Home › Forums › Site › Rules and Etiquette › My London Roadster
- This topic has 17 replies, 14 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 2 months ago by Ryan Starkey.
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May 2, 2016 at 6:27 pm #236115
Good day to you all. I read in the “New Member” section that I need to post an introduction about myself and my interest in the MG replica scene.
I own a 1983 London Roadster in the crème/brown color scheme. Back in the mid 80’s, while living in Houston, my uncle bought a London Roadster. It was labeled as a 1983, one of 19(I believe) on a brass plaque on the dashboard. My older brother and I were enamored with the car. It was so awesome! Being picked up from anywhere in that vehicle just made our day. My brother had senior high school pictures taken with it. It was just beautiful.
Fast forward a decade, and the car was still in the family, but my uncle had come upon rough times, and through those times, had to part ways with the car. It was a sad time. About two years ago, that same uncle died in a tragic house fire. Fast forward to the fall of 2014, and I’m driving home from work one day past a house preparing for a household goods auction. Lo and behold, out in the front yard is an MG reproduction that looks very similar to the one my uncle once owned. I got out of my car to check it out, told my older brother about it, and relayed that I was pretty sure it was our uncle’s car. He stopped by later that evening, and knew for sure. On the left rear of the car was a dealer tag that said “Bland, Houston”. That was it. Two days later, I bought it at auction. I have a house that is my priority right now, but when the dust has settled, the car is next.
It was abused with the owner in between my uncle and me. All the switches on the dash have been broken, the radio is trashed, I know the transmission needs work.
What I hope to get from this site is a brotherhood of folks who know through what I am going, that can help me get to where I want to be, and enjoy the process along the way.
I know I will have questions along the way, and could use as much help as I can get to give my family the enjoyment that this car gave us once before.
May 2, 2016 at 6:34 pm #267982What a great story to be united with the same car.
Welcome. This is THE site for encouragement and advise.
Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"May 2, 2016 at 7:48 pm #267983Welcome to our growing group. And you too will grow with us and get to know your TDr intimately. and then the best enjoyment will come with driving it. And you have to name the TD. Tradition and all that you know. Enjoy it all.
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackMay 2, 2016 at 8:19 pm #267984Hi,
Welcome aboard, I see someone already told you about naming your new love life. Rosebud is already taken, but I’m sure she wouldn’t be too jealous if there was another Rosebud.BillBad Bill
May 2, 2016 at 8:51 pm #267985I to have a London Roadster . One thing about our cars . When you are around car people you always here them talk about Horsepower, Mopar’s Muscle cars .etc When you go to car shows I get the most interest .
May 2, 2016 at 9:59 pm #267986Ryan, Welcome to the community of TDr owners. I have owned about two dozen sports cars and must say that this site is the best source for help I have ever encountered. However, you really should buy a copy of Muir’s VW for the Compleat Idiot. (nothing personal – we all have it.) And Rob and Dave’s VW Resource site online is also very good (and free).
Join the fun. Go fix the screen door and then post some “before” pictures of your (to you) new TDr.
May 2, 2016 at 10:00 pm #267987welcome where is mingo junction ? sounds familiar
May 2, 2016 at 10:25 pm #267988Welcome, Ryan. We’ll help all we can.
May 2, 2016 at 11:03 pm #267989Welcome Ryan
I have a London Roadster too.Mine is the custom chassis with 1776 CC.We look forward to hearing your journeyCheersJohnMay 3, 2016 at 10:05 am #267990Welcome to the TDr family Ryan!
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)
May 3, 2016 at 10:20 am #267991From a fellow LR owner,” WELCOME”!:-)
It’s a great story, too. Your family’s car has come full circle. Now it’s happy to be home, and you can restore it to its past glory.
I’m sure you will have many future drives in your car.
If you have questions, this is the place to find answers.
Be sure and post pics, when you get some!Amor Conquista Todo
May 3, 2016 at 12:09 pm #267992Glad to have you Here, Ryan!
We’re a fine group of misfits who are happy to help. You’ll love it here, not just for the info but it’s a great place for stories like yours. Remember, its the journey that makes a life.May 15, 2016 at 11:40 am #267993Welcome Ryan! From the above comments you are at the right place at the right time. Congratulations on “re finding” your Uncle’s car. This group has a vast resource of very knowledgable folks. We also enjoy seeing pictures of our members cars, and their projects on them.
Regards……….. Dave
Dave
Lakeland, Florida, where we drive Topless every dayMay 15, 2016 at 2:08 pm #267994Great story. The people on this site are really helpful and fun. They enjoy their cars and love to share.
1986 British Coach Works Type 52 (Sammy)
Chevy 2.8 V6, 5 speedSeptember 26, 2020 at 1:35 pm #307269Today is the day! I am about to begin the restoration of my London Roadster. I am going to change the oil, lube the cylinders, install a battery and see if it turns over. Any tips?
September 26, 2020 at 1:37 pm #307270I will take a picture to document the starting point and go from there.
September 26, 2020 at 2:46 pm #307272If it hasn’t been run in a while, maybe pull the coil wire and turn the engine over with the starter for 10-20 seconds to get the oil flowing first before trying to fire it.
September 27, 2020 at 12:36 am #307273Well, things didn’t go too well. Got the tires inflated, oil changed, new battery, but the ignition had no spring-back and some wires taped to the steering column shorted and began to smoke. Re-firing aborted.
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