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Don’t own a TD kit car, YET, but am shopping for one…
Just wanted to introduce myself. I’ve owned over 30 air-cooled VWs over the years, of all varieties other than the Type IV, but have been away from them for a while…Now that I’m rapidly approaching retirement, I’m looking for a VW-based toy/project…Hope I can contribute some knowledge/experience on the VW running gear while learning more about the MG & kits from you guys…For example, I’ve seen seen several references to the old Petersen book “How to Hotrod VWs” – and I would add some cautions that that material is very dated. Some things hold true, but…1. There are many better carb/intake choices that what are represented in that book… for example, the Holley/Weber progressive carbs that became common on Pintos and such are MUCH better choices than the old Bugspray.2. Most of that info was from the days prior to VW’s dual-port, dog-house oil coolers, so the whole performance vs cooling aspect needs to be tempered. For most milder VW built engines, the BEST cooling available is the factory cooling shroud with the larger, offset oil cooler. Make sure all empty holes in the shroud are plugged (such as where the plastic holders for spark plug wires plugged in) and the engine compartment is sealed to prevent hot air from the cooling system or exhaust/muffler area from being sucked back up and recycled through the cooling system. When I say factory cooling system, I mean all the way to factory thermostat and the cooling “flappers/vanes” in the bottom of the shroud. Those vanes spread and direct the air flow down around the cylinders.3. Keep in mind that the dual port heads and doghouse cooling system also was designed to use unleaded gas, using things like sodium-filled valve stems, thinner head studs that were designed to stretch more under high heat (rather than pulling the threads from the case), while the older engines were not. If you run a dual port engine, with all the factory cooling in place and operating correctly, most of the VW’s historically weak-spot of cooling the #3 cylinder and dropping #3’s exhaust valve will largely go away.Maybe those few tips will be helpful to some, as I ask my noob questions about these kitcars…Early FF TDr on 69 VW pan
Slowly coming back from the ashes...Hi, Kent, and welcome.
You’ll find these kits to be quite a bit of fun, and occasionally a pita, depending on the previous owner’s shortcuts and the amount of time it was left rotting behind the garage.
You’ve arrived at the only place where anyone might actually know the differences between different TD kit manufacturers–let alone care.
Keep your eyes peeled in the local penny saver, as well as craigslist and ebay. Find a decent running example and get cruising.
edsnova2013-02-21 21:23:17
Welcome aboard Kent!
You definitely found the right place to help you in your TD search.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions…many many questions! There are literally decades of experience here! Take advantage of that!
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)
Welcome Kent,
Have you tried http://www.thesamba.com yet? If not, try it. If so you’ll find more TDs for sale if you you go the classified part and in the search block just type m,g rather than mgtd. Usually get about 5 or 6 more.I’m building my kit as are about 4 or 5 others. I’m sure you’ll have a great time here.Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackWelcome and happy hunting.
Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"Just 6 short hours from you in Indiana!
Welcome aboard! Looks like the search is on!!! lolI’m just down the road from you about 5 hours. Heading to the Chattanooga show in April.
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The Shack
I’d already found that one on CL in Indianapolis and called about it. The guys supposed to get some more pics this weekend and send them to me. I’m not sure he knows what he’s talking about, since he says it’s on a ’78 running gear — and there were no ’78 standard bugs sold in the US.Also had emailed about the one on Samba in PA with a custom frame. I’m supposed to call Bill next week — he’s out of town now…It was that initial searching that helped me find this place! :-):lol::lol:Thanks for all the help, and well wishes…
Early FF TDr on 69 VW pan
Slowly coming back from the ashes...Where in PA?
Re the ’78: There were conversion kits to swap out the macpherson strut front end and weld/bolt in a torsion tube front end. So the seller may be correct.
I did some quick searching and could not find the kits now.
I found an old thread on the samba. But all the picture links were gone so it was not any help.
PMOSSBERG2013-02-22 10:25:44
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)
Hi Kent.
The owner of the car in Indy might be referring to the build year, or the year the car was originally titled as a kit car. Indiana is very screwy when it comes to titles. examine it (the title) very carefully. It may still be titled as a VW, or a built car, or a replica. in any case… ensure the VIN (on the chassis) matches the title. (i’m sure you already know this, but just a reminder)Good luck!PMOSSBERG wrote:Where in PA?It’s in Oreland, PA — not too far from the Philly area. Just 625 miles up I-81 from me… 😛Here’s the link — I suspect that one was put on a rotted-out floorpan, so they had to build a tube frame for it. I’ll know more, once Bill gets back next week… For example, the pic shows no chrome grille housing and the guy I chatted with said he wasn’t even sure it had one. The top and frame is there, and the rear apron is on a shelf.As far as the one on CL in Indy — the guy doesn’t really know much about it, or what it is. It was originally from Florida. His uncle bought it from a yard sale, then he bought it a couple years ago from his uncle and brought it north. I suspect it may be a ’68 running gear, because the guy said the rear wheels didn’t stand straight up – I asked if it was IRS or swing-axle, and he didn’t even know what I was talking about. A ’68 running gear would explain the 4-lug wheels and the “angled rear tires” that he talked about. It also supposedly has some crazing/spiderwebs in the fiberglass… sounds like it may have sat out in the hot FL sun, though he said it had been garaged since his uncle and he had had it… The badly faded gelcoat/paint would indicate that might be the case.I asked about the title — and he couldn’t even remember how it was titled. He initially said he thought it was titled as an MG, but then backed off of that. He’s supposed to get me a pic of the title…I’d definitely prefer IRS. So, the one in PA sounds better from that perspective. It’s a true IRS, with a dual port — the guy in Indy didn’t know the difference between dual port and single port, and simply repeated that it’s a ’78 so it would be whatever a ’78 had. I’m waiting on pics of the engine too…The one in PA has a cracked windshield, and was never completely assembled, though they did get it to the running/driving point a couple/few years back and took it to a couple shows/trade shows. It’s never been titled — which could be a challenge of its own. It’s been inside on that lift for a long time, the fiberglass is likely in a lot better shape, and Bill’s a VW guy from way back, so he’d know what it is (what kit) and what it lacks…The search and research continues…Early FF TDr on 69 VW pan
Slowly coming back from the ashes...Paul. The CMC Assembly Manual, Part 2 in the Download Manuals Tab on the left has the procedure for adding the torsion tubes to the Super Beetle. It starts on page 75. Reading what is there it sounds like the kit has a super beetle to torsion tube adapter plate.
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackHere’s one on the bay at the moment.
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The Shacknewkitman wrote:Here’s one on the bay at the moment.That one certainly looks interesting. I’ll try to contact him for more info…Thanks!Early FF TDr on 69 VW pan
Slowly coming back from the ashes...OK. I’ve asked questions of this seller through eBay. No response yet.Who can identify this kit?He says it is a Coach Works MIDI. Google finds nothing on that kit. It certainly doesn’t look like a British Coach Works kit — more like a Fiberfab MIGI to me — but what do I know — I’m a noob!No top or curtains — that’s some $$ — and it certainly would be nice to know the kit manufacturer when it comes to fitting those items…Otherwise, this is an interesting looking project, assuming it sells at an affordable price. Lots of deteriorated chrome, but otherwise not too bad…newkitman wrote:Here’s one on the bay at the moment.Early FF TDr on 69 VW pan
Slowly coming back from the ashes...Definitely a F/F MIGI! The grill badge tells that. I’m guessing, very early 80’s by the lower piece around the radiator in front. Earlier ones (late 70’s) exposed the steering column, later ones did not have a separate pc in the front and were just the fenders meeting in the front of the radiator.
Definitely a F/F kit though. But may have been sold under the CMC brand.Anyone else?Here are a few pictures of a few I built in 1982:
Notice the similar front apron….STG-inc.2013-02-22 15:04:44
By the photo of the front it is a FF kit. On the CMC kits (like mine) the front fenders meet in the middle in front of the grille while on the FF kits the piece in front of the grille is not part of the front fenders and has a couple of large bolts that apparently hold the fenders on.
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackSTG-inc. wrote:Definitely a F/F MIGI! The grill badge tells that. I’m guessing, very early 80’s by the lower piece around the radiator in front. Earlier ones (late 70’s) exposed the steering column, later ones did not have a separate pc in the front and were just the fenders meeting in the front of the radiator.Definitely a F/F kit though. But may have been sold under the CMC brand.Anyone else?Here are a few pictures of a few I built in 1982:Wow — I guessed right, based on my tiny bit of recent learning! Those are some beautiful builds that you’re showing off there!I understand that FF/CMC was the biggest selling of the kits. Does that mean that I should be able to get a top/curtains for it pretty readily? They use snap-in curtains, I understand…Early FF TDr on 69 VW pan
Slowly coming back from the ashes...Exactly Allen.That’s why I showed the pictures of the two tone cars. It shows the color of the fenders and the color of the front cowling. On the later versions (80’s) the fenders met in the front of the grill. thus being the same color.
I remember a few of the cars I built having the exposed steering column… Quite unsightly…You can easily get any part you need!
http://mgmagic.intuitwebsites.com/ Has any part you could ever need for these kits. Might be a bit pricey, but if you cannot find it anywhere else… it is worth it!Canvas top & curtains probably to be custom-made by a boat shop. Expect it to run $400-$600 all in.
This MP Lafer on the west coast could get interesting, and end up a bargain. Too bad he has neither the top frame nor the side windows. That might work in LA but not in the southeast…
Meanwhile, I think I may have found the project I want to tackle — a Fiberfab. I told the guy that I’d give him a final answer tomorrow. I wanted to “sleep on it” before committing….
KentT2013-02-25 17:54:52Early FF TDr on 69 VW pan
Slowly coming back from the ashes...
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