Discussion
Hi there, first post, be gentle...
I am wondering about the feasibility of restoring/working on a rubber bumper mgbgt, having read much about them in this forum and in the octane article a few months way back when... To give you a little background:
My parents had two bgt's before I was on the scene, the last of which spent its later life in various states of disrepair with family friends until eventually being sold four years ago, though in its formative years was a much loved part of the family (I'm told).
An opportunity to repurchase the latter of the two has recently come about, but it is still sorn and generally looking a bit ragged. Anyway to cut a potentially long story short it could be mine for not much more than two month's beer fund (its really quite cheap, ive excluded wine from the calculation) and I am toying with the idea of getting it back to it's original 80's orangey glory.
Now, the difficult part, I have never worked on a car but am approaching the end my work based exams and, fingers crossed, will find myself with evenings and weekends again, and have for a long time wanted to do something like this hence buying some of the basic tools, taking a few courses is not a problem as I'd hope to continue this as a hobby.
Secondly, living in london I am not fortunate enough to have a garage, but from a quick trawl of google it appears I can rent something relatively cheaply a 30min drive out or so, not ideal I appreciate but would be short-term whilst my brother sorts room in his.
I appreciate there will be a fair amount of work that will be outside what I can achieve on a first project; I'm thinking bodywork, elements of the mechanicals etc, however this definitely won't be one for the purists; i want it to work, look like it used to and have a sniff of reliability and then I will return it to my mum for whichever birthday it happens to be ready for, for the express purpose of pottering around the village rather than any serious mile munching.
To simplify my questions,
1.) Is it a good car on which to learn the basics?
2.) Given its a bit of a heap will it bankrupt me?
3.) Anybody else start (the classic thing) with a BGT?
4.) Given the above, do I stand a hope in hell?
Before this comes across as entirely selfless, I will be keeping myself on the insurance, and stumbled across the Sebring projects on here and they look superb! I might repeat the process for myself once I've cut my teeth, if not that then something classic and British at any rate...
Any words of wisdom much appreciated,
Potes
I am wondering about the feasibility of restoring/working on a rubber bumper mgbgt, having read much about them in this forum and in the octane article a few months way back when... To give you a little background:
My parents had two bgt's before I was on the scene, the last of which spent its later life in various states of disrepair with family friends until eventually being sold four years ago, though in its formative years was a much loved part of the family (I'm told).
An opportunity to repurchase the latter of the two has recently come about, but it is still sorn and generally looking a bit ragged. Anyway to cut a potentially long story short it could be mine for not much more than two month's beer fund (its really quite cheap, ive excluded wine from the calculation) and I am toying with the idea of getting it back to it's original 80's orangey glory.
Now, the difficult part, I have never worked on a car but am approaching the end my work based exams and, fingers crossed, will find myself with evenings and weekends again, and have for a long time wanted to do something like this hence buying some of the basic tools, taking a few courses is not a problem as I'd hope to continue this as a hobby.
Secondly, living in london I am not fortunate enough to have a garage, but from a quick trawl of google it appears I can rent something relatively cheaply a 30min drive out or so, not ideal I appreciate but would be short-term whilst my brother sorts room in his.
I appreciate there will be a fair amount of work that will be outside what I can achieve on a first project; I'm thinking bodywork, elements of the mechanicals etc, however this definitely won't be one for the purists; i want it to work, look like it used to and have a sniff of reliability and then I will return it to my mum for whichever birthday it happens to be ready for, for the express purpose of pottering around the village rather than any serious mile munching.
To simplify my questions,
1.) Is it a good car on which to learn the basics?
2.) Given its a bit of a heap will it bankrupt me?
3.) Anybody else start (the classic thing) with a BGT?
4.) Given the above, do I stand a hope in hell?
Before this comes across as entirely selfless, I will be keeping myself on the insurance, and stumbled across the Sebring projects on here and they look superb! I might repeat the process for myself once I've cut my teeth, if not that then something classic and British at any rate...
Any words of wisdom much appreciated,
Potes
Hi, welcome to PH
1) potentially yes it is as there are loads of parts and info but there can be some awkward bits usually bodywork
2) potentially yes it could turn out to be very expensive – poor and very poor bodywork is the more expensive element usually
3) there’ll be loads
4) yes if you do a lot more research, don’t take too much notice of generalised and usually inaccurate magazine articles, your hopes are directly related to the present condition of the car and how quickly you want to move on to other things in your life or want to give up on the project and how much you’re prepared to give up to get the project finished well
getting the car together is one thing then it needs maintaining and full and regular servicing and driving to get it and keep it reliable, it will need very few if any changes for reliability and regular use
having the car only pottering around the village and not doing any real mileage will be worse for the car and not help with reliability but will require more servicing work
one thing you and your mum will need is the original glove box Driver’s Handbook and I suggest you get a copy before even deciding if you’re going to buy the car – (Ref: ) – http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue...
1) potentially yes it is as there are loads of parts and info but there can be some awkward bits usually bodywork
2) potentially yes it could turn out to be very expensive – poor and very poor bodywork is the more expensive element usually
3) there’ll be loads
4) yes if you do a lot more research, don’t take too much notice of generalised and usually inaccurate magazine articles, your hopes are directly related to the present condition of the car and how quickly you want to move on to other things in your life or want to give up on the project and how much you’re prepared to give up to get the project finished well
getting the car together is one thing then it needs maintaining and full and regular servicing and driving to get it and keep it reliable, it will need very few if any changes for reliability and regular use
having the car only pottering around the village and not doing any real mileage will be worse for the car and not help with reliability but will require more servicing work
one thing you and your mum will need is the original glove box Driver’s Handbook and I suggest you get a copy before even deciding if you’re going to buy the car – (Ref: ) – http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue...
1.) Is it a good car on which to learn the basics?
Probably the best. they are like lego to work on, mechanically and the parts supply is ace.
2.) Given its a bit of a heap will it bankrupt me?
The body might. how knackered is it? pics?
3.) Anybody else start (the classic thing) with a BGT?
my first classic in the uk was(is) a roadster
4.) Given the above, do I stand a hope in hell?
what's the worst that could happen?
where in london, potes?
i'll come and have a look, if you like. i looked at roughly 9,000,000 cars before i bought mine. there are some good books that give you a bit of a heads up on what to look for. lindsay porter's restoration guide was the one i read first.
also - get on the waiting list with your council, re: garages. i rent one fairly cheaply near my house.
Probably the best. they are like lego to work on, mechanically and the parts supply is ace.
2.) Given its a bit of a heap will it bankrupt me?
The body might. how knackered is it? pics?
3.) Anybody else start (the classic thing) with a BGT?
my first classic in the uk was(is) a roadster
4.) Given the above, do I stand a hope in hell?
what's the worst that could happen?
where in london, potes?
i'll come and have a look, if you like. i looked at roughly 9,000,000 cars before i bought mine. there are some good books that give you a bit of a heads up on what to look for. lindsay porter's restoration guide was the one i read first.
also - get on the waiting list with your council, re: garages. i rent one fairly cheaply near my house.
wow, what a great offer, grab it with both hands but don't mess the chap about
my first 'classic' was a MG BGT but bear in mind a lot of lower priced 'classics' are just popular, thus expensive, old cars and could be old bangers
if you can get it as a sensible price this should be a good book for servicing and restoration if it's anything like the Spridget version I have http://www.amazon.co.uk/MGB-Step---step-Service-Gu...
my first 'classic' was a MG BGT but bear in mind a lot of lower priced 'classics' are just popular, thus expensive, old cars and could be old bangers
if you can get it as a sensible price this should be a good book for servicing and restoration if it's anything like the Spridget version I have http://www.amazon.co.uk/MGB-Step---step-Service-Gu...
Potes said:
1.) Is it a good car on which to learn the basics?
2.) Given its a bit of a heap will it bankrupt me?
3.) Anybody else start (the classic thing) with a BGT?
4.) Given the above, do I stand a hope in hell?
Potes
1, Yes. Parts availability is great. There are plenty around to compare with and the owners clubs are large.2.) Given its a bit of a heap will it bankrupt me?
3.) Anybody else start (the classic thing) with a BGT?
4.) Given the above, do I stand a hope in hell?
Potes
2, Maybe. It's down to the condition of the bodywork but it depends on your defintion of bankruptcy
3, Yes. Me and loads of others.
4, Yes but it depends on how much time, effort and money you have to invest in it. Don't be too put off by this though as if it's something you are intersted in then you will enjoy it.
Funny thing is I have just bought back the BGT I sold 17 years ago, so I can see where you are coming from. When I first owned it it was pretty up together, and I had the luxury of being at home and access to a good large garage and loads of tools. It was even the first time I welded anything; I had to cut metal out of the rotten Tudor Webasto roof and weld in strips to refit a new Britax, and I am pleased to say that repair has stood the test of time!
I was luckier still in that mine returned with a long MOT, but having looked deeper into the car, I am not so sure that all Classic car dealers are completely bothered about structural integrity when it comes to sticking a ticket on a car.. Holed castle rail, chassis leg for starters!
BUT I caught a train oop north and drove it straight home, safe in the knowledge that this was MY old car and EVERYTHING is fixable, even when the speedo packed up half way home.
Moral is this, if you have an attachment to the car you should grab it by the bits that won't fall off, settle in for the long haul, and enjoy it! You won't get another chance.......
Hell, my missus even let me have my garage back for it!!!!
I was luckier still in that mine returned with a long MOT, but having looked deeper into the car, I am not so sure that all Classic car dealers are completely bothered about structural integrity when it comes to sticking a ticket on a car.. Holed castle rail, chassis leg for starters!
BUT I caught a train oop north and drove it straight home, safe in the knowledge that this was MY old car and EVERYTHING is fixable, even when the speedo packed up half way home.
Moral is this, if you have an attachment to the car you should grab it by the bits that won't fall off, settle in for the long haul, and enjoy it! You won't get another chance.......
Hell, my missus even let me have my garage back for it!!!!
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