MGB GT Project - All the gear, no idea!
Discussion
Morning PHers,
So in a strange turn of events in selling my motorbike, I inadvertently joined the Car Club through work and i'm now in the process of obtaining a 1980's MGB GT with only 17k original miles!
All the gear, no idea - The car club has everything I would ever need, 4 posters, 2 posters, tools, spray bays, shot blasters, welders etc. all free to use along with the standard membership (Private invite only unfortunately). Excellent, everything I need, apart from experience and knowledge, that didn't come with the membership; I have never restored a car, only basic mechanical work on cars and motorbikes.
The car is located in the car club and has been for the previous few years as an unloved project. It suits quite well as i've been looking at Spitfires, MGB's and Volvo P1800's for a while.
Good bits
-Super low mileage
-Extremely clean interior, you can really tell it's not done many miles
-Good history file
-Very clean engine bay
-Very clean boot
-Runner
Bad Bits
-Rust.
-- Arches joining to the sills
-- Top of wing below window (Maybe not rust but paint peeled off)
-- Sills ish, seem strong but small amount near arches again.
-- Bottom of doors (either reskin or patch)
-- Few 3mm bubbles on bonnet
-Oil leak from engine (looks like the side gasket)
I've been looking for a project and after snapping this up for a nice amount it seems the ideal motor to do the job.
I intend to keep posting on here to show how a novice restores a car (ensue criticism and hate!)
So, what are peoples thoughts on the vehicle, age, project as a whole and work to come?
Advice on sites, checklists, tools that'll be essential?
I'm not a fan of the rubber bumpers at all, would love these removed and replaced with nothing and a nice chrome grill/sebring kit (not chrome conversion).
So in a strange turn of events in selling my motorbike, I inadvertently joined the Car Club through work and i'm now in the process of obtaining a 1980's MGB GT with only 17k original miles!
All the gear, no idea - The car club has everything I would ever need, 4 posters, 2 posters, tools, spray bays, shot blasters, welders etc. all free to use along with the standard membership (Private invite only unfortunately). Excellent, everything I need, apart from experience and knowledge, that didn't come with the membership; I have never restored a car, only basic mechanical work on cars and motorbikes.
The car is located in the car club and has been for the previous few years as an unloved project. It suits quite well as i've been looking at Spitfires, MGB's and Volvo P1800's for a while.
Good bits
-Super low mileage
-Extremely clean interior, you can really tell it's not done many miles
-Good history file
-Very clean engine bay
-Very clean boot
-Runner
Bad Bits
-Rust.
-- Arches joining to the sills
-- Top of wing below window (Maybe not rust but paint peeled off)
-- Sills ish, seem strong but small amount near arches again.
-- Bottom of doors (either reskin or patch)
-- Few 3mm bubbles on bonnet
-Oil leak from engine (looks like the side gasket)
I've been looking for a project and after snapping this up for a nice amount it seems the ideal motor to do the job.
I intend to keep posting on here to show how a novice restores a car (ensue criticism and hate!)
So, what are peoples thoughts on the vehicle, age, project as a whole and work to come?
Advice on sites, checklists, tools that'll be essential?
I'm not a fan of the rubber bumpers at all, would love these removed and replaced with nothing and a nice chrome grill/sebring kit (not chrome conversion).
Thank you for all the support, it's looking like it could be an excellent project!
Going to start with getting it mechanically sound, through its MOT and then really start tackling the rust.
With the likes of aqua steel above, how does that work? Would you brush off the underbody rust first, then apply it, afterwards applying a sealer? If so what kind of sealer? Waxoyl? Or is that a treatment and finish in one?
One thing I've noticed already which is delightful is the plentiful spares for the mg at such a low price! Under £150 for around 15-20 items to get its freshly serviced and running.
It's got a seized handbrake at the moment, thoughts on fixes? Hit with a hammer? Drum off and recondition?
Going to start with getting it mechanically sound, through its MOT and then really start tackling the rust.
With the likes of aqua steel above, how does that work? Would you brush off the underbody rust first, then apply it, afterwards applying a sealer? If so what kind of sealer? Waxoyl? Or is that a treatment and finish in one?
One thing I've noticed already which is delightful is the plentiful spares for the mg at such a low price! Under £150 for around 15-20 items to get its freshly serviced and running.
It's got a seized handbrake at the moment, thoughts on fixes? Hit with a hammer? Drum off and recondition?
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