New MGB restoration project

[tms996]

Just bought a cheap BGT and need to get some advice. As I can’t get out of the house for a while I thought I’d try on here and see what you all think.

I was wondering which panels I need to replace for some welding work? The car was abandoned for ten years, the front being sound with a good engine, the back needing rebuilding. I’m not doing the welding myself but have found someone local. However as the car will need to be trailered I’m trying to get as much advice as possible first.

The car is a 74 BGT and I think I will need left and right rear repair panels, full rear valance, and probably the internal boot corner pieces. What I’m wondering is, can the rust in the top of the rear wings be filled or do I need the full rear side panels instead of the repair panels?

[tms996]

[Mexman]

Could probably fill those pin holes with weld rather than filler or replacing the whole panel.

[interloper]

I would clean more paint and grott off with a flap disc on a grinder before deciding, but It does look pretty salvagable.

[Flying Phil]

Will you be posting more pics as the job goes?

[Expatloon]

interloper said:

I would clean more paint and grott off with a flap disc on a grinder before deciding, but It does look pretty salvagable.

I disagree.

Rust along the bead starts from underneath and works it's way up through the two joins which form the sandwich in which the bead is the meat in the middle and because of that, short of a total acid dip, it's impossible to fully eradicate it and will come back.

Look up inside there and you'll see what I mean.

Certainly on the offside the metal is also too thin and frail to survive welding.

I'm afraid it's a pair of complete new rear wings or nothing.

If you found another car without significant rust there you could cut out full length sections extended a few inches either side of the bead and let those in instead but those would be a rare find.