Tom Vilardi

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Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 114 total)
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  • #307465
    Tom Vilardi
    Participant

    @vilardi

    Does anyone know if the older style Triumph wire wheel set-up also increase the track by 1.25 inches on both sides like the MWS version?

    I’m assuming the MSW wheels/rims are 15 inch.  I’m seeing references to the Triumph Spitfire wire rims being 13 inches?  Is that correct?

     

    Tom Vilardi
    BCW Model 52
    South Orange NJ

    #306325
    Tom Vilardi
    Participant

    @vilardi

    Started a new Horn post and then found this one.

    I mounted a Lucas Horn button to my dash a few years back and it worked great (I also recessed the radio behind a glovebox door and it eventually fell into the under-dash area and presumably pulled the ground wire from what I think is a relay).  When I discovered this I couldn’t find the original secondary wire, so attached a new one at the horn and would bring to a terminal on what I think is the relay – I got a very short beep each time (milisecond) but then a clicking sound.

    So I was thinking the relay might be bad?  But it has other things going into it (metal box on firewall).  And no matter what I do I cen’t get the horn to work – BUT, then a put an alligator clip onto the back of the new wire which I wanted to attach to the Relay? (metal box) and in instead attached it to a metal screw on a metal brace which goes to the frame – and Voila!  Horn works good as new.

    So for folks who know more about Auto Electric than me (like most everyone), Am I nuts for doing this?  I don’t seem to be draining the battery or anything.

    Any help is greatly appreciated.

    Tom

    BCW Model 52

     

     

     

    Tom Vilardi
    BCW Model 52
    South Orange NJ

    #305852
    Tom Vilardi
    Participant

    @vilardi

    And a British Coach Works on Facebook Marketplace in Essex MA for $9720

    Tom Vilardi
    BCW Model 52
    South Orange NJ

    #305851
    Tom Vilardi
    Participant

    @vilardi

    Look on Facebook Marketplace.  There’s a kit in Longmeadow MA (yeah I know it’s not MI) currently for sale $4500

     

    Tom Vilardi
    BCW Model 52
    South Orange NJ

    #305846
    Tom Vilardi
    Participant

    @vilardi

    Garry,

    Being that I have one I recommend them, but they are not all Yellow Schweppes Promotional items.  They are “officially” British Coach Works Model 52’s.  Mine (which is Black) even carried a sticker on each side with the word “Ascot” (one of the first things I pulled off of it).  In better weather I see a faded Silver BCW  in Newark on the way to work.

    A guy from down South (Carolinas?) – Ricrx7 – had a BCW and a tin-TD with a Volvo engine and last time I heard he was thinking about selling the BCW.  I found mine on Craigslist, but I was just lucky.  They show up on Ebay too occasionally but sometimes under the MG category and other times under replicas.  You need to become familiar with the various permutations of all these TDR’s in order to fine the configuration that works for you.

    If you have the time to read through the Manufacturer Comparison section of the Forum you’ll find more detail about them and perhaps even someone who will part with one.  There are Facebooks pages dedicated to BCW and MG TD Replica/Kit Owners.

    Best of luck!

    Tom

     

     

    Tom Vilardi
    BCW Model 52
    South Orange NJ

    #305845
    Tom Vilardi
    Participant

    @vilardi

    Tetowle,

    I’ve got a British Coach Works with a mid 1980’s Chevette Engine and all the associated emissions items (presumably still functioning).  I’ve left it all alone but have seen others remove the air pump and piping, there is also a valve that is either heat or pressure controlled on the neck of the air cleaner cover which I think is probably useless and at least one hose directly off the main portion of the air cleaner cover.  My air cleaner neck also has a long tube which snakes to the front of the engine and provides the air pickup.  Sometimes mine sputters before turning off, so I run Super Unleaded in the car which seems to take care of the issue but I think in general it runs rich.  Once it warms up the Carb idiot light comes on but it’s probably associated with the old emissions items.  Mine also tends to not want to kick down until it’s gone a few miles.

    One guy on this site felt his engine was being starved for air, so he drilled alot of holes in the air cleaner cover and felt that made a difference.  I simply flipped the air cleaner top upside down to see if I noticed any additional “pep” and can’t say I have.  My TD also doesn’t seem to have a muffler – the cat seems to be doing double duty.  Eventually I’ll remove that and put in a proper muffler and at that same time remove the air pump and lines.  I think that will make a difference.

    Thought it might help if I shared my own issues.  Hoping someone with better mechanical skills can chime in.

     

    Tom

     

    Tom Vilardi
    BCW Model 52
    South Orange NJ

    #305668
    Tom Vilardi
    Participant

    @vilardi

    You should look to find the manual (or at least an on-line resource) for your Speedo.  Mine (Classis Instruments Brand) is electronic – (a sensor reads revolutions in the drive train).  There are a series of little switches on the back of the speedo which allow you to increase or decrease speed readings.  I re-adjusted once, which made it better but I’m still a little off.

    Tom Vilardi
    BCW Model 52
    South Orange NJ

    #305667
    Tom Vilardi
    Participant

    @vilardi

    Hey Ricrx7,

    My ’52 BCW TD is a factory build and has the louvres open.  They were routed – probably during assembly.  I have not had heat issues.

    I have an original TD Hood top and placed it on top of the BCW hood in comparison.  The BCW hood is about 2 inches longer – so original sides and tops won’t work unless you move the grill back a bit.  I think it was made longer to accomodate the steering for the VW variant and it was just cheaper to keep the panels the same length on both.

    Tom

     

    Tom Vilardi
    BCW Model 52
    South Orange NJ

    #303566
    Tom Vilardi
    Participant

    @vilardi

    Sorry for the delay in responding Rabien.  Re. painting the grill I used a Rustoleum Almond Color and painted it on with a disposable sponge brush.  I had previously spray painted the grill a semi-gloss black, so the Almond went right over that with decent coverage.  Has been about a year since I did it and it is holding up just fine.

    Tom Vilardi
    BCW Model 52
    South Orange NJ

    #303565
    Tom Vilardi
    Participant

    @vilardi

    My British Coach Works Model ’52 has 14 Inch wheels too mounted with P185 75 R14 tires.  As far as I can tell the wheels are original to the car (factory manufacturered vintage 1986).

    I’ve been looking for replacements and there is a Continenal 185 80 R14 called the “Vanco 8” which is the highest aspect ratio (width to height.. the “80” representing 80% of the width of the tire) I have been able to find in the US.

    The Vredestein’s I see on many “Tin TD’s” even with 15 inch wheels are actually slightly smaller in diameter than a 185 75 R14.

     

     

     

    Tom Vilardi
    BCW Model 52
    South Orange NJ

    #302831
    Tom Vilardi
    Participant

    @vilardi

    Hey Elmo,

    My mid 80’s British Coach Works has the vents routed out on the sides.  With the exception of one time (hot Summer Day and a slow radiator leak I forgot to check) where I ran hot until I topped things off, my engine seems to cool just fine.

    My gut says venting (where the vents are supposed to be) may take care of your problem.

     

     

    Tom Vilardi
    BCW Model 52
    South Orange NJ

    #302789
    Tom Vilardi
    Participant

    @vilardi

    Been exactly a year  since I picked up the BCW-TD and still loving it!  Glass is still absolutely still half full, but I’ll use this as an opportunity to go list the “half empty” things and compare with others who have the same factory built car.

    • Oil light goes on and off but the level seems good and nothing else seems out of the ordinary, so I run as is and eventually will put in a gauge.
    • Gas gauge stopped working (not sure if it’s as simple as a loose wire or more involved…eventually I’ll get to that too).
    • Catalytic converter air line (I left all the original pollution control stuff in place) scrapes if I go over speed bumps – would like opinions about removing all that stuff – including the crazy air filter cover with hose that snakes all the way up to the grill and has a butterfly valve in it which presumably opens up larger once the engine warms.
    • Idle starts very high and then goes so low the choke light comes on… was wondering if that has anything to do with the pollution control stuff mentioned above.
    • 14 inch wheels work fine and appear to have come with the car – would 15 inchers look better? (extra ground clearance?)  Current tires are 185 75 (185mm/7 1/4″ wide with the height being 75% of the width) – would be 24.93 ” tall.  Continental makes a 185 80 “Vanco” which would be 25.65″ tall.  Many of the tin TD’s I see are wearing Vredestein Sprint Classics which at 15″ rims seem to be 185 70 R15 and are only 25.2″ tall (shorter than the 14 inch wheel Continental Vanco!)…. thoughts?
    • I pulled the front fender mirrors off and now use a mirror attached to the winshield frame – works much better and makes the fenders cleaner looking (filled the holes in with small black carriage bolts)
    • I recessed the heater controls/radio and put in a surface mounted glove-box door made up of 3/8 ” plywood which covers them.
    • Still don’t like steering column, but feeling better after hearing some some MG A-B-C people speculating that the “Mystery TD” in the parking lot looked like it had a column swapped out of an MGB.

    Tom Vilardi
    BCW Model 52
    South Orange NJ

    #302219
    Tom Vilardi
    Participant

    @vilardi

    Dennis,

    My vote is with British Coach works (of course I own one).  I have had owners of “tin” TD’s remark how they like the way I was able to add a convenient fuel gauge to my dash and incorporate a more modern MG B steering column on my TD….LOL!

    99% of the metalwork on it (at least on mine) is original or reproduction to 1952.

    Car is about 2 inches longer than an original.  Wheels set properly within the fenders.  Mine has 14 inch wheels with round holes (not the 15 inch oval VW wheels).  “Tin” TD owners have remarked how I have evidently traded out the older style wheels for MGA or later wheels in order to run new style tires!

    Frame is custom made for the car (not a re-purposed Chevette Frame).

    Finding one is a bit of a challenge, but they are out there.

    Tom

     

     

    Tom Vilardi
    BCW Model 52
    South Orange NJ

    #301642
    Tom Vilardi
    Participant

    @vilardi

    <table border=”1″ width=”89%” cellpadding=”5″>
    <tbody>
    <tr>
    <td align=”left” valign=”top” width=”30%”>October 23, 2016</td>
    <td width=”64%”><b>NORTH AMERICAN CECIL KIMBER RUN – CLUB EVENT</b>
    A British car tour thru the beautiful Skylands region of northwest New Jersey at peak foliage season with lunch and few surprises on route. Celebrating the founder of the MG marque. Open to all British cars <i>classic and modern.</i> Information contact: Richard Miller 908-713-6251, e-mail mgdriversclub@hotmail.com or website: http://www.mgdriversclub.com.</td>
    </tr>
    </tbody>
    </table>

    Tom Vilardi
    BCW Model 52
    South Orange NJ

    #301641
    Tom Vilardi
    Participant

    @vilardi

    <table border=”1″ width=”89%” cellpadding=”5″>
    <tbody>
    <tr>
    <td align=”left” valign=”top” width=”30%”>September 17, 2016</td>
    <td width=”64%”><b>Brits on the Beach 2016: 19th Annual British Car Day at Historic Ocean Grove, NJ. </b>
    Presented by the Positive Earth Drivers Club. Judging by participants choice, dash plaques for the first 130 cars. Walk the Ocean Boardwalk just 2 blocks from the show field. Have lunch at one of Ocean Grove’s many cafes and restaurants. Stroll the Main Ave. business district and check out the town’s antique dealers, gift shops, clothing stores and other businesses. Tour the area and see the historic Great Hall, quaint Tent City and the many Victorian Hotels, Inns and other buildings. This is the one car show your wife will want to come to! The show will go on rain or shine, contact us or see our web site for full details. Phone: 732-620-2378. Email:show@pedc.org. Website: http://www.pedc.org.</td>
    </tr>
    </tbody>
    </table>

    Tom Vilardi
    BCW Model 52
    South Orange NJ

    #301454
    Tom Vilardi
    Participant

    @vilardi

    Ed (and onyone else who may stumble upon this),

    The 14 inch tires I currently have on mine are p185 75 r14.

    If I keep the 14 inch wheels I have the tallest tire I can find is a Continental Vanco 8 at 185 80 r14 (which I think is what Mercedez Benz uses on their sprinter vans).

    When I look for something taller that the 80% width-to-height ratio I keep getting thrown into French or other European tyre sites, but the sizing is confusing.

    Going 75r to 80r on a 14 inch wheel gives me about another .76 inches of ground clearance.  A 15 inch tire should give me at least an inch but NOT if the width-to-height ratio doesn’t go as high at 75% to 80%.

    Any thoughts Folks?

     

     

    Tom Vilardi
    BCW Model 52
    South Orange NJ

    #301325
    Tom Vilardi
    Participant

    @vilardi

    Ed,  Is this the one you saw?  https://www.roadreadywheels.com/product/nissan-altima-steel-wheel-2/

     

    Tom Vilardi
    BCW Model 52
    South Orange NJ

    #291216
    Tom Vilardi
    Participant

    @vilardi

    Thanks Paul and Stephen,

    I am well aware that folks have their regular “day” jobs/responsibilities and then pursuits like this.  There’s always something “doing” (or probably about to “do”)  with the BCW, so I liked to keep an eye on this site to hopefully head things off at the pass.

    Keep up the good work!

     

    Tom Vilardi
    BCW Model 52
    South Orange NJ

    #289420
    Tom Vilardi
    Participant

    @vilardi

    Okay call me stupid.  Where is the “full reply editor icon”?  Because the quick editor (which presumably I’m using here) seems to want me to type in locations extensions, etc.

    Tom Vilardi
    BCW Model 52
    South Orange NJ

    #289029
    Tom Vilardi
    Participant

    @vilardi

    Great Find Stephen!  Noticed that the reference to the British Coach Works “Model 52” is from before the GM engined (Chevy Chevette/Pontiac 1000) and factory built cars were available.

    I’m still learning about my own car and this site, but the front engined BCW TDr variation had a custom frame based on the original TD and did not use the GM frame.  99% or the metal was original or reproduction TD items.  Seats adjust as per the original TD but the behind the seat well is a bit smaller than other manufacturers and is indeed a “well” setup with a folding snap-down flap on the top.

    Even this tiny 4cyl engine carried the full compliment of performance sapping 1980’s pollution control devices (air pumps, air intake chokes, catyletic converter….).  Surprisingly it also made use of the little GM bottom mounted gas tank (the TD tank you see on the car is a dummy), which makes a large empty unaccessible void in the back where the VW folks have their engines.

    Not sure how to upload this to the model descriptions page, so will suffice with mentioning it here for now.

    Tom

     

     

     

     

    Tom Vilardi
    BCW Model 52
    South Orange NJ

    #284589
    Tom Vilardi
    Participant

    @vilardi

    I’d say they are all legitimate, but often folks often have no clue what these things are…. especially if inherited from old Uncle Bill or Grandpa.  The TDr’s from people who know what they are were up above $10K and I didn’t think it was worth posting here.

    Tom Vilardi
    BCW Model 52
    South Orange NJ

    #284532
    Tom Vilardi
    Participant

    @vilardi

    And this on in Rochelle Park NJ:

    https://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/5664477404.html

    Tom Vilardi
    BCW Model 52
    South Orange NJ

    #284531
    Tom Vilardi
    Participant

    @vilardi

    And this one in Old Bridge NJ:

    https://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/5583017943.html

    Tom Vilardi
    BCW Model 52
    South Orange NJ

    #284530
    Tom Vilardi
    Participant

    @vilardi

    And this one in Brooklyn:

    https://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/ctd/5650631482.html

    Tom Vilardi
    BCW Model 52
    South Orange NJ

    #278238
    Tom Vilardi
    Participant

    @vilardi

    When one consider’s that the Mini Cooper’s are produced at a BMW plant in Oxfordshire whilst others (larger Countryman) are produced by Magna Steyr in Austria (as well as my wife’s old E500 4-Matic Mercedes Benz, the Aston Martin Rapide, Deisel Jeep Commander and even the Puch (non moped – 4 wheel variant)), one begins to wonder exactly what is and is not “British”… why even the Titanic was owned by Americans!

    Real issue is that besides me and a chap from Newton NJ, no one is closer than NYC or lower PA/MD.  The folks with tin-TD’s tend to be a bit older (and richer) and more apprehensive about twisting roads, bad weather and running off into a ditch with a 65 year old vehicle worth $30K+/-…..

    TDr’s have become the modern stock-cars of the original T-series (remember that original stock cars, were indeed “stock”… modern variants are only stock-looking fibreglass shells) because we’re willing to put them to the test (even though our parts are probably harder to replace than the originals in case you crunch a fender or tear off a door….).

    You can’t belive the numer of Coopers on the road arond here – most of which either give me a wave, or glare at me because my TD is WAY cooler looking (and bigger) than their car!  In my experiences folks in the occasional beater TR6, MGB, Fiat Spyder, etc. are all mates and equally enjoy the cheers and jeers of the Mini Folks.

    So, basically I don’t think if you showed up at Wildwood or Augusta you’d be booed off the field…. but who knows?

     

     

     

    Tom Vilardi
    BCW Model 52
    South Orange NJ

Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 114 total)