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- This topic has 17 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 8 months ago by Bob Frederick.
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April 20, 2018 at 2:16 am #304887
I am new to this forum and learning how to post. My td is 1952 Daytona migi on 71 vw chassis with 69 1500cc. This car was started by a family friend in the 80’s then sold unfinished to my father in 1988 and he completed it 80% but it had never been registered for street. I brought it home 4 weeks ago and have been spending nights and weekends on it. It is now titled and registered and I am working out kinks. I pulled motor and re sealed all gaskets and seals (it was too much like a real british car (leaking oil)), added some chrome, new exhaust, petronics , had a new 31pict, clutch, tires, new master to rear brake line etc. I can drive it but she still needs more work and interior finish and a repaint. It looks good at 20′. I will be asking lots of questions. If any one can lead me to a chrome grille shell that would be nice as the original friend did not add the option.
1952 Datona migi 71 vw chassis
1967 E type Jaguar OtsApril 20, 2018 at 3:45 am #304892Welcome! She looks good. I wish you luck on the search for the shiny grille shell. I needed to replace mine back in ‘08(accident) and finally settled on a damaged shell from an original TD and modified my fenders to fit. I recall a year or two ago, there was a fellow carrying one around at Carlisle trying to sell it. Just be patient, one will turn up. At least you currently have a shell.
I am intrigued by your side louvers.
Enjoy!
Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"April 20, 2018 at 7:08 am #304893Hey Bob, I too own a VW/Daytona.
Yeah, about those louvres, do you have metal side panels? They look to be stamped and real. Also, it appears that you have vertical posts on the outer top edges of your windshield ala original MG for securing the leading edge of your top. Unusual except on a BCW (and possibly Allison). Also, there appears to be some sort of added attachment on the top rear of the tub. Also unusual. Did the car come with a hard top?
Good luck with finding a chrome grill shell. It’ll cost you. (Remember that Daytona did “chop down” their shell to make it about 2″ shorter than a real TD or almost any of the replicas. So, if you do find one, you will likely have to cut it and reweld the bottom back on which will destroy the chrome. If yours is not painted fiberglass, you might be best of to have yours chromed.)
April 20, 2018 at 7:30 am #304894Welcome to our group! We’re always happy to get new folks to our club. Sorry I can’t help with your search, but, Good luck with your project!
Amor Conquista Todo
April 20, 2018 at 9:44 am #304895Welcome aboard Bob!
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)
April 20, 2018 at 10:56 am #304896Bob
MG Magic carries the chrome grill and slats but as noted by Roy it is a fair chunk of change and may have to be modified. It is only money and as you are doing your own wrenching you will find one can rationalize just about any purchase for one’s hobby
http://www.mgmagicclassicmotorparts.com/search.php?search_query=Grill
Expect Moss and other classic British car parts retailers may carry what you are looking forWelcome to the forum
- This reply was modified 6 years, 8 months ago by Toller.
David B Dixon
Port Perry ON CA
SabineApril 20, 2018 at 7:41 pm #304898The wood on the back my dad got from Moss and apparently it came on the originals Td’s according to him. I have not verified that as of yet. The louvered panels are stamped steel. I have been thinking of wrapping the grille with chrome (not myself) but someone who knows how to do it. I have slats from original td that will have to be trimmed to fit after I cut out the opening if possible. I have a windscreen question- The front window frame is grooved in front and glass is set back- this looks to me that it is installed backwards? Am I wrong? I also lost the wing windows in transport from Bay area Ca- there somewhere between 5 and the 101 🙄 . where is the best place to source new ones. Thanks for you input and I am sure I will be asking many more questions.
1952 Datona migi 71 vw chassis
1967 E type Jaguar OtsApril 20, 2018 at 8:27 pm #304899Last first: Wind wings are really not special and can be bought at Moss, Victoria British etc etc. The “backwards” front windscreen with the groove facing forward is what most all TDrs have except BCW and Allison. The front edge of the top has a horizontal bar of steel that fits into the groove and then the fabric of the top pulls back on it to hold it into place. BCW has a horizontal piece of wood (MG like) that when the top is installed, fits over two vertical pegs into two sockets and then is held in place by two winged screws. The “normal” method of securing the top to the windscreen for TDrs is with the forward groove. It is much more weathertight than original or BCW mounting. I’m sorry but my explanation is not so good. Ed??
I have never seen stamped steel side panels on a TDr. MGTD had stamped steel panels of course, but the louvers were much bigger than yours.
Putting a chromelike vinyl wrap on the grill shell would certainly be the least expensive.
Re the wood on the back: I don’t remember if it was on originals. Never saw it on a TDr.
April 20, 2018 at 8:51 pm #304900Welcome, Bob! Nice car.
Roy, your explanation of the top differences is bang-on. The BCWs leak a bit, some (like mine) more than others. The price one pays for almost authenticity.
The wood along the back is correct for a real TD. They would have snaps attach to the wood, and the top attached that way, rather than snaps in the metal body tub like most replicas. Very cool detail I’ve been meaning to get around to for a few years now!
And, yeah, no one notices anyway.
Have fun with the build and we’ll try to help.
April 20, 2018 at 9:08 pm #304901BTW Ed goes to extremes trying in modifying for authenticity, but his TDr is running a Subaru engine. Damn the “almost authenticity” – don’t need no stinkin XPEG.
April 21, 2018 at 12:04 pm #304902edsnova I looked at some of your photos. It looks like you widened the car and installed wire wheels. I would love to know how you mounted the wheels as well what you used. My car will not remain yellow and I am not afraid to make mods prior to paint. I have and extra set of 15″ E type wire wheels removed from my other car that I would love to install on the migi. I am going to get myself in so much trouble here. Bob
1952 Datona migi 71 vw chassis
1967 E type Jaguar OtsApril 21, 2018 at 12:32 pm #304903At your service.
Roy actually pioneered the wire-wheel adaptation. Use Triumph TR2-3 adaptors, drill and tap your VW hubs @ 4 x 4.5 to accept the adaptors. Screw short bolts in from the back to use as studs—I used lock washers and red threadlock. Then install the adaptors and the knock-on wheels as normal.
Any and all wire wheels will push out the outside of your tires some. I’m using 4.5-inch x 15 wheels (as per the TR3 & etc), and my car sits low, so I had to section the fenders about 3/4 of an inch. On the front, a 2-inch narrowed beam would have done as well, if not better. In back, however, the wheels sit a little proud of the body unless you widen the fenders; narrowing the IRS VW is not a job for beginners or the sane.
Roy’s car is a bit higher so he just rode them as-is.
Bonus knowledge: 4 x 4.5 is a standard(ish) old British car wheel bolt pattern. If you tire of the wires, the almost authentic setup is a set of MGA steelies. They look almost exactly like TD wheels, take the same hubcaps, and will tuck nicely under unmodified fenders.
If you prefer the racy look, get you a set of 15×6, 15-hole steel wheels from a late ’90s Nissan Sentra or Altima. These also look very TD-ish, have a good offset and will not sit proud of the bodywork, and you can run a set of 205/60s on them.
April 21, 2018 at 1:05 pm #304904If you do use the TRxx splined hub adapters for mounting the wire wheels, you will be able to use any of the standard full size (MG, TR 2/3/4 and Stag, and I think Morgan) 14 and 15″ wheels. MGB wheels are 14″ as are Stag wheels. Most if not all the others are 15″. XKE Jag wheels use a different larger spline and are not bolt on. How to make use of XKE wires on a TD replica is way above my pay grade.
April 22, 2018 at 12:09 pm #304905Thanks for wire wheel info. That is definitely something I’m going to think about. Really appreciate all the info and I’ll be back with more questions.
1952 Datona migi 71 vw chassis
1967 E type Jaguar OtsApril 25, 2018 at 3:25 pm #304915Today was a good day. I have had the car registered exactly 30 days today and I finally worked out carburetor issue (poor idle) due to poor fit of new intake manifold) I little massaging with hammer fixed it- it just did not align like removed one. So I took her for a 20 mile drive and she did well. There are still many things to do but it was a great milestone as this car has not been finished enough to be driven ever and its life was started in 1980’s
1952 Datona migi 71 vw chassis
1967 E type Jaguar OtsApril 25, 2018 at 5:40 pm #304917Good news! Congratulations.
Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"April 25, 2018 at 8:43 pm #304919Awesome! Driving these on public roads is a real joy, I say. It’s a bit like being Mick Jagger on a hoverboard.
April 26, 2018 at 1:12 am #304920I took my gal at for a sunset ride tonight and lots of waves and smiles. Thanks for the replies
1952 Datona migi 71 vw chassis
1967 E type Jaguar Ots -
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