Triumph-dominated British Leyland started to exert its influence on the 1970 MGB, even as it promoted Giovanni Michelotti’s Triumph TR6 roadster, brilliantly face-lifted from the dated TR5/TR250.

First thing to go from the MGB was the classic vertical barred grille, replaced by a recessed grille with a chrome surround and new colored central badge. The aluminum hood was now steel but the hood center hood molding remained, though the badge was no longer below it. The rear bumper was split with the license plate between the halves – an experiment which lasted only one year. U.S. cars had rubber inserts in the overriders.

Inside, the three-spoked steering wheel was smaller and new woven vinyl reclining seats replaced leather surfaces. U.S. cars had headrests, which would be extended to other markets later and the choke was now a “T” lever. MGB Mk II color schemes all featured black vinyl seating without contrasting piping, and all had black top, boot cover and tonneau.

Sales continued to increase with 20,072 MGB roadsters finding buyers for the model year. As usual most (15,998) came to the U.S. with 4157 at the end of 1969 and 11,841 in the spring and summer of 1970. The UK bought 2410 roadsters. MGB GT sales didn’t have quite the same disparity, with 11,380 GTs sold and 6601 coming to the U.S. compared to 3611 sold in the UK.

Some new colors were introduced. Available MGB colors included Black (special order), Antelope Beige, Bermuda Blue, Blue Royale, Dark British Racing Green, Flame Red, Bronze Yellow, Pale Primrose Yellow and Glacier White. Grampian Gray, Sandy Beige and Metallic Golden Beige and Riviera Silver Blue were discontinued and Antelope Beige and Bermuda Blue were GT-only colors. This was the last year for Dark British Racing Green. Mk II color schemes featured black seating without contrasting piping, and all had black top, boot cover and tonneau.