So my parts came in–new springs all-round, new rear shoes–and I pulled off the front wheels to see what was what.Passenger side adjuster was broken.There’s this little sheet metal springy thing that lays over the star wheels, apparently to keep them from turning on their own once you adjust them?Yeah, that thing. It was broken off. I found it…[Read more]

Motor was from a Volvo P-1800. It was called the B-18b and it had twin SUs like the xpag, but made 100 horsepower stock and there was a lot more in it. Plus you could get an overdrive transmission. Very smart and very common early ’60s swap to liven up by-then obsolete TDs, though it’s not much seen today–and it makes the MG purists crazy with contempt.

Looking good. 

Buttoned down in Baltimore. Plants are mostly in the screen porch. Pulled up a pool-sized tarp I was using to kill everything growing on our backyard hill, so it wouldn’t blow away. Brought in the gas grills.Got the boat battery on trickle charge in case I need it for the sump pump backup. With the daily drivers and Bridget that’ll make five…[Read more]

Wheels look to be Nissan 4-bolt 15 x 6. I bought one from a junk yard last year to think about it, and it looks just about like those. Pretty close to a TD wheel, eh?

“I’m pretty confident that they’ll be attached to the
actual metal/steel portion of the chassis….not into fiberglass”Yes. That seems reasonable.

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I got my tires at a local shop. Had three bid the job and ended up paying about $380, if memory serves, to get 4 new ones mounted, balanced, out the door. Yeah, pretty expensive but that’s that for 5 years or so–not much chance of wearing them out.I just did the carpets on my car using a $100 roll of “marine” carpet from Home Despot. Had to…[Read more]

Good on ya, Allen. Except for the ‘Skins touchdown part.

Mine came with a nice-fitting, pretty new top. I could track down the PO & ask where he had it done. Might even be able to get a pattern for it if you need, though not sure how that’s done without giving up the top to the top shop. I’ve heard it said that boat top makers can do the job.

Go Rocky!

Hey, Donna, welcome to the club!So you bought a VW-based car with no wheels? If that’s the case, Cip1 does have a fair selection. But there are many others. Cheapest might be a junk yard or your local craigslist, where steel wheels of all kinds can usually be had for $5-$10 each. You wire brush off the rust & hit ’em with some Krylon and they…[Read more]

Glad that’s settled, Buzz. A year is way to f’in long for that. Jeez.

That is indeed a BCW. I can’t say they’re any better than other kits, but I do like mine. 

Another wheel option:These wheels, painted (not chrome) are at Cip1 for $50 each plus shipping. On that site they try to sell a center cap system that shows the lug bolts and is nothing like a TD hub cap. But with the smoovies–or maybe that trick TD cap system . . . . looks like you’re getting away from an obvious V-dub look and into something…[Read more]

Re insurance: when I called Hagerty (I think it was–could’ve been another company) they told me they wouldn’t put insurance on the car unless I told them the value was at least $10,000. I said I’d just got the car for $3,500 and, even assuming I’m a crackin’ negotiator & a truly savvy buyer, $5,000 would still be pushing it. The agent was pretty…[Read more]

That $4,000 one with the new engine could be a deal, depending on who made the motor & how honest the seller is.

Love the Minnesota accent.

On car stuff I find that I work at about one third the speed of a pro, and have to re-do it about half the time. I happen to be more profligate with my time than with my money, of which I don’t have much. I also like the “learning experience.” The second time I do the job it goes much faster.

I hope you can settle this out soon, Paul. 

Well, Cory has proven to have a British accent. . . .