This is an introduction to the MGA front valance panel, the body panel that fits behind the front bumper. Notice in picture at right that you may see the small hex head screws visible immediately above the bumper. It is nearly impossible to fit the bumper close enough to the body to hide these screws. The chrome grill and front bumper with high contrast to the body color are very important appearance items on the MGA. You might spend a lot of time massaging the body nose to fit properly around the grille before painting, then spend more time getting the bumper aligned well enough to look good.
Three pictures below are samples of original steel valance panels, front side, rear side, and as installed. The body nose and front wings have vertical flanges hanging below the chin with #10-32-UNF captive cage nuts behind. This allows for easy installation of the hex head screws in front. Eight screws front and center originally have round flat washers to cover slightly oversize holes in the valance panel. Three screws left and right going into the front wings have rectangular flat washers to cover oversize oval holes in the valance panel.

The next three pictures below are example of the fiberglass replacement valance panel on my car. First picture as installed with the bare fasteners showing. Second picture shows the fasteners painted after installation. Notice this quite effectively hides the fasteners so they will be mostly unseen from the front after the bumper is installed. To be concours show correct, these fasteners were not painted when the cars were new.

There will be more information for repair and installation of the front valance panel in the Restoration Tech section, including metal and fiberglass panels, and replacement panels that fit or don't fit.