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

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

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    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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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    DMaury, Nov 30, 2008
    #1
  2. Tifosi66

    Tifosi66 Formula 3

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    Li-Ge
    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.:)
     
    Tifosi66, Nov 30, 2008
    #2
  3. whart

    whart F1 Veteran Honorary Rossa Subscribed

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    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.
     
    whart, Nov 30, 2008
    #3
  4. Isobel

    Isobel F1 World Champ

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    That car is incredible, I can't imagine the hours you must have spent. The nicest B I've ever seen, no question.
     
    Isobel, Nov 30, 2008
    #4
  5. bergxu

    bergxu Formula 3

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    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
     
    bergxu, Nov 30, 2008
    #5
  6. sandersja

    sandersja Formula Junior

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    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.
     
    sandersja, Nov 30, 2008
    #6
  7. DriverA

    DriverA Karting

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

    DMaury Formula 3

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    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
     
    DMaury, Nov 30, 2008
    #8
  9. Papa G

    Papa G Formula 3

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    Simply amazing!!

    Love the B's
     
    Papa G, Nov 30, 2008
    #9
  10. brownsgolf

    brownsgolf Formula Junior

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    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.
     
    brownsgolf, Nov 30, 2008
    #10
  11. DriverA

    DriverA Karting

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    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)
     
    DriverA, Nov 30, 2008
    #11
  12. DMaury

    DMaury Formula 3

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    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!
     
    DMaury, Nov 30, 2008
    #12
  13. UroTrash

    UroTrash Four Time F1 World Champ Consultant Owner

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    Well this answers one question.

    We now know who has the best MGB in the world!
     
    UroTrash, Nov 30, 2008
    #13
  14. DMaury

    DMaury Formula 3

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    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.
     
    DMaury, Nov 30, 2008
    #14
  15. SMS

    SMS F1 Veteran

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    Great B! Thanks for the pics.
     
    SMS, Dec 1, 2008
    #15
  16. RMV

    RMV F1 Veteran

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    Fantastic!
     
    RMV, Jan 3, 2009
    #16
  17. Etcetera

    Etcetera Two Time F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    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.
     
    Etcetera, Jan 3, 2009
    #17
  18. Mang

    Mang F1 Veteran

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    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
     
    Mang, Jan 3, 2009
    #18
  19. 575Mike

    575Mike Formula 3

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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    575Mike, Jan 3, 2009
    #19
  20. lotustt

    lotustt Formula 3

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    Excellent. Cheers!
     
    lotustt, Jan 3, 2009
    #20

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