some knowledge

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  • #232269
    Hamish Donaldson
    Participant

    @hamish

    Good day. A friend of mine recently bought a “1956” MG-TD kit car on a

    1974 Volkswagen chassis. There is no findable medallion for the maker. She

    believes she needs a new top. “Topsonline” seem to be the only makers I am

    able to find. I am worried in ordering a specific top, as there were two

    different TDs listed and none in 1956. Are there some critical measurements

    we need to make to get the correct top. Thank you for your time and

    information. Have a nice evening.

    #236973
    Paul Mossberg
    Keymaster

    @pmossberg

    Hello Hamish,

    The tops on Topsonline are reproductions of tops for original MG-TDs. I beleive they will not work on your friend’s TD replica.

    You might try MG Magic in Florida, phone 954-680-2010.

    She might also try to have a top sewn locally. Any place that makes boat tops could probably handle the job. Some auto convertible top installers or interior restorers might also be able to sew a top for you.

    For that it’s worth, as you learned on topsonline there’s no such thing as a 56 TD. MG made the TD from 1950 to 1953.

    Good luck.

    Paul Mossberg
    Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
    2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

    If 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)

    #236974
    Hamish Donaldson
    Participant

    @hamish

    Thank you for another lead. Are the kit car tops that far off the originals?

    She researched locally and received estimates of $800-$1000 Cdn.

    Topsonline was $230 USD. That is a big difference.

    I believe the seller has a drawing with measurements. I will get it and do

    some more research.

    I am told the kit car was from FL. Would the maker still be known, and is

    there a way to contact them? They probably have disappeared.

    Have a nice day.

    #236975
    Paul Mossberg
    Keymaster

    @pmossberg

    Hamish,

    It’s not just measurements that differ between kits and original TD roofs.

    There are many other significant differences between original tops and most (if not all) reproductions.

    For starters, original side curtains are metal framed, with sliding hard plastic windows. I’ve never seen a true reproduction on a kit. The kit side curtains are typicallly all vinly (sides and wondows) and normally zip to the roof and snap to the body .

    The original roof attaches to the frame and windshield frame in a different manner than any kit I’ve ever seen.

    The roof frame itself is also much different.

    There were several Florida based manaufacturers over the years. I believe none of them are in business today.

    Paul Mossberg
    Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
    2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

    If 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)

    #236976
    Paul Mossberg
    Keymaster

    @pmossberg

    I meant to add….

    Post a couple pictures of the car. I’m sure club members will be able to identify it.

    Is there an id plate…either near the windshield base or on the firewall?

    Paul Mossberg
    Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
    2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

    If 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)

    #236977
    Hamish Donaldson
    Participant

    @hamish

    Thanks. I will go and have a look at the car and compare it with what you

    wrote about differences. I am told there is no plate.

    I have uploaded the three pictures I have to my ISP. I left them unlocked in

    case the viewing size is too small and you would like to download them. The

    link is http://photoshare.shaw.ca/gallery/hamishd/

    I appreciate your info and will keep you up to date.

    Have a nice day.

    #236978
    Paul Weatherholt
    Participant

    @paul

    Hello Hamish, Looks a lot like my 1952 I just picked up just a litle different engine cover but looks like a sweet ride..the folks at MG Magic as stated before would be able to tell…Good luck and enjoy.

    #236979
    Paul Weatherholt
    Participant

    @paul

    PMOSSBERG, I have a Duches as well, Question, the rod that goes from the brake pedal to the Master Cylniod seems not to be long enough ( or fully tighten) is there a fix ???

    Thanks

    #236980
    Keith True
    Participant

    @keith-true

    Hamish,open the hood and look on the passengers side firewall.There may be an emblem embossed there.If there is there will be a # molded in below it.Call MG Magic and tell them the # if you find it.If not,he can tell you what to look for to ID the car.If you do find the # he can tell you who bought the kit and on what date.His tops were $595.including the side curtains.I tried boat shops,trimmers,restoration shops,Nobody here would touch it for that.The quality is very good,Topsonline does not come anywhere near it.I have seen Topsonline products.They are for getting a used car out the door.I put one on a 95 Chrysler convert for a customer.He lost any savings he might have realized by the time we took it to a trimmer to get it to fit.

    #236981
    Hamish Donaldson
    Participant

    @hamish

    Thank you all for the help. Hopefully, this Sunday I will be able to see the

    car, and take some pictures. I will look for the emblem also. Is there any

    particular picture that would be of help, other than the emblem? I can post

    the pictures at the above site. They will be about 2.5MB each so may load or

    download slowly.

    I will post a note when they are uploaded.

    Thank you again for all the good information, and money saving

    information.

    Have a great weekend.

    #236982
    Keith True
    Participant

    @keith-true

    Hamish,I figured out how to access your pics after I posted.I am not at all familiar with your brand of body,I am sure others are though.It would be well worth your time to call Brad at MG Magic and describe the car to him.By the time you give him a couple of details he will spout the name and history of the builder.The top on that car in no way resembles an original TD top.Just how bad is it?What is the material?If it is still pliable enough they can be fixed.That IS something boat places will do.

    #236983
    Hamish Donaldson
    Participant

    @hamish

    I have put up some pictures I took today. I wanted you to have a look and

    possibly give me some guesses before I call MG Magic. I have been informed

    it is a 1976 engine. The seller bought it in Vancouver BC about 20 years ago.

    He bought it about one year after it was completed. It has a bit of a sag in

    the rear but I do not think that will be expensive to fix.

    Here is the link: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/

    2669212219-1177298714-68985/26692. If that is not good, another link

    is in a past note above.

    I hope you all had a nice motoring weekend.

    #236984
    Phil
    Participant

    @phil

    Just wondering where you are located?

    I am in the Vancouver area.

    Phil

    #236985
    Hamish Donaldson
    Participant

    @hamish

    The car was built in Vancouver according to the owner. I am in Winnipeg. I

    am told a very good top man has left the city and opened a shop in

    Nanaimo. If needed, I could probably get name and address.

    I have exchanged e-mails with Brad at MG Magic. They say the Daytona was

    not friendly with tops and would need to have it actually there to do work. I

    have found a couple of boating firms locally that would work on it in the off

    season. One upholstery place was found here and we will take the car there

    in May to let them have a look.

    Thank you all for the help. I will continue to stop by with info, plus or minus.

    #236986
    Hamish Donaldson
    Participant

    @hamish

    Well, things have changed. No money had changed hands and it was sold

    from under her. It was a good thing as there was a lot of rust underneath

    and needed a new rolling chassis. I was glad it went and she finally agreed it

    was going to be a money pit. Thank you all for the information.

    A tangent, web man please forgive. I found a 1934 Pace Racer kit car built

    on a 1964 Volkswagen chassis. It is in much better shape than the Daytona

    was. Has anyone come across this particular model, and prevailing prices?

    Thank you for any information. Have a great day. H.

    #236987
    Paul Mossberg
    Keymaster

    @pmossberg

    Hey Hamish,

    Post a picture or two. If no one here knows about the car, one of the kit car magazines has a columnist that focuses on vintage kits. By coincdence, I think his name is Harold Pace.

    I don’t have access to my magazines this week. But when I return, I’ll dig up the mag, check the name and send you an addresss.

    I’d bet with a photo or two, this guy can provie some info on the Pace Racer.

    Paul Mossberg
    Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
    2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

    If 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)

Viewing 16 posts - 1 through 16 (of 16 total)
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