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This did happen to me! Two years ago, I went to a cruise in. The lady marshaling the cars, a friend of mine, parked me next to a black Enzo Ferrari. Now that is one cool, not to mention expensive car. The owner obviously didn’t like being next to a kit car, so I parked as far away as I could. I joined the guys admiring the Enzo, but the owner was a total dufus, a dentist with a big check book. I doubt that he could find the oil filler cap. A lot of the wives, girl friends, significant others, etc., all bored silly, gathered around my TDr. I heard a lot of “What a cute little car.” About this time a professional photographer with a model in a mini skirt comes shashaying over to the TDr. Talk about legs! I introduced myself and offered the TDr as a prop for his model. She climbed in and, voila, a very similar shot. The photog said he would send me a copy.
Well, you can guess which car was now the center of attention and who really had his nose bent out of shape. Fast forward to the next cruise in. This time my friend parks me with all the Cobra replicas. I asked her if someone had complained. She said, “oh, yeah.”
I never did get that photo.
The brakes have always had a long pedal throw that goes about half way down before engaging. From that point on, the brakes work fine. I’ve worked the problem, talked to lots of folks, but no luck. A friend mentioned going disks all around, and as I just put Dayton wire knock offs on, am thinking about it.
I think the wheels came off a 1976 Chevette, the donor car for my engine, transmission, rear end, and running gear. Quite a few cars use the 4x100mm lug bolt pattern.
Hey, I’ve got five 14×6, four lug x100mm pattern, powder coated wheels, with 175×70 Bridgestone tires (less than 3000 miles). Free to anyone who can use them and will pick up.
I talked to a trailer dealership and Jerry B., a fellow TDr owner and one savvy dude. Both said don’t do it. Oh, well. It was a fun idea.
California’s legislature actually did something right when it passed SB100 (Senate Bill). It allows 500 cars a year to be registered as specialty built, such as hot rods and kit cars, that are exempt from safety and emission requirements. My 52 TDr BCW is registered as a 1961. I’m told that it added $1000 to the value. Anyway, I hope so. It was a hassle getting it, but worth it.
I did it by being incredibly stupid. I saw a similar set on an MGB and called Dayton Wire Wheels to find out how much. In a weak moment, I ordered a set and one thing led to another. Then I found the MG logo on Abington Spares and ordered it for the spare tire. All I had to do was drill a hole in the spinner cap and fabricate a bracket. The adapter hubs bolted right on the old lugs, although I did have to buy smaller nuts. Then I made a quick trip to a local tire store that had a sale going.
I rationalize the cost by telling myself I will never sell the car, and I do love the look.
One last thing. After installing the wheels, the ride was much rougher, so I reduced the air pressure to 24 pounds. Problem solvedI had one of Montie’s moments a few years ago at a cruise in. The lady marshaling the cars told me to park next to a black Enzo Ferrari, one awesome, not mention expensive car. The dufus driving it might have been able to find the spare tire. I joined a group of admiring guys, while their wife’s, SOs, and GFs, checked out my BCW TDr. A professional photographer, with a DDG model in a mini skirt headed for the MG. Naturally, I detached myself from the Ferrari and told the photog that said model could sit in the car. She did, with one leg extended out the door. God bless suicide doors. He said he would send me a photo, but never did. By this time, the Ferrari is all but deserted. Ah, it was a great moment.
All this really helps. Thanks.
Drilling out the rear brake drums to a 4×4.5 bolt pattern should not be a problem, but I have disk brakes on the front. Can a machine shop handle that without braking the bank?Mike Hawthorne was wrongly blamed for the horrendous 1955 crash that killed 80 spectators. He was later exonerated but the rumors still persist.
My Prince of Darkness story. It was the late 1950’s, I was in college and had a 1952 MG TD. I lusted after a very pretty lass – lusting was about all we did in those days. She finally went to a dance with me, and we connected. As we drove back to the campus, I knew I was going to score – a good night kiss. Suddenly, the driving lights went out. It was a dark lane and I barely managed to get stopped without incident. She looked at me and said, “You could have at least run out of gas.”
No good night kiss, and she never went out with me again.
mrimd,
Sorry, but I sent it to Royal. I’ll ask him to send it on to you. You can send him a private message with your mailing address. It is a fun read.Holy Mackerel! Where did you find that gas cap and the connections? I’ve been looking for one, but have limited space to install. The base has to be 2 3/4″ x 3″.
