Description
MGB Roadster 1972 L registered. A Stalled restoration which just needs finishing.
First registered 01. 08. 1972. An original Chrome Bumper car with overdrive and leather trim.
This has been an on going project but time, loss of storage space and old age have made me decide to let someone else take over where I have left off.
Most of the hard work has now been done, the castle sections, rear quarters, sills, front wings, etc. and stainless splash panels have been fitted under the wings. The front wings were undersealed on the inside prior to being fitted. There is just some fabrication and welding needed on the drivers side floor and that’s it as far as the body is concerned. All the door shuts and inner sills have been painted. The doors are very solid as you can see from the photos. All it now needs is a few coats of paint. I have two litres of colour matched paint just waiting to be applied. The colour code is on the tin in case you require any more paint. It is traditional cellulose as was used originally.
When I bought the car it had been the subject of an earlier restoration that on inspection was a pretty poor job so I decided to strip it back and remove all the bad bits. With hindsight perhaps at my age I should not have taken on such a challenge but once I got going I was committed!
The interior is magnolia leather with red piping with matching door cards etc. This has all been re connolised so is ready to go back in the car. It will need a new set of carpets to match. The hood is in very good condition and there is also a works factory hard top. ( The hard top needs a refurb but since they are now becoming increasingly expensive and rare it will be worth doing).
I have 99 percent of the parts to finish the car; the original chrome bumpers, headlights, badges, door locks etc etc. There will be the odd item to replace, rear light lenses, one door handle as I recall but as I said most of it is there.
The car sits on Minilite style alloys which will benefit from a strip and repaint and the tyres have perished through age so will need replacing.
The engine has been overhauled and the under bonnet area is now finished with the exception of a new master cylinder for the clutch needing fitting.( It comes with the car) The car starts and runs very well with good oil pressure. It has a new alloy oil cooler and braided hoses, all the engine hoses have been replaced and the engine has been antifreezed ready for winter.
It’s frustrating for me not to complete this car but I think it is just one project too many and I can’t see myself ever finishing it. My Wife told me I should never have bought it and she is probably right
( unfortunately!).
If I charged the hours spent so far the car would already owe an absolute fortune but it has kept me out of mischief for a few years so that offsets the expense I suppose.
On the plus side, nice MGB Roadsters are commanding ever higher prices so when done, with the bespoke interior and the works hard top and minilites the car will be worth a tidy sum.
I have a loose leaf folder of history with the car with numerous receipts, old MOT certificates etc etc and some early photos of the car after the first restoration.
To anyone who knows their way around an MGB the hard work has been done properly this time and the finishing and putting back together is the easy bit so potentially its a good worthwhile project.
Have a look at the pictures and if you are interested enough to want to come and see the car please give me a call. the details below. As previously stated it's an original chrome bumper car which was the subject of an earlier restoration. It has since been stripped, all the bad bits cut out and replaced. An ideal car for anyone who can paint a car properly. Paint it and put it back together and it will be a super car ready to enjoy. The last four photos show the all important seams which have been gloss painted to protect them from the elements pending a top coat of paint.
