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Hello,
I’m new here. I have a lot of questions.
Is there a reason to prefer the Chevy drivetrain over the Ford and vice versa?
What is headroom like? I drove an MGB in college. I fit under the top, but the flap on the side curtains blocked my side vision. What’s the headroom like in the TD replicas?
PCKing
The Ford engines have a little more power, and are more feadilyavailable due to being used in more vehicles. The Chevys are closer in performance to the original MGTD (don’t know if that is a plus!) Both seem to be enjoyed by those of us who have them. As for headroom, you’ll have to ask someone taller than my 5’6″.
Headroom? Limitless!
Seriously though, it varies quite a bit by car. The BCWs, for example, were sold with at least two different windshield heights. By adjusting the top bows (assuming you were making a new top) you could plus or minus at least two inches right over your head. These cars look a little more upright than a B, but that could be deceiving. Best to try a couple.
Mine is the CMC Ford, and love it. I’m 6′ and lots of head room once your in the car. The problem is getting in and out. Tough to get this 60 year old body that low with the top up. Getting back out is a problem all of it’s own. The side curtains are a REAL pain to get on once you’r in there too. My soulition is just don’t put top up unless you’r caught out in bad weather, then head for home as fast as possiable. I guess I’m a fair weather driver.
Welcome aboard even though I have a VW based TD. Great forum here with lots of knowledge. And when you get the chance, register and post pics.
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackMy Duchess is VW based, but the roof lines are all similar.
I am 6’2″ and have no problem with visibility in any direction.
But the best solution to limited views through the side curtains is to simply leave the top down all the time!
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 PC.
One thing to consider when choosing a drivetrain is the availability of parts, both OEM and aftermarket.
Unfortunately, the Chevy Chevette/Pontiac T-1000 has absolutely no aftermarket for “performance” stuff. There are still “maintenance” parts available…filters, hoses, tune-up parts, gaskets, etc. But that’s it. The leading Chevette NOS and used parts guy in the USA is in Washington state, Rick Drake. http://members.boardhost.com/Vette_Man/ is a Chevette forum.
The Ford based cars have literally the whole Hot Rod aftermarket for suspension, engine parts, transmissions. The 2.3L “Lima” engine is still used by FoMoCo and companies like Racer Walsh and Esslinger market a plethora of hot engine parts.
The front suspensions on the Pinto/Bobcat/Mustang II are used in thousands of streetrods…even mine!
If I were to choose another completed TD Replica, I’d look for another Chevette based British Coach Works (BCW) or a Ford based Classic Motor Carriages/FiberFab (CMC) Ford based car in that order. Just my preferences though. I’ve had all three types…Ford, GM and VW.
Keep in mind there is nothing wrong with a VW based TD that is built right. The VW aftermarket and reproduction parts markets are without question, the most vibrant. Unfortunately the most “junk” new parts too. So, you have to be careful.
Good luck whatever you decide. Ask title and registration questions here BEFORE you buy too
That was fast!
Are there qualitative differences between the manufacturers? Fit and finish, fiberglass thickness, gelcoat, original parts?
I’ve seen a folding windshield in some of the gallery photos. Was that an option from some manufacturers or is that a windshield from an original?
There is a lot of variation in side curtains. Some are one piece. Others are more like the originals. Is that a manufacturer issue too?
I drove the B in Europe. I solved the side view issue by not putting the top up. At 80 mph the rain never touched me. Stopping was best done in Autobahn rest areas. They have looooong covered roofs over the pumps. I kept the license plate for the day that I had another MG.
PCKing
There are many differences between manufacturers, in terms of “authenticity” and even more differences in fit and finish depending on whether the car was factory built or home built.
Mark already mentioned the BCW, one of the nicer and more authentic “kits”. Classic Roadsters was also one of the better ones, but I’m biased!
I don’t have a comprehensive list of features or authenticity (or memory for it!). But it would be a neat thing to compile. Among the major areas that will differ by manufacturer:
Folding windshields – Some have them as standard, others as options, some didn’t offer it at all.
Front grill – Some manufacturers use reproduction MG TD grill shells and slat inserts. Others have a shortened grill shell, some even did them in fiberglass.
Roof/Curtains – Many (probably most) TD replicas use a simple two hoop roof, with a single layer top and zip on side curtains. But a couple do use original style roof, frame and curtains.
Dash – Not all replicas have an original style dash.
Dimensions – Some replicas are closer to the original than others.
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)
The Allison Daytona has the correct type side curtains with their own frames. Rich Wobby has a VW-powered one of these, and I think his windshield folds as well.
He’s also got a totally enclosed steering shaft. On my car (a BCW VW) and some other VW kits, the shaft is routed outside the body work for a few inches down near the front fender. Dead giveaway it’s a kit.
The Allison Daytona (which is different from the Daytona Migi) also has a pretty slick dashboard, including a metal gauge cluster and a useable glovebox. The front storage area is deeper than mine as well.
At Carlisle some guys came buy and actually felt up under my car’s fender to check the fiberglass thickness, which they pronounced thick. You pay with weight but gain some strength.
If I were in the market for a second car I’d be looking for another BCW or an Allison Daytona, particularly their Nissan-powered model, which is pretty rare.
That said, they’re all old kits, and the biggest differences in fit and finish and useability will stem from how they’ve been kept for the past 20-30 years. Anything the factory did not include or had messed up, you can add or fix to your heart’s content once you bring it home. Want stronger panels? Glass the inside. Want a folding windshield? Buy one and bolt it on. It’s part of the fun.
On Ed’s folding windshield comment…
Want a folding windshield?
MEASURE THE WIDTH OF THE COWL!!!
Then, and only then, if it is the same width as an original TD, buy one and bolt it on.
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)
Hmm… I’ve taken a first shot at what this features or specs list might look like.
Take a look:
https://tdreplica.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1554& PN=1&TPN=1
PMOSSBERG40687.6777893519
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)
BDriver first welcome to the group ,.I have a Chevette powered TD f/f a little under powered but will do 60 all day long I never did a long interstate drive most of the time 30 will do just fine , as for the top, some time you do need it up
rather watch the weather
it takes longer to put the top up than change the oil 
I have zip on side curtains they are a pain in the butt but not all that bad . the fun is all smiles the TD brings even in the rain. my co-driver [wife] and I take many evening drives. and enjoy the trip every time . as they say,,,,,, I am where I want to be! So do not go crazy looking you will find one what ever power it has you will truly enjoy her from the first drive to the repairs ………. Dan RMG Magic sells parts for CMC and Fiberfab replicas. Parts support is a good thing.
How do their dimensions compare to the originals? i.e. for things like a folding windshield. How does their build quality compare to BMC?
I agree that parts availability is a good thing,you never know when you may need some. The CMC diminsions are relatively close to the original MG but fitting a folding windshield will require trimming the molded in mounts off the cowl even if the measurments do check out.The folding windshield option was used when racing the MG to reduce wind resistance,It’s not something you will use on the street,but does add to the correct look.
The front engine CMC cars have wider fenders to accomodate the ford suspension and the basket ”wire” wheels that the factory provided. The Ford based cars are the most performance oriented.
I recently got a close look at a nice Ford based CMC and compared the fiberglass thickness to my British Coach Works car and the BCW is MUCH thicker.
The CMC cars use tops that do not allow for rear quarter windows.
Look thru the photo gallery at the top right and you will see many representives of just about all the types that are available.
Larry,
The gallery pictures rarely identify the source of the kit in the pictures. Most of the old members know the visual cues that differentiate the cars. I don’t. That’s what I’m trying to learn here.
Your comment about CMC tops is good to know. Did fiberfab use the same top?
Did BCW manufacture a front engine model?
Peter
CMC bought out FiberFab according to my info, so the cars are very much alike,the tops appear to be the same.
BCW did make a front engine model, it uses Chevette mechanicals on a custom built chassis.I am blessed to own one of them.
Someone commented on the CMC cars having wider front fenders to accomodate the Ford suspension and dished wheels.
Do other Ford based cars use Chevette suspension or Ford?
Is it the wheels that give the CMC cars a wider front stance, or is it the suspension?
It appears that ones ability to fit under the top is based on the height of the box under the seat. Have any or the taller members whittled that down?
Shoe size.
I just read a thread about footwell size. The author was writing about using an automatic because his feet were too big for three pedals in the available space. Does the pedal space vary with manufacturer?
They are all a little tight, but they do vary.
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)
To your question, B, “has anyone whittled down the seat box?” Yes. Check out the thread called “Another Project Reported” under My Projects. Montie has replied there to another tall new owner about how he (Montie) reshaped the box under his seats to gain some head and leg room. Photos pending.
As for the foot box, to gild Paul’s response a little: the front engine cars have smaller pedal areas, because the transmission hump takes up some of the space. I got my first close-up look at a BCW-Chevette car at Carlisle, and its foot box looked narrower than a real TD parked nearby. My car, a BCW VW is, by contrast, just a little wider in the foot box, because the transaxle is behind the seat.
edsnova40700.3306597222Hi B,
I have a BCW/ Chevette and I love it. The foot pedals are close but the real TD I owned had the same problem; no foot room. The tourque range of the Chevette is very good and fun to drive. I can drive all day in 4th at 50 with no problem. I had a fiberfab/VW and it is a good kit. You can still get body parts in Canada. VW parts are always available from parts houses. The BCW it is imposible to get body parts, but the thickness is very thick. So I feel I will never need body parts inless I have an accident. I bought another body kit over ebay as extras. The seats in my BCW are Chevette slide frames W/ Plywood and foam seat and I have no problem with head height, I am 6’2″. If you are looking for accuracy of reproduction, I have found that the BCW is the best, but they are hard to find. One thing that is fine about the BCW is that I can by chrome replacement parts from Moss catalog. Finally the weight distribution of a front rngine model feels exactly like a real TD. Plus the BCW fools a lot of TD owners because of all the TD parts it used. Hope this helps.
Greg
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