task
Part of things
Posts: 374
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Nov 25, 2012 22:16:24 GMT
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After finishing the CSK Range Rover, as much as one of these can be classed as finished, I found myself looking to scratch an itch. Somehow I've managed to reach my current age having only owned Land Rover products (2x Series 3, 3x Range Rovers, 1x Discovery). I have driven other cars through work/friends/hire and family but I've never owned one. So, I decided to remedy this by buying an MGB. I prefer the look of the GT to the Roadster. Scouring ebay I found one local to me and arranged to have a look. I will add here I was buying with the aim of a complete restoration so I was looking to pay low with the knowledge I'm going to strip back everything and would likely be replacing panels regardless of one small patch of rust or a gaping hole. The car was a late 1979/1980 model which fits with my intended engine path nicely (post '76 cars have the engine mount and front end modifications that allow me to drop a V8 in with ease). The GT was last on the road in 2010, I have a sparse amount of detail on the history but it seems there was a substantial amount of work done by a ford main dealer some time in 2007, certainly a large bill. Photos of the car before I started stripping it down; This weekend I put the car up on the ramps to get a feel for what was underneath, it was actually in better condition than I had hoped but still needs a lot of work; As with all restorations, I started by stripping the car. All glass/seats/soft furnishing was removed along with the tailgate and dashboard, sorry for the photos but it was getting dark when I finally stopped work. The strip down did highlight some nice rust areas; The current plan is to strip the engine/box/bumpers and knock together a "swivel frame" to bolt the car too. This should allow me to turn the car onto its side if not all the way over to work on the shell. More updates as they come.
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Last Edit: Jan 13, 2015 10:13:23 GMT by task
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luckygti
Posted a lot
I need to try harder!
Posts: 4,912
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Nov 25, 2012 22:27:26 GMT
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Great stuff, I had a rubber bumper a few years ago (actually, it was probably about 14 ) and I loved it. Like your thinking with the V8, will the body stay standards or will you be going Sebring, chrome bumper or no bumper? Look forward to updates, absolutely love the CSK.
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Nov 25, 2012 22:30:13 GMT
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looks like this could be worth a bookmark
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,856
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Nov 25, 2012 22:37:25 GMT
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hmm nice and crusty i shall keep an eye out for the transformation but for now i think the main question is, what sort of v8 is gonna find its way under the bonnet?... ;D
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Nov 25, 2012 22:38:28 GMT
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I recently embarked on an MG resto. whilst it has cost quite a few quid, it was worth every penny and time/effort. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread for progress, especially if you go the V8 route :-)
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---------------------------------------- 1954 Standard "Kustom" Vanguard 1959 Austin A35 2004 Jaguar S-Type 2.5Ltr V6 Sport 2007 Jaguar S-Type 4.2Ltr Supercharged V8 Sport 2012 Fiat 500
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task
Part of things
Posts: 374
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Nov 25, 2012 22:39:13 GMT
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Great stuff, I had a rubber bumper a few years ago (actually, it was probably about 14 ) and I loved it. Like your thinking with the V8, will the body stay standards or will you be going Sebring, chrome bumper or no bumper? Look forward to updates, absolutely love the CSK. Cheers My thoughts are for Sebring front/rear valance with standard wings. I'm also planning to ditch those lovely seats, although insides are a long way off. I actually have an update for the CSK thread too, just need to confirm something before I update it.
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task
Part of things
Posts: 374
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Nov 25, 2012 22:41:59 GMT
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hmm nice and crusty I shall keep an eye out for the transformation but for now I think the main question is, what sort of v8 is gonna find its way under the bonnet?... ;D Whilst my initial thoughts were towards a a fire breathing 4.6 Rover lump I think I'm going to scale it back a bit and go for a 3.9/4.0 block with some slightly worked heads and a decent cam shaft. Probably running hotwire EFI to do the fuel. Not quite as crazy as the CSK engine but it does weigh half as much
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task
Part of things
Posts: 374
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Nov 25, 2012 22:49:27 GMT
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Oh, also, I found these behind the dash while I was stripping it out; It's odd what you find, I don't visit little chef but these look fairly old.
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,856
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Nov 25, 2012 23:46:57 GMT
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that CSK Range Rover looks like a beast! love it the MG should be pretty nippy even with 'only' a 3.9 v8 in it
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task
Part of things
Posts: 374
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Dec 17, 2012 21:26:36 GMT
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Recent developments; Engine and gearbox were removed; Front and rear rubber bumpers removed; I then constructed a roll-over jig, 2x A-frames and a mounting jig bolted to each end of car that allows me to do this; I then removed the Webasto roof and a front wing, once again getting dark; The jig took a fair while to construct so I didn't get as much done on the car as I'd have hoped but it should speed the process up a lot. I've also picked up a replacement gearbox and 2x engines to start the work on. Gearbox is an auto :eek: This is likely to be a controversial choice but this isn't going to be a race car, more of a tourer with a lot of poke. The engines I've acquired are both 3.9 Rover V8, one from a 1993 Range Rover and one from a 1997 Discovery (interim engine, serpentine). That's all for now!
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luckygti
Posted a lot
I need to try harder!
Posts: 4,912
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Dec 18, 2012 22:36:34 GMT
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V8 auto? Well, it is a GT after all, I think that will be perfect personally. Loving the A frame as well, look forward to the rust banishing
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Dec 18, 2012 23:03:32 GMT
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I love the fabric on those seats - so late 70s that it hurts. ;D Best of luck with the project.
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gn3dr
Part of things
Posts: 391
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Dec 19, 2012 18:46:31 GMT
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Auto don't do it
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Dec 19, 2012 19:14:33 GMT
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Good man, Always liked the idea of building a GT into a PROPER tourer (i.e. an auto) with decent poke and that lovely V8 sound... personally don't think the v8 autoboxes are that bad if they're looked after (new oil and filter and without worn out valves etc) Will be watching this build with interest
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'69 MG Midget | '94 200SX S13 RB25DET Project
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Dec 19, 2012 19:15:42 GMT
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Where in Derby are you mate? i'm Breadsall!, ever need a second pair of hands just call!
I'm handy with a welder!
Neil
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task
Part of things
Posts: 374
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Dec 19, 2012 21:43:36 GMT
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Cheers guys, autobox has stirred much less opposition than I imagined! Neil, I'm over at the top end of Alvaston but I do all my work over Wirksworth way where I have a lot more space and less uppity neighbours. Cheers for the offer Where in Derby are you? jrevillug; they are certainly 70's, not sure they're going to make it back in looking like that though
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Dec 19, 2012 21:45:10 GMT
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jrevillug; they are certainly 70's, not sure they're going to make it back in looking like that though Well if you don't want them I'm sure there's room on my pile'o'seats for them.
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Dec 20, 2012 19:27:32 GMT
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Cheers guys, autobox has stirred much less opposition than I imagined! Neil, I'm over at the top end of Alvaston but I do all my work over Wirksworth way where I have a lot more space and less uppity neighbours. Cheers for the offer Where in Derby are you? jrevillug; they are certainly 70's, not sure they're going to make it back in looking like that though I'm breadsall oakwood mate but born in alvaston!
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task
Part of things
Posts: 374
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Got a little further with the strip down and uncovered some more awesome lack of metal. Dropped the front subframe and back axle off; The stripped the rest of the items from the shell like loom/steering/brakes pipes/master cylinders/heater etc Finally I refitted the doors and stripped them down so when I start to replace panels I can make sure the shut-lines are good. You can also see my "helper" checking that the car was ok from the inside I'm going to pick up two new rear wing sections this week and possibly a sill kit if it's the right price. I collected my auto-shifter last week and started checking the engines out to see what I'm going to build. I now have an action plan and might start work next weekend if it's raining. If it's not raining I might start cutting panels off! This is pretty much the low point of the build for me, everything is stripped but it's all still a mess and all the work is ahead of you. Up hill from here though!
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task
Part of things
Posts: 374
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Over the past month I've been collecting panels for the BGT, found a genuine pair of complete rear wings and some sill sections on ebay the rest of the panels I ordered from MOSS. Started with the N/S and cut off the old outer sill to get a good idea of what lay beneath; That would apparently be not much. Added a bracing bar from the A post to the B post and cut the rot out, including a large chunk of floor With the car living in one corner of the yard and the tools/welder/electric being in the garage I decided to add some wheels to the spit-jig Inner sill was then offered into place, trimmed and welded up The rest of the rotten floor at the front was removed, the replacement panel trimmed to fit and then offered into place I've ordered the middle cross member which should arrive in time for the next weldathon and finish the floor off nicely on that side. I also ordered two new doors in fibreglass which should be ready by the end of the week
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