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Ok its sort of TD-ish. Maybe a melted TD but I figure if anyone knows what it is then you folks would be the ones.
Its got 64-67 MG B running gear, fiberglass body, rectangular steel frame. Any ideas? Thanks.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveseven/sets/7215762243270458 8/
Hi Dave,
Looks like somebody sat on my TD!
I’ve been around this hobby since 1982 and I have no idea what thsi car is. It’s reminiscent of a Maxi Taxi and a Spartan. But it is not either of those. And to my eyes, not similar enough to be predecessors of either
I’ve reached out to a few non-TD friends. Maybe they’ll come up with something.
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
Wow. Apparently you like a challenge!
I went to two very knowledgeable sources, Jim Youngs of Kit Car Builder and Harold Pace, a kit car guru who writes a tech column and vintage kit car column.
They do not recognize this one, either from the US or UK markets.
I’ve got one more feeler out there, but I’m not optimistic.
Sorry Dave.
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
I’m being to think you are correct, appears to be a streamlined version. Congrads on getting her running, must have been a challenge with all those wires
There is some nice detailing. I assume it carries the original MG title?I like the way the entire front area is hinged. In some ways it makes me think of an MG dune buggy.
Keep us posted on your project progress.
Dave,
Is the fiberglass hand laid? Or chopper gun?
It is not a sure thing, but manufactured kit bodies are usually chopper gun. Hand laying fiberglass mat is too labor intensive and time consuming.
A one-off, on the other hand, would likely be hand laid since teh craftsman likely would not have chopper gun equipment.
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
Hmmm … I dunno – how do I tell the difference. Sorry not really a fiberglass expert. Does seem like quite good quality though.
Dave,
I have been associated with the fiberglass industry since 1974, the easiest way to tell the difference is in the texture of the underside. I have made up some pics with discriptions. Paul hit the nail on the head in his post. Sometimes people will take their homemade mold to a glass shop to have the gelcoat and glass work done for them, usually by chopper. Sometimes a home builder will try to do the work themselves with fiberglass cloth or mat and they generally are not famliar with the characteristics of fiberglass and resin. You may see some dry spots, or pooling of resin, if the lay-up is too thick, you’ll get some post curing that ripples the gelcoat. Too much catalyst added to the liquid resin can cause hot-spots. Neither the glass nor resin have any personal strength, it’s the teamwork of the two that make it work and the mix has to be correct for it to work well, especially over time since poly resins can continue to cure for years. Here are some pics, hope they come out at a proper size. Hope this helps.
JasCochran40086.4739583333
I might add that chopped glass will take in tight curves much better than mat or cloth. Looking closely at your pictures, your car may very well be a prototype or a production body of unknown manufacture, the symmetry of the lines is good and care was taken, but what a mystery. I zoomed in on one of your pictures with the hood up…it appears to be chopped and nicely rolled, even and uniform glasswork. This body was laid up by someone familiar to glasswork. Someone modified the cockpit with torn pieces of mat, which is what is normally done, but that was not done by a pro. The recess for the top and frame is a nice touch, so this is well thought out and executed well. I was looking at your pics on Flickr. At first I thought this may be a British manufacture since the donor was an MG, but the steering is left not right.JasCochran40086.5254861111
I also wonder if perhaps the body was made for a VW pan and the builder modified it to suit a home made chassis with the MG bits. The rear looks rather air cooled VW dune buggy inspired.
Regarding that mess of wires, I faced a mess similar to yours, and solved it with a pair of sharp wire cutters and a new wiring harness from american autowire. I will assume that will come AFTER you get the rest figured out!
Greg
The closest that I have found so far is this picture. It is on an MG donor and the headlight mounts are similar to Dave’s car. At first I thought there was a bar to the headlights on the far side, but zooming in shows the bar is in the background and the headlights are mounted on the fenders.
Don’t have a manufacturer. It was not listed on the website with this picture.
I don’t see doors that swing on this car, actually I don’t see doors at all.
JasCochran40088.8845717593
The mess of wires is a bit daunting but I’ve got the fuel pump going, starter, heater but no spark yet. Hmmm. I want to get it running before I invest any real money into it.
That green one is similar looking but again too many differences to be the same thing. Odd little car I’ve got myself.
James,
That is the Spartan that I mentioned in one of the earlier posts.
It’s not the same as the car Dave has.
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
OK, my last source came up dry too.
Steve Hole, editor of Total Kit Car magazine (published in the UK) si also not able to id this car.
Dave – it appears you have the perfect storm! Good luck bringing it back to life.
PMOSSBERG40089.994849537
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
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