Just thought I'd share with you F-Car guys my restoration of a 62 MGB | FerrariChat
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Just thought I'd share with you F-Car guys my restoration of a 62 MGB

Discussion in 'British' started by DMaury, Nov 30, 2008.

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  1. DMaury

    DMaury Formula 3

    Mar 27, 2007
    1,993
    Ponchatoula, LA
    #1 DMaury, Nov 30, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I bought this one off eBay 5 years ago. I was initially looking for an E-type, but when I saw how early this B was, I snatched it up. It is car number 374 (the 4th oldest surviving MGB in the world) that’s a lot when they made a half-million of them. ;)

    I had my two helpers help me strip the car down and then we went to work. Every nut, bolt and mechanical part was replated, repaired or replaced with NOW material. The car is better than new. I even tracked down things like an NOS early reflective grille badge that was discontinued after the police in England complained it was a safety issue.

    Anyway, here's some before and after pictures. I do all my own work except the bodywork. :)
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  2. Tifosi66

    Tifosi66 Formula 3

    Nov 30, 2004
    1,786
    Jiang Jia Jie
    Full Name:
    Li-Ge
    #2 Tifosi66, Nov 30, 2008
    Incredible restoration...:eek: . Beautiful car and with those whitewalls the piccies sure do look like they came out of a sixties magazine.Thanks for sharing.:)
     
  3. whart

    whart F1 Veteran
    Honorary Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 5, 2001
    6,583
    Austin, TX
    Full Name:
    William Maxwell Hart
    #3 whart, Nov 30, 2008
    Your work is to very high standards, presumably better than factory. Have you calculated the value of the time and effort that went into this project, had you charged for your work and that of your helpmates? Curious, simply because I am in the middle of a resto project on a pre-war Brit. car and my sense is that the cost of this kind of work is high, without regard to the ultimate value of the car when finished.

    PS: never owned an MG, but remember driving in one as a high school kid; the family had an MGB as well as a Citroen SM. Both cars were a hoot.
     
  4. Isobel

    Isobel F1 World Champ

    Jun 30, 2007
    10,639
    On a Wave's Chicane
    Full Name:
    Is, Izzy for Australians
    #4 Isobel, Nov 30, 2008
    That car is incredible, I can't imagine the hours you must have spent. The nicest B I've ever seen, no question.
     
  5. bergxu

    bergxu Formula 3

    Aug 16, 2005
    1,307
    OnTheSerpentMound
    Full Name:
    Aaron
    #5 bergxu, Nov 30, 2008
    Oh my! That is gorgeous!! Well done, I'm sure the NAMGBR will be dying to have that on their books!

    I have two MGs, a '67 BGT, which I've owned forever and a recently purchased '56 A which I look forward to enjoying in the upcoming spring season!

    Congrats, you have created a beautiful automobile!

    Cheers,
    Aaron
     
  6. sandersja

    sandersja Formula Junior

    Jan 16, 2003
    367
    Portland OR
    Full Name:
    John Sanders
    #6 sandersja, Nov 30, 2008
    Very very nice - thanks for posting this.

    No matter how car-crazed I think I am, there are always people who take it beyond. I love taking my wife to British car shows - the standard of quality restoration is amazingly high and it makes my squandering of time and money seem more modest.
     
  7. DriverA

    DriverA Karting

    Sep 11, 2007
    173
    Scandinavia
    #7 DriverA, Nov 30, 2008
    Seurious resteuration - I own a MGA Mk II De Luxe 1962 - Nice work, more picture.
     
  8. DMaury

    DMaury Formula 3

    Mar 27, 2007
    1,993
    Ponchatoula, LA
    #8 DMaury, Nov 30, 2008
    LOL! More pics than that?! ;)

    Thanks for all the kind words.

    whart, you asked about the cost I have in this. I never tried to calculate my 'man hours' or anything like that, but I'm sure I'm over 40K in hard dollars (and probably more than that) The car, at best is a 25K car. I knew that going into it. I've restored 5 MGB's now (that's why I was looking for the Jag; was tired of doing B's!) but the history of this car was too much to pass by. Plus, I got it for $3,000. :) I do the B's as a labor of love, so cost is irrelevant. I did the same thing with my 328; although that may be the first car I've restored that I 'may' get a good bit back of what I put into it. Still don't think I'll break even on that car as well. ;) Oh, and cost of my helpers? There were no helpers, just me! :) The body was done by University Motors in Michigan (great MG shop) so there was the transportation costs involved as well. Those were my only helpers. :) if you want to some tips on who does great work on what parts, just shoot me a PM.

    And DriverA, great car! The A is one of the prettiest out there (much more so than the B) and that's my next project. I have a 60 A roadster in pieces, some of which I've restored already (carbs, bumpers, linkages, generator), but the rusted shell/frame is yet to get started on.

    And bergxu, the NAMGBR knows this car well. I keep planning to take it to a national show for concours, but something always comes up to stop me. Primarily the fact that I didn't finish the car until a few months back! ;) I know the concours director and the last year's winner very well, so they stay on me about being afraid to compete against their car in judging. ;) maybe this year in Breckenridge? :) Here's a link to the thread over at the MG Experience board.

    http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read.php?1,871703,page=1
     
  9. Papa G

    Papa G Formula 3

    Dec 29, 2003
    1,406
    #9 Papa G, Nov 30, 2008
    Simply amazing!!

    Love the B's
     
  10. brownsgolf

    brownsgolf Formula Junior

    Dec 18, 2007
    931
    Western PA
    Full Name:
    Dan
    #10 brownsgolf, Nov 30, 2008
    Very nice looking car that I'm sure would have done well had you had it at the NAMGBR show this summer. I have a '79 B that decided to lose the engine while out there, so now that I have taken care of that I just need to get it back in the car.

    Since I purchased my B my dad has decided that he needs to find an A to have and toy around in, I just don't think you can go wrong with an MG.
     
  11. DriverA

    DriverA Karting

    Sep 11, 2007
    173
    Scandinavia
    #11 DriverA, Nov 30, 2008
    More picture (LOL) yes, my computer did not upload all these picture vith my first visit.
    This is one of the best restorations I ever seen - alle the small details are correct, even the white stripe in the wiring loom.
    If you know the book "Original MGA" by Anders Ditlev Clausager - my car is pictured in this book - Its the white MGA Mk II De Luxe & the Alamo beige Coupe (same numberplate)
     
  12. DMaury

    DMaury Formula 3

    Mar 27, 2007
    1,993
    Ponchatoula, LA
    #12 DMaury, Nov 30, 2008

    Wow, small world! I have been looking at those cars for over 10 years now. (I have Clausager's B and A books) You have a beatiful set of MGAs there. YOU should post some pics!
     
  13. UroTrash

    UroTrash Four Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Jan 20, 2004
    40,719
    Purgatory
    Full Name:
    Clifford Gunboat
    #13 UroTrash, Nov 30, 2008
    Well this answers one question.

    We now know who has the best MGB in the world!
     
  14. DMaury

    DMaury Formula 3

    Mar 27, 2007
    1,993
    Ponchatoula, LA
    #14 DMaury, Nov 30, 2008

    And the answer to that question is 'not me!' :) Seriously, I know of at least one car that would beat this one in points judging. He's a good friend and won the most recent NAMGBR meet's concours with a 998/1000 point car. It's is truly a phenomenal car. Mine would lose points as I 'blinged it out' a bit by things like chroming the carb linkages and painting the generator in pieces (rather than red all over) I know, minor things, but that's what concours judging is about.
     
  15. SMS

    SMS F1 Veteran

    Jan 7, 2004
    6,776
    Indy
    Full Name:
    Bill S.
    #15 SMS, Dec 1, 2008
    Great B! Thanks for the pics.
     
  16. RMV

    RMV F1 Veteran

    Apr 11, 2002
    7,372
    #16 RMV, Jan 3, 2009
    Fantastic!
     
  17. Etcetera

    Etcetera Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 7, 2003
    24,319
    Full Name:
    C6H14O5
    #17 Etcetera, Jan 3, 2009
    Love comes without a price nor consideration of perceived popularity.

    MBA's on Wall Street have taught us that the bottom line at all costs isn't worth the cost, at least to those paying attention.

    Money can be earned; love cannot.

    Beautiful car.
     
  18. Mang

    Mang F1 Veteran

    Jul 11, 2007
    5,977
    ta HO
    Full Name:
    Mike S.
    #18 Mang, Jan 3, 2009
    big respect to you and that amazing car..you be sure and give ole' 'Mang' a PM when it is time to part with it okay? :D
     
  19. 575Mike

    575Mike Formula 3

    Mar 11, 2004
    1,706
    Midwest
    Full Name:
    Michael
    #19 575Mike, Jan 3, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  20. lotustt

    lotustt Formula 3

    Aug 28, 2002
    2,026
    Full Name:
    TRM
    #20 lotustt, Jan 3, 2009
    Excellent. Cheers!
     

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