- This topic has 15 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 10 years ago by
.
-
Posts
-
Capt K is a new member who says that he has an Allison “Daytona”. I own a Daytona MIGI, made by Daytona Automotive Fiberglass in Holley Hill, Florida.
Can someone set me straight on what the “Daytona” means? All of my research suggests that Daytona was the first to disassemble a MG, make molds, and market a fiberglass MGTD replica.My early Daytona MiGi has none of the fancy things found on many of the other later replicas:My headlamps are bolted to the radiator grill with no bracket between the grill & fenders,there are torsion bar covers at the rear of the running boards,there is no glove box,the windshield does not fold down,the rear engine cover does not have the same look as a real MG,there is no chrome strip running down the center of the hood,not real leather upholstery,non adjustable bench seats,has a side hinged bonnet with visible “locks”,1967 VW tail lights,a rather heavy looking aluminum windscreen frame,and MiGi has a shorter radiator grill.MiGi does have room to store a spare under the bonnet. And a “fake” spare “continental” on the rear on top of a narrower engine cover than on most.There are other differences but these stick out in my mind.I believe that Daytona was the “parent” of all other replicas eventually selling to Fiberfab (who ended up making and selling the most) and to London Roadster. Other manufacturers sprung up and each of the manufacturers made their own perceived upgrades and improvements on the original Daytona TD.I also believe that Allison made the closest to the original with many minor, but not necessarily inexpensive, details. For example, Allison has flush fitting doors. Second place (closest to original in appearance) would , in my opinion, be a British Coach Works.I have never seen a Lafer but they look to be their own design with a slight MG-like flair.I wouldn’t call Daytona the “parent.”
For example, the Daytona lineage has nothing to do Classic Roadsters Ltd. They did their own design for the way the body goes together and built their own molds. I’m sure other manufactures id the same.
And I’m not sure who was first to the game.
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)
Paul, you are right that “parent” is not an accurate word. Except, it is my understanding, in the case of LR & Fiberfab. I really was only addressing appearance. I once read an old magazine that credited Daytona as the first. Unfortunately, can’t remember which mag.
Reading from a 1977 Daytona MIGI sales brochure:
….”we produced the FIRST MG-TD fiberglass replica body, which I named ‘MIGI’, in February 1975.” Signed LaVerne Martincic, President Daytona Automotive
Somewhere else I read that Daytona kits were sold to London Roadster to assemble as factory manufactured “component cars”, but I have not been able to find my source.
A few quotes from Car and Driver’s May 1977 article about the Daytona, by Patrick Bernard:
“The Migi goes about it’s job as if it had years of engineering behind it……the cornering ability is beyond anything you’d ever imagine……it does exactly what it looks like it will do…..everything responds in a nimble, sports car fashion…..the result is not a Volkswagen anymore.”I’m pretty sure the MP Lafer factory in Sao Paolo, Brazil, started rolling cars out the door in 1974.
1981 Lafer TI
1600 cc Type 1 engineI agree Bill. MP Lafer built their roadster from 1974 to 1988. I’ve tried to find a real start date, but all I am able to come up with is “mid-1974.”
Of course, if you believe the company propaganda, we shouldn’t give them credit for possibly being first.MP Lafer always claimed they were not building a TD replica. Rather, they claimed the car was a fiberglass-bodied two-seat roadster that took “styling cues” from British sports cars of the 1940s and early 1950s, with a strong resemblance to the MG T cars and the Morgan Plus 4.To which I say…”balderdash!”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)
MP Lafer built by Lafer Furniture in Brazil. Different than MG TD in Doors are hinged on front of doors. Body is made one piece with fenders hood,and running boards one piece. mHood is hinged to open to the side. Hood is lockable from inside the car. Hood has hidden hinges and lock. Windshield does not readdly fold. needing to fold wiper blades and remove vent windows then use wrench to loosen windshield frame.
There is glass side windows and vent windows that are removable to make roadster. No canvas side curtains.Engine compartment is sealed from road air. Engine is sealed like VW.Car was well thought out. Seats recline.Approximately 4300 MP and LP lafers produced over the years built. It is a unique vehicle and a rare car. Not many seen here in US. I a lucky to have one that a friend gave to me. He gave up on restoration of it when he moved. On back burner as I have to finish rebuilding a Fiberfab vehicle. Really want to get to the Lafer. Placed side to side the difference in quality is fast to see. Fiberfab fenders will flex when pushed not Lafer. Lafer fender can be pulled on and will attempt to lift body with it no flexing.I agree with George. The Lafer is its own thing. It’s TDesque enough to run with us though, as the differences are too subtle for the average motorist to spot.
So then what is this beast? The door hinge in the front like the Lafer, but it doesn’t have the Lafer “MP” logo over the grille. The photographer identified it as a BCW, but if it is it’s the only BCW I’ve ever seen with that door configuration.
Vehicle is a Lafer, The light confrigutation is a dead give away. Lafers have the three lights above the front bumper. Not all of the Lafers built or sold had the MP on the grill shell, Another give away no exposed hinges on the hood. I would bet that the hood release is inside under right side of dash. Also there is a engine compartment release on rear bulkhead behind drivers seat.
Yeah that pic is def a Lafer, nto a BCW.
I’m amused how ya’ll buy into the “it’s not a TD replica” propaganda from MP Lafer.“TDesque”? Really Ed? Come on now.
I agree the MP Lafer is likely the best engineered VW based TD replica. But a replica it is!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 agree with Paul. It’s a replica. However, it is my understanding that Lafer was not sold as a kit. So it is not a MGTD “kit” car.
Eh?
Not strictly a kit car, no. But some were imported to the US without frames or engines (apparently qualifying as “parts” for import duties), then mated to donor VW chassis. There was a company here in Houston that would do the work, so I’m guessing that enough came in through the Port of Houston to make it worthwhile for a time. Mine is a TI model — the letters stand for Tourism International, or some such in Brazilian Portuguese — and differed from other MPs in that it has no chrome, no side vents behind the front fender flares, and a slightly smaller body-colored grill that’s angled back a bit more. It was built in December 1980 in Sao Paolo and sold as a 1981 model, but when I had the engine replaced my mechanic told me that the chassis was from a ’71 Bug. The bodies are, indeed, very sturdy. One owner in California told me that she’s been in three minor collisions over the years and has never had to have any body repairs done — not even a crack in the finish.
1981 Lafer TI
1600 cc Type 1 engineIt’s different enough from the TD and from other TD replicas that it’s its own thing. The doors, forward hinged. The rear engine cover treatment, those craaazy-big tail lights and especially the hard side windows can’t, in my mind, be squared with the idea of “TD Replica.”
It is a tribute to the style of the MGs and, arguably, the flat-grilled Morgans.I would never throw one out of our club though.We’ll agree to disagree Ed.
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)
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.