BMH Body Plant at Witney
The availability of MGB bodies from BMH was a key factor in the low cost RV8 development and production project back in the early 1990s and today it is an essential source of replacement bodyshells and other key components that help V8 enthusiasts maintain their MGBs or MGBGTV8s. Here we have a report on a visit to BMH Witney in 2003 made as part of the 25th Anniversary of the formation of the V8 Register in 1978. 030702

The visit to the BMH Body Plant started with a presentation by Neil Morrick (centre), John Yea (left) and David Bishop (right) on how the body plant came into being and then how it was transferred to the present site at Witney under the new management team. A fascinating tale if ever there was. An amusing cartoon can be seen on the wall behind Neil Morrick's right shoulder which depicts the transfer of BMH Witney from BMW.
Photo: Gavin Bailey


Photo: Victor Smith

The team at Witney gave us a very warm and enthusiastic welcome and assembled an MGB wing from three panels before our very eyes! Peter Tothill enjoys the spirit with which the parts are popped into the jig!
Photo: Gordon Hesketh-Jones

Banner photo: from the left, Peter Buckles, John Yea, Neil Merrick and David Bishop. (Photo: Gavin Bailey)

The visit was arranged by Gordon Hesketh-Jones. Any other photos from members will be very welcome


Photo: Gavin Bailey

David Bishop had arranged for some MGBGT bodyshells to be in production whilst we were at the BMH Witney Plant and here you can see the front and bottom sections of the bottom half of the shell being welded on the jig. They build a batch of bottom halves and then run them through again to put the side and top sections on to create the final bodyshell.

Photo: Gordon Hesketh-Jones


Photo: Victor Smith

Some familiar components were seen around the plant - here one is held up by John Targett. To the left you can see the side section and that notorious spot at the junction of the rear wing and the point of the side window where rust is so common! The quality of the BMH panels is superb.

Below, Jennifer Hesketh-Jones examines the finish of a Spitfire bonnet with David Bishop.

Photo: Gordon Hesketh-Jones
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