- This topic has 13 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 7 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
My wife’s grandfather built his Classic Roadsters Duchess VW based kit off of a ’71 VW Beetle in 1982 for my wife’s aunt. When his wife figured out that it was fiberglass with a front mounted gas tank, she put the brakes on it being driven by her daughter. After only 1500 miles were put on it, it was left to sit in a garage until now. It was last started about 10 years ago. The seats are stained with mold but complete. A leak in the garage lead to a hole in the drivers side floor (yet the undercarriage looks like it was never driven :lol:). The brakes go to the floor and, so far, I haven’t been able to get it to start. The tires have been flat for almost a decade. The body is close to perfect and the chrome only needs some polishing to be perfect. The side curtains are dirty but salvageable. The top is like new. He wanted $1000 for it and I didn’t want to squabble with family over money, so I took it at that price. Did I pay to much for this project?
BIGBAND39 2013-06-04 10:26:16 Let’s put it this way. A good-running dual-port VW motor (which this one likely has) is worth what you paid for the whole car…
Or, a new chrome grille shell is about $900, without the chrome slats which are about $200 extra. A new top and side curtains are $600. Etc, etc, etc.You did well…Early FF TDr on 69 VW pan
Slowly coming back from the ashes...I agree with Kent.
You might have saved a few bucks. But $1,000 isn’t excessive.And Kent is right about the parts values! So even if you give up on the car, you’ll get your money back.PMOSSBERG2013-06-04 10:39:28
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)
Little bleach on the seats, followed by some armor-all.
Empty the fuel tank and clean it. Water’s fine–it’ll dry, but I’d use about two cans of starter fluid. Spray it in and dump it out. It evaporates in about two minutes.See other post re getting her started. This won’t take all that much. Replace the coil. New points and condenser. Probably new plug wires. Pull the plugs and see, clean if dirty. Spray penetrating oil in the plug holes and put them back in. Crank the engine over with the starter, or by hand. Change the oil.Drain the brake fluid reservoir, refill, drain again. Then replace the soft brake lines, wheel (slave) cylinders, and brake shoes. Refill with new fluid and bleed until you get a nice high pedal. If it won’t come up all the way check the adjusting screw on your brake rod. Mine needed a half turn or so.Replace the tires.Get some self-tapping sheet metal screws and some sheet steel and patch your floor hole, then put some carpet over that.You’ll probably have electrical gremlins but you should be on your way. Drive on! Buy a new floor pan so you’ll have something fun to do next winter.edsnova2013-06-04 10:55:56
If I lived just a bit closer, I would give you $1200 and be glad to take your car for parts. A bargain. Smile, be happy!
nice find watch my thread (I’m ready). rockauto has almost all the brake parts. if your hoses are bad get stainless hoses you’ll get a much firmer pedal keep us posted on your progress
If what you say is true, that’s going to clean up nice.
I think you did well.
Happy motoring.Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"There goes Roy again. Always ready to help out a friend!
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)
After a month of night of getting a few hours at a time at the garage, I finally was able to get my Duchess out on the road! Here is what she looks like now in comparison to the sad garage pick I posted earlier. She still needs replacement tires, the rear suspension feels loose, floor patching, and I want to find some chrome trim rings and baby moons for the rims. Still, not bad for the money. 😀
Car looks great!
Back to your initial question…You did not over pay!
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)
That’s a real beauty, Jonathan. I’d say you owe grandpa a ride, if nothing else.
1981 Lafer TI
1600 cc Type 1 engine
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.