35 years in service, and the underlying foam degrades independently of the vinyl cover. This means that even an uncracked vinyl surface can be hiding disintegrating foam underneath, so for any quality restoration the dash top is effectively a replacement part rather than a refurbishable one. Moss Motors and Rimmer Bros both carry reproduction dash tops and crash rolls across the chrome-bumper/rubber-bumper split, and Heritage Parts Centre covers common replacement parts. Woolies Trim supplies correct-grain vinyl for refurbishing an existing dash top in place — useful for concours restorers who want to preserve the original foam if it is still structurally sound.

The colour-match problem is the single hardest part of dash refurbishment. Exact-colour reproduction dash vinyl is harder to source than correct-shape reproduction — the colour-matched dash top in the correct interior code (red, blue, black, biscuit) remains the most commonly out-of-stock item in any dash-pad catalogue. The reason is economic: dash pad manufacturers produce the structural mouldings to a standard grain and broad colour range, but the colour-matched vinyl overlay is a separate product line with much lower volume per colour. Woolies Trim and Aldridge Trimming both offer correct-grain vinyl in a wider colour range than the deflection pad manufacturers, and for very rare colours the practical route is a custom making-up from a sample of original vinyl.

The Midget dash is its own moulding but the same sourcing approach. The Midget dash pad is smaller and the crash roll profile is tighter, but the suppliers are the same. Moss Motors and Rimmer Bros both stock Midget dash pads, and the colour-match rule applies with equal force. The Midget has additional small parts that fail independently — the glove box liner and the small padded crash roll end caps — and the glove box liner in particular is a wear part that is reproduced but not always in correct grain texture.

Vinyl Seat Sourcing — MGB Standard vs MGB GT Horizontal-Pleat, Midget 1961–74 Split, and TR6/Stag Cross-Reference

Vinyl seat patterns across MGB, Midget, and TR6 divide into pattern families that are not visually interchangeable and must be ordered to your car's actual interior code, not its year alone. Ordering the wrong pattern is one of the most expensive errors in any MG or Triumph interior restoration because vinyl is high-cost and labour-intensive to install — a full seat kit including foam refilling typically runs $700–$1,400 per pair fitted. Before ordering any seat kit, identify your car's interior code from the Heritage Certificate (available from British Motor Heritage) or the original build record, and confirm the pattern family matches before any payment is made.

MGB roadster 1962–1980 standard vertical pleat. The base MGB roadster seat used a vertical-pleat pattern with a relatively flat seat back and modest bolsters. This is the most straightforwardly reproduced pattern — Woolies Trim and Rimmer Bros both carry trim kits in this pattern, and Moss Motors offers complete OEM-style kits including the seat diaphragm (the hardboard panel that forms the seat base). The vinyl grain and the pleat frequency are the accuracy points — the original MGB roadster vinyl is a fairly coarse grain with deep pleats and reproductions that use a finer grain tend to look obviously aftermarket.

MGB GT horizontal-pleat pattern. The MGB GT from 1965 used a distinct horizontal-pleat pattern with deeper bolsters and a stitched seam across the upper seat back. This pattern is moderately well-covered — Woolies Trim produces it on made-to-order, and Moss Motors carries OEM-style complete kits. Confirm the colour and grain match before committing; the GT horizontal-pleat vinyl grain is a slightly finer texture than the roadster standard.

Midget 1961–74 split pattern. The Midget divides into two distinct eras that don't share a seat pattern. The 1961–1969 cars used a Sprite-derived pattern (shared with the Austin-Healey Sprite, since the Midget and Sprite were badge-engineered siblings). The 1970–1974 rubber-bumper cars used a different pattern with deeper bolsters and a stitched logo area on the seat back. The 1961–69 Sprite-derived pattern is harder to source in correct-grain reproduction — the Sprite owner network is the practical route for hard-to-find items, and Woolies Trim makes up the pattern on order. The 1970–74 rubber-bumper pattern is also somewhat scarce — MGOC Spares (MGOC Spares) reproduction kits are the mainstream route.

TR6 and Stag cross-reference. The TR6 1969–1976 used a seat pattern that overlaps with the Triumph Stag 1971–1978 — the same seating supplier produced both. This means TR6 seat upholstery is available from the Triumph specialist network as well as the broader British classic vendors. Rimmer Bros and Revington TR both carry TR6 complete seat kits, and the Stag/Triumph specialist network extends the parts pool beyond the MG-only suppliers.

Woolies Trim vs Newton Commercial — verdict. Woolies Trim (UK) is the primary trim kit specialist for British classics and produces vinyl kits in the widest range of MG/Triumph patterns. Newton Commercial (US) is a parallel US-based supplier with pattern coverage that overlaps but not always identically — confirm with sample photos before ordering cross-Atlantic. British Motor Heritage supplies the structural seat frame panels and seat diaphragm panels but not typically the vinyl kits themselves. Moss Motors and Rimmer Bros are the OEM-style complete kit consolidators — they package seat covers plus foam plus diaphragm plus frames as a single order.

MG TF Door Cards — The Post-British Leyland Problem and the Colour-Match Tooling Gap

The MG TF 2002–2011 sits in a different sourcing category from the MGB and Midget. The TF was produced under MG Rover's ownership, well after British Leyland, and used a unique interior architecture that shares almost nothing with the earlier MG heritage. The door cards in particular are a TF-specific moulding with a distinctive grained vinyl surface and a deep lower foam section that doesn't transfer to standard MGB/Midget tooling.

The practical consequence is that the aftermarket parts network for TF components is much smaller than for the MGB/Midget. Moss Motors and Heritage Parts Centre stock a small range of TF-specific interior parts, but coverage is uneven and the colour-matched door cards in particular are the hardest part of any TF interior restoration. The reason is partly economic and partly historical: the original TF door card mouldings were produced by a tooling supplier that has since ceased trading, and the aftermarket tool-up for a relatively low-volume car has limited commercial viability. Most aftermarket reproduction TF door cards either have the wrong grain or insufficient foam density, meaning refurbishment of original cards is often the more accurate path.

Refurbishment vs replacement. For a colour-accurate TF restoration, the practical option for many owners is to refurbish the original door cards rather than buy reproduction — recover with vinyl from Woolies Trim, replace the foam section if it has degraded, and retain the original moulded shape. Moss Motors stocks the correct-grain vinyl for this application in the standard TF interior colours (black, beige, two-tone grey). For a concours-grade TF, source the original door card specification from the MG Owner Club records (MGOC Spares at MGOC Spares) to confirm colour code, then refurbish rather than replace.

Woolies Trim supplies the vinyl, not the moulding. Woolies Trim is well-stocked for original-grain vinyl for TF door card refurbishment but doesn't supply the moulded door card panels themselves. For replacement mouldings, the practical routes are Moss Motors for aftermarket panels (variable grain accuracy) or Heritage Parts Centre for original-pattern panels (limited stock). For a colour-matched door card with correct grain and correct foam density, the most reliable route is a parts search through the MGOC Spares scheme for a used original card in better condition than the current one, then refurbish the vinyl.

Triumph TR6, TR250, and TR2000 Headliners — Perforated vs Solid Vinyl, the TR250 Board, and the TR2000 Scarcity Problem

Triumph TR6 headliners divide into two distinct generations: pre-1972 cars used a perforated vinyl headliner (the same design language as the early Mustang, small drilled holes), and 1972+ cars used a solid vinyl headliner with a smooth surface. Both are reproduced but the accuracy varies — the perforated vinyl version requires accurate perforation tooling, and the diameter and spacing of the holes is small enough that inaccurate reproduction is visually obvious. The solid vinyl version is more straightforwardly reproduced because there is no perforation tooling to maintain.

TR6 perforated vinyl (pre-1972). Moss Motors and Rimmer Bros carry the perforated vinyl headliner kits for early TR6 cars. The headliner board itself — the hardboard backing panel that the vinyl attaches to — is a separate part from the vinyl and is supplied by Revington TR as a made-to-order item. The perforated vinyl accuracy is generally accepted as good on current reproduction runs, but confirm perforation spacing before committing — some cheaper kits use a larger hole diameter than the original.

TR6 solid vinyl (1972+). Rimmer Bros and Moss Motors both carry the solid vinyl headliner kits. This is well-covered reproduction territory and is straightforward to source. The 1972+ headliner uses a slightly different board shape than the perforated version because the roof contour changed marginally at the 1972 update.

TR250 headliner. The TR250 (US-market version of the TR5, 1967–1968) used the same headliner pattern as the early TR6 — pre-1972 perforated vinyl. The TR250 shares TR6 sourcing routes with one exception: the headliner board itself is a TR250-specific part (the board shape differs slightly from the TR6 equivalent because the roof structure has small differences), and that board is supplied specifically by Revington TR. The vinyl itself comes from the same TR6 reproduction routes.

TR2000 and the very limited production run. The Triumph TR2000 is a rare car — initially a Stag prototype renamed, with a small production run estimated around 100 cars. Parts overlap with the Stag only partially because the TR2000 used a different roof structure and headliner mounting arrangement. The TR2000 headliner is rarely off-the-shelf from any of the mainstream British parts suppliers, and the practical route is the TR Register spares scheme (in the UK) or specialist sports versions vendors at Heritage Parts Centre. Expect to commission a custom making-up from a TR specialist with original sample measurements — lead times for TR2000-specific headliners run 16–24 weeks.

Wood-Rim Steering Wheel Availability — OEM Smiths Reproduction Difficulty, Nardi 360/380mm Patterns, and the 320mm Midget Problem

Wood-rim steering wheels for MG and Triumph classics divide into two distinct categories: OEM-fitted wood-rim wheels (Smiths and aftermarket period manufacturers) and aftermarket upgrades (Nardi and Les Leston). The OEM Smiths wood-rim wheels fitted to some higher-spec MGBs and TR6s are scarce and reproductions are limited to a small number of specialists. The aftermarket Nardi and Les Leston wheels are more widely available but the pattern availability varies by diameter, which matters for smaller cars like the Midget and TF.

OEM Smiths wood-rim wheels. The Smiths wood-rim wheel fitted to some MGBs and TR6s used a specific wood rim with a polished alloy centre boss and the correct Smiths pattern etch. Reproduction is limited — Heritage Parts Centre and a small number of concours specialists at British Car Club carry Smiths-pattern reproduction wheels. For concours-grade OEM Smiths spec, expect to wait for a made-to-order reproduction or source a refurbished original.

Nardi 360mm and 380mm patterns. The Nardi wood-rim wheels in 360mm (standard MGB/TR6 diameter) and 380mm (slightly larger, often preferred on the TR6) are widely available from Heritage Parts Centre, British Car Club, Moss Motors, and Rimmer Bros. Both diameters reproduce well and there is active competition between suppliers on fit and finish. Woolies Trim doesn't directly supply Nardi wheels but can refurbish original wood rims.

The 320mm Midget/TF pattern is the harder problem. The smaller 320mm Nardi pattern (Midget and TF specific) is much more limited in supply — only a handful of suppliers carry the smaller diameter, and adapting a larger 360mm wheel on a Midget is possible but visually out of scale in the smaller cockpit. Heritage Parts Centre and the Midget-specific vendors at MGOC Spares are the practical routes for the 320mm pattern. The TF's smaller steering wheel needs are similarly constrained.

Les Leston period wheels. Les Leston was a period British manufacturer of aftermarket steering wheels with a distinctive alloy centre boss and wood rim. Originals are scarce; reproductions are available from British Car Club and a small number of MG/Triumph specialists. Les Leston wheels are visually distinctive and remain a popular period upgrade on concours MGBs.

Hub adapters are model-specific. Confirm the spline count and hub mounting pattern before ordering any aftermarket wood-rim wheel. Most MGB and TR6 cars use a specific spline pattern with a common hub adapter, but Midget and TF cars use different patterns that require different adapters. Heritage Parts Centre stocks model-specific hub adapters — order the wheel and adapter together to confirm fitment before installation.

Supplier Overview — MG/Triumph Interior & Trim Specialists

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the hardest MG and Triumph interior parts to source in 2026?

  Five categories dominate interior sourcing pain on MG and Triumph classics: MGB/Midget dashboard refurbishment (chrome-bumper and rubber-bumper MGB mouldings differ, and exact-colour reproduction dash vinyl is rarer than correct-shape); vinyl seat sourcing across MGB/Midget/TR6 (MGB roadster vs MGB GT horizontal-pleat patterns, Midget 1961–69 Sprite-derived vs 1970–74 rubber-bumper split, TR6/Stag pattern cross-reference); MG TF door cards (the post-British Leyland car uses a unique interior architecture, only a handful of suppliers carry pattern-matched reproduction cards, and colour-matched cards remain the hardest); Triumph TR6/TR250/TR2000 headliners (pre-1972 perforated vs 1972+ solid vinyl, and the TR2000 scarcity problem because only a small number were built); and wood-rim steering wheels (OEM Smiths is much scarcer than aftermarket Nardi/Les Leston, and the 320mm Midget/TF pattern is harder to find than 360/380mm). Woolies Trim, Newton Commercial, Moss Motors, Rimmer Bros, Heritage Parts Centre, Aldridge Trimming, British Motor Heritage, MGOC Spares, British Parts NW, British Car Club, and Paddock Spares cover most items, but pattern-matched correct-colour matches remain the rarest part of any interior restoration.

• What's different about MGB and Midget dashboard refurbishment?

  MG dashboards divide into three distinct mouldings: MGB chrome-bumper 1962–1974, MGB rubber-bumper 1974–1980, and Midget 1961–1974. The chrome-bumper and rubber-bumper MGB are not interchangeable and have separate reproduction tooling. The Midget uses a single smaller padded dash. Original dash vinyl cracks from UV after 25–35 years and the underlying foam degrades independently, so refurbishment is effectively full replacement. The components involved are the vinyl-covered dash top, crash roll, glove box liner, and instrument cluster surround. Moss Motors and Rimmer Bros carry reproduction dash tops and crash rolls across the chrome-bumper/rubber-bumper split. Heritage Parts Centre covers common replacements. Woolies Trim supplies correct-grain vinyl for refurbishment in place. The colour-match problem is the hardest part — exact-colour reproduction dash vinyl is harder to find than correct-shape reproduction. The colour-matched dash top in the correct interior code (red, blue, black, biscuit) remains the most commonly out-of-stock item. A vinyl dash cap ($80–$140) is a known-compromise driver-grade option but not acceptable for show or concours.

• How do vinyl seat patterns differ between MGB, Midget, and TR6?

  Five distinct patterns. MGB roadster 1962–1980 used vertical pleat (best-covered). MGB GT from 1965 used horizontal pleat with deeper bolsters (moderately covered, made-to-order from Woolies Trim). Midget 1961–1969 used a Sprite-derived pattern shared with the Austin-Healey Sprite (harder to source in correct-grain repro). Midget 1970–1974 rubber-bumper used a different pattern with deeper bolsters (scarcer, MGOC Spares route). TR6 1969–1976 overlapped with the Triumph Stag 1971–1978 (covered by Triumph specialists Rimmer Bros and Revington TR). Order to your car's actual interior code from the Heritage Certificate (available from British Motor Heritage). Woolies Trim and Newton Commercial supply trim kits; British Motor Heritage supplies seat frame panels and diaphragms; Moss Motors and Rimmer Bros are the OEM-style complete kit consolidators. Expect 8–16 week lead times for the scarcer patterns. A full seat kit including foam refilling runs $700–$1,400 per pair fitted.

• Why are MG TF interior parts hard to find?

  The MG TF 2002–2011 was a post-British Leyland car using a unique interior architecture that shares almost nothing with the MGB/Midget. The TF sits in a different sourcing category from earlier MGs. The original door card mouldings used a specific grained vinyl with a deep lower foam section that doesn't transfer to standard MGB/Midget tooling. The aftermarket tool-up for a relatively low-volume car has limited commercial viability. Moss Motors and Heritage Parts Centre stock a small range of TF-specific interior parts but coverage is uneven. Colour-matched door cards remain the hardest part of any TF restoration. For colour-accurate restoration, refurbish original cards rather than replace — recover with vinyl from Woolies Trim and replace the foam section if needed. MGOC Spares sometimes carries used TF parts in better condition than the aftermarket. Most aftermarket reproduction TF door cards have the wrong grain or insufficient foam density. Plan ahead on lead times — 12–20 weeks for made-to-order vinyl, longer for replacement mouldings.

• Where can I source Triumph TR6, TR250, and TR2000 headliners?

  Triumph TR6 headliners divide into pre-1972 perforated vinyl and 1972+ solid vinyl. Both are reproduced; perforated tooling requires accurate hole spacing because inaccurate reproduction is visually obvious. Moss Motors and Rimmer Bros carry TR6 headliner kits for both. Revington TR supplies the headliner board (the hardboard backing panel) as a made-to-order item — specifically the TR250 board which differs slightly from the TR6 equivalent. The TR250 (US-market 1967–68 version of the TR5) uses the same pre-1972 perforated vinyl pattern as the early TR6. The TR2000 is much harder to source — small production run of around 100 cars, originally a Stag prototype renamed, parts overlap with Stag only partially. The TR2000 headliner is rarely off-the-shelf from mainstream suppliers; the TR Register spares scheme (UK) and Heritage Parts Centre sports versions specialists are the practical routes. Expect 16–24 week lead times for TR2000-specific headliners. A headliner replacement involves A-pillar, B-pillar, sun visor and rear window trim removal — typical DIY time 6–12 hours.

• What are my options for a wood-rim steering wheel on an MG or Triumph?

  Wood-rim wheels divide into OEM Smiths wood-rim (scarce, reproductions limited to Heritage Parts Centre and British Car Club concours specialists) and aftermarket Nardi/Les Leston upgrades (more widely available). The Nardi 360mm (standard MGB/TR6 diameter) and 380mm (often preferred on TR6) are widely available from Heritage Parts Centre, British Car Club, Moss Motors, and Rimmer Bros. The smaller 320mm diameter (Midget and TF specific) is much more limited — only a handful of suppliers including MGOC Spares carry it. Adapting a 360mm wheel on a Midget is possible but visually out of scale. Les Leston period wheels are available from British Car Club and MG/Triumph specialists. Hub adapters are model-specific — confirm spline count and hub mounting pattern before ordering. Midget and TF cars use different hub patterns from MGB/TR6 and require different adapters.