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Getting pretty dang close.
I finished the dash wiring and after after troubleshooting some original wiring issues everything is working as it should.
The upholsterer was supposed to show up Saturday to give me an estimate and possibly start but they had a family emergency so I’ll have to reschedule.
While I waited for them I did a lot of test fitting and built the “feet” for the bench and installed 1/2 of the hinge so I can just lift it up to get access to the battery (thanks Paul!). Forgot to take pics but I will add later.
I decided to put in the old seat and get some measurements and see how some other things would fit. I think I actually started drooling.
Once I realized the upholsterer was not going to show I started working on the hood storage. Of course, mine did not match the template in the manual but after measuring twice (+) and cutting out a cardboard template I was able to get the boards cut and in place.
Not a lot of storage but it will clearly hold a back pack and some beach chairs. It will get carpeted later on.I have to reschedule to get the interior done and then get it to the mechanic for a final tune.
Then close the deal on my insurance and head to the DMV!!!
Rocky,
I highly recommend fabricating something to cover the steering column. I built a cover out of plywood, painted it matte black, and it just sits in place. It’s not bolted in or anything like that.I drove for fifteen years with no protection there. But now when I have stuff in the trunk, I know nothing will bind on the steering column. That would have been bad!The structure on the driver’s side of the trunk. I can shoot a couple pics of the underside if you want. There’s just one leg positioned to fit between the column and the outer side of the trunk to hold it all in place. “
PMOSSBERG2013-01-21 16:16:32
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)
Rocky, I have the exposed steering column also. Paul is right! It is an accident waiting to happen. I was thinking of buying a section of 3″ galvanized stove pipe and installing it around the column. What do you think?
I’d probably use PVC, not stove pipe. But that would work. And I know this is obvious, but both ends of the pipe would need to be secured so the cure does not become the problem.
I still prefer my solution because everything lifts out easily if you need to get to the gas tank, master cylinder reservoir, airpump for horn and any other bits that are under the trunk floor.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)
London Roadster used almost the same design as Paul,however it is only two pieces of wood .It has two small angle brackets on the long side to attach it to the trunk floor and one to attach it to the firewall directly over the steering column. This also covers the stainless flex pipe that connects the fuel tank to the filler cap on the left side panel of the hood. I am not very fond of the outside filler as it is difficult to fill the tank without getting gas on the hood and fender.
Larry, I have the top (radiator) type filler. It is not much better, if any than the side filler. I have to almost dribble the gas in to keep it from overflowing due to all the bends in the pipe connecting it to the tank.
Not sure yet how that will work in my fiberfab. I have the tank and battery up front and I guess my compartment area would start forward of that and run into the grill shell. When I have that area completed I’ll see what is available. Anyone with a fiberfab kit have any photos of the trunk area like the ones shown here?
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackMy fuel pipe runs through the “radiator cap” too.
Other than modern pumps clicking off to quickly, I’ve never had a problem filling.
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, great suggestion. I never even gave a thought to something
binding up the steering column. I think the simple box is a great
solution.That “box” has only two sides, the top and side that you see in the pics of my trunk. Under the top, there is one leg for support. Lemme know if you want a pic of the underside.
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)
Here is the seat ready to install after upholstery is done.
I was going to follow Paul’s lead and do the feet in metal but couldn’t get exactly what I wanted right now and needed to get it to the upholsterer so I used treated plywood as an interim. I’ll swap it out for metal someday.
You can also see the hinges along the back. Did a test fit and it looks like it will go together nicely. The only thing I may do different is to not rivet the hinge into the tub. I may want/need to pull it out at some point in the future so I think I’ll do some locking nuts instead.
Rocky,
I sometimes wish I had used rivet nuts. But the reality is, since 1982, I’ve never had to remove the seat.As far as the seat supports, I drew a template for a local welder and he made them for me, practically overnight. He used scraps from other jobs, so he didn’t charge for the materials. The sides are the same template as the wood, then a couple 1″ by 3″ feet welded to to the bottom.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)
Almost there!!!
I dropped off the seat and old side panels at the upholsterer last week and hope to have them back by next week.
I followed the tow truck to the mechanic’s shop this morning so they can get the engine in perfect humming condition. Talk about separation anxiety!
Now I’m left with an empty garage for the first time in a year and a half. Maybe I can clean a few things up now…to my wife’s delight.
Here are a few pictures of my final activities before she left.
Final fit for measurements before handing it over to the upholsterer.
Here’s the “almost done – before” picture.
Trunk is done. Thanks Paul for the great pictures. They were very helpful!
One last touch for your trunk Rocky, throw on some edge trim on the edges of the side panels.
It’ll look mch better covered…and it’ll prevent any fiberglass splinters in your forearms when you are loading or unloading the trunk.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)
Well, I finally hit a wall I couldn’t climb by myself.
The transmission would not go into reverse (same problem I had earlier) and then started leaking severely. I called the guy who rebuilt it for me back in October and he agreed to take it back and figure out what was wrong.
Only this time I decided I just didn’t have it in me to pull the engine and tranny myself one more time so I had the car towed to his shop. So all work has stopped until he can squeeze me in and get it fixed. Which could be 2 weeks or more…DANG!
The upholstery will be done by the time I get the car back so I should be able to wrap the whole thing up pretty quickly and get on the road. But for now I’m cleaning the garage. Something my wife is very happy about.
I was supposed to have it ready for an art show reception my wife was having at the end of Feb but I’m not sure it will be ready. Oh well. What are you gonna do?
Got beer in the fridge?
Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"She’s back!!
After lots of time and money they finally figured
out what was wrong with the transmission. Apparently some one put part
of a Type 2 automatic transmission together with a type 3 transmission.
Even though they look like they are interchangeable, for some reason,
it will not shift past 1st gear in this configuration.So the mechanic happened to have a type 2 automatic transmission which he rebuilt and now everything is fine.
So as soon as I could I jumped back in and started installing the upholstery. Here are some pics of my progress.
Now I need to adjust the steering (too much play), rewire the tail lights, paint the wheels, and do lots and lots of buffing.
Now I can get insurance, register it and get it on the road! Woooohooo!!
Rocky! The car is looking great!
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)
She is looking good. Very nice.
Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"Looking great, especially the new interior. Are you going to color sand the car, or does it just need a good buff job? I’ve color sanded several cars, so don’t hesitate to ask for notes from experience.
I’m doing all my final checks and decided 4 inches of play in my steering wheel was a little too much to risk. So, after trying to tighten it up and having no success, I ordered a new box and put it in last night. Much better.
I had the generator pulley woodriff key sheer off and decided to order a new pulley, new woodriff key (OEM) and all new shims. That arrived last night so it’s going on tonight. I used a non-OEM woodriff and now I regret it.
Finally, got my insurance paperwork in hand and have an appointment at the DMV tomorrow morning. So if all goes well, I will legally be on the road Friday afternoon!
I plan on taking short trips around the neighborhood at first and then double/triple checking everything before I risk getting on some main drag.
I’ll have a video to post soon.
I cannot thank everyone on this forum enough for all the help and support you have given over the past year and a half. I truly could not have done it without you. Thank you!!
Awesome!
This is great news Rocky!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)
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