Sometime around the changeover to long door the number plate was moved by MMC from under the bumper (see John V6's photo) to on top I can't find a photo of this right now , but will keep looking. On reflection it is like Taff's blue car.
Apparently many owners didn't like this "new look" and changed it back to the under bumper location (including the original owners of my +8)
The next change that came along in 2002? onwards was the option to over-riders and no bumpers. This ended with over-riders being the norm and bumpers as an option. I am not sure of the exact evolution from then on, but eventually the real wrap-under valence was introduced and has been "standard" ever since.
Andy G 1999 +8 , Indigo Blue. Ex-John McKecknie/Mike Duncan 1955 +4 racer.
Andy - the over-riders were reintroduced with the LM62's.
So from 97 to 02 as you said it was bumpers only. and the lower valance was the vertical panel below the bumper. What's not absolutely clear though is the positioning of the reverse and fog warner. They appear to have been placed above the bumper, but some cars have them below in that period. It may have been an owner mod though.
DaveW '05 Red Roadster S1 '16 Yellow (Not the only) Narrow AR GDI Plus 4
Thanks John. Hopefully Jays will fill me in on newer arrangements.
I will Dave! Sorry....have been out and about and haven't had time to sit down and sort out photos!
I do have a couple on my iPad which might help. My car has the number plate on the rear plinth or valance and you can see that valance clearly on the second photo which has the number plate mounted on the bumper which is the norm from the factory.
Jays Former Morgan owner. Gone but hopefully not forgotten!