It’s a kit car. Insurance is going to be $100 to $300, but probably with limited driving (no driving to work, etc.) Check the forum; there’s a lot to know about the difference between “agreed value” and “stated value.”

I was hoping for the TD crowd only on this one–just for effect. But if anyone down your way–Wolfgang’s almost done right? Cory? Bruce?–wanted to crash this party I’d sure love the company.Right now we’re looking at three cars: me, Wobby(!!) and Greg, who lives almost there. You’d make four, and a couple of speedsters would be a hoot. I know…[Read more]

How did I know about the brakes? Experience, sir! I paid $3500 for Bridget about two years ago. Still working on the brakes. If I had it to start over I’d do the whole job all at once–replace everything from the master cylinder to the linings (maybe not the drums though). Old cars, even when not driven (actually, especially when not driven) are…[Read more]

Ed,

I hope to be there – you inviting any of the speedster folks or making it a TD
only event?

Never compared one of our floors to the original?Here ya go then.

Hey, Paul, I spelled it right, anyway.I was thinking of the “amateur” part of the definition. You might recall my hilarious foray into frame head repair last winter. Real shop guys’ll look at that and bury their heads in their hands.

The motor in the pic is definitely not that MiGi.$2500, tops.A good running example is $3,500 to $4,500. So he’s priced on the high side for a car with few or no issues. This TD needs work. She will need engine work, maybe trans, brakes for sure. Tires, interior love, some re-building (windshield, etc.)Probably electrical and probably…[Read more]

I did a terrible thing to mine and cut a rectangular hole in the carpet and padding into which I recessed an original MG TD rubber footwell.Perfect detail for the true TD fan. Looks absolutely authentic and even has the MG crest. Probably not real practical though.

My old speedo was marked that way–Old Classic Instruments jobby that went to about 85mph.You could bend the mount bracket too.PS: To replace the old speedo, which read 20 percent slow, I ended up grabbing a 72 Bug speedo on ebay for about $45. The size of these–about 4 3/4 inches, is much closer to the original TD size than the ones our kits…[Read more]

The TD kits are now rare, compared to the Speedsters and Cobras especially. When I cruise the local circuit there’s usually at least 5 Cobras on the lot. There’s never been another TD. Bridget gets a lot of admiring looks and I’ve yet to have anyone diss her–not within my earshot, anyway. Cheap? You becha! Probably one of the five or 10 least…[Read more]

Great article. I love it when the writer shows what real work looks like, and the subject of the story doesn’t sugar-coat it. Things really do take near forever–and that’s when a pro who knows what he’s doing is involved. You put a dilettante like me on the job & no telling how long it will take or what it will look like when it’s done.

Quite a few of the Speedster guys can’t tell a 3/8 socket wrench from a ball peen hammer. And a fair number of them are proud of this fact. They “buy the best” from Intermeccanica or some other builder and get a fully-assembled, and often well-sorted, brand new car from the mfg. Plus dealer-like maintenance–to the degree that’s possible given…[Read more]

This is interesting stuff, Paul. Seems like part of the “fun” of the replicar hobby is keeping tabs on the manufacturers, their bankruptcies and other foibles. Tough business, looks like. Reminds me of the night club trade though, in that the same names of owners often stay around much longer than their trade or corporate names.

Well cared-for front engine car, 4 speed… $6500 doesn’t look crazy to me. Little more than my budget, but I’m cheap. Someone ought to grab that car. Start with an offer of $4800 and see if he’ll come down to $5500. Just my 2 cents.

An engine will generate more heat at a given RPM if you put a greater load on it. You get a greater load when you go faster, as with an overdrive transmission. That’s why there is a relationship between RPM and transaxle and cooling.So while it’s true that the engine doesn’t know how fast it’s going, it’s not true that your potential speed is…[Read more]

Tried the rear adjusters. Seems like they were Ok to start with. Drove a bit and didn’t quite get the stickiness I had, but don’t feel like it’s fixed. Try the front adjusters later…

you buggin’!

Ordered the parts. I will try your method tomorrow, and thanks, Peter. If it works I’ll drive her like that at least until the new springs come in.The rears are probably due. Like I said, I’ve had the car near two years now and have no idea when those rear drums were off last. So we’ll see.

Black, cut pile, no edge binding.I bought a roll of marine carpet for the purpose and it’s looking pretty decent so fat.

Good questions, all, Peter.And confession: I ain’t done the rears yet. Didn’t have the giant socket. Got it now. Maybe I’ll start there.To your question: I do leave the e-grake on when it’s parked. I think the cables are set nice–since I just did that when I moved the handle. But my theories about how things work are often proved wrong.I’ll let…[Read more]