1973 MGB Roadster - Restoration advice needed

[mmelindt]

Hi,

We bought our MGB 6 months ago, first owner, no rust - or very little - looked good. We have done 6000km over the summer and really enjoyed driving it. We live abroad, mainland Europe.

Recently we decided to get a quote for some work. There were a couple of things that we wanted to have done over the winter and we got a bit of a shock. The quote just for the very basic mechanical work was very expensive as the car had obviously been neglected by the previous owner. As I said, the chassis is in good nick, the engine is fine but there is a fair bit needing done - new suspension, suspension bushes, new silicone hoses, new petrol tank.

The parts are not the problem but the costs of labour is very high where we are. Hourly rate is approximately £90 for a mechanic.

Our query is this: would it be worth bringing the car to UK to have it restored? What is the normal going rate for a decent MG garage, and does anyone have a recommendation for one near the tunnel/ferry ports.

[chard]

You should be able to get decent work done in the UK for £50 + Vat per hour. Where abouts are you?

[mmelindt]

We are in Switzerland. Labour costs are high here, that is why we thought about going over to UK, perhaps even leaving the car over the winter and picking it up in Spring

[Swarley]

If you fancy a drive I have been told Poland is the place to send cars to be restored cheaply.

[mmelindt]

Thanks for the advice. Poland is a bit too far from here and I am a bit wary of the language difficulties.

We are thinking of taking the car to Scotland, where I still have family. Has anyone had experience of the Mercury Motors garage in Fife?

[alfa pint]

mmelindt said:

Thanks for the advice. Poland is a bit too far from here and I am a bit wary of the language difficulties.

We are thinking of taking the car to Scotland, where I still have family. Has anyone had experience of the Mercury Motors garage in Fife?

Yes. Very experienced, very expensive and not always as good as you'd like. I know a few people who've bought cars from him too and aren't exactly delighted. If it's just mechanicals, the B is such an agricultural car to work on that any sound old school garage can work on them. It's only the bodywork that requires someone decent and preferably experienced.

I know a decent MG specialist in Plymouth, who won't rip you off.(Looked after mine for 10 years, and even offered me his RV8 when it looked as though we might not have my B back on the road in time for my honeymoon). Ph me if it's not too far to go.

[StormWalker]

My brother runs Auto 2000 in Bedford he is an independent Porsche Specialist, however I have an MGB Roadster 72 and Nick does the work on that for me also. He is very skilled in fact I am thinking about asking his to do a V8 conversion for me. If you like I might be able to drive it back as I have friends in Luzern?

[mmelindt]

Alfapint
It is the mechanicals really, but we had the car in to get simple things done here in our local garage. They charged us over CHF 400 for fixing the heating (which still runs even when it is off), fitting a new choke cable (which does not stay out when pulled out) and fixing leaking petrol tank (which may need replaced anyway. In short, they were useless. Which is why we are thinking of taking the car to the old homeland. Latest idea was Scotland as we could combine it with visit to my parents, and my Dad could pop over occasionally and have a look. Plus we wondered if the hourly rate would be cheaper in Scotland. Could you send me the details of the garage in Plymouth?

Stormwalker
I guess that your brother would be almost as expensive as getting the work done here?

Tbh, we are keen on keeping the car and are leaning towards that now. We just need to find someone to do it for a fair price. It is great to be able to hear first hand of different garages, picking one off the internet is really not ideal.

[StormWalker]

The reason I suggesting you consider Nick is because he is actually half the price you can get the same work done is Switzerland. Also the winter months are quiet so your car could sit in the corner and he could work on it between jobs. Also he is thinking about getting an apprentice and this would be a good project for the apprentice to develop his skills, supervised of course. Might be worth a conversation I suggest you call him on 01234 210012.

[mmelindt]

That sounds interesting, I will wait till my husband gets home and give Nick a call. Thanks very much for the contact.

[Magog]

Have you considered having a go at doing work yourself? Parts availability is very good in the UK so getting them shipped to you shouldn't be an overly expensive or difficult proposition. At those labour rates the savings will soon start adding up. If there's any sort of classic car club you could join where you can get advice and support that would probably be a good place to start.

I understand that that side of classic car ownership isn't for everyone, but it can be really satisfying.

If it's not for you, then on the mechanicals side any good independent garage should be able to do a good job for a reasonable price. It's just a matter of finding a decent honest reliable one who has an understanding of, or a passion for older cars.