[Neil J Flaherty]

Hi Tom,  I have a BCW with Chevette power.  Have owned the car for about 10 years.  It’s been generally great.  When I learn how to add a picture to this site I’ll get one off to you, and everyone else.  Most of the repairs I’ve encountered have been typical “old” U.S. type issues. recently had water pump replaced.  Nice part is, the parts are often available.  most of work I’ve done has been cosmetic.  As I understand it the cars were built in Northwestern PA.  Not many were built, before the gent who fabricated them died.  His family owned the injection molding plastics business, and were not interested in continuing to manufacture these little gems.  I believe the body parts are close if not interchangeable with the original metal.  As I understand it a short run(maybe 50 or so) were built on consignment for Schewepps  Tonic water as an advertising promotion, given away at super markets as raffle items.  I think, parked out front with the seat filled with bottles of schwepps.  Anyhow, my car was one of these.  I have the dash plaque which says special schwepps edition of a BCW MG Replca.  I’ll try to ramp up on the photo thing. We’ll be in touch.  Neil Flaherty, Gilford, NH  AKA:  profile57

 

[Neil J Flaherty]

Thanks Ed for the Link.  Love the hysterical stuff, probably cause I wasn’t old then…  N

[Neil J Flaherty]

Ed,  Thanks to you, Paul, and anyone else who has taken the time to keep the site operational.  Your efforts are greatly appreciated!  Things seem to be back to “normal”, at least on my end.  When one doesn’t know what the issue is, of course, your imagination can run away with you.  I’m thinking the site will go away.  Yikes!  Thanks to all who keep us cookin’

                   Neil

[Neil J Flaherty]

just for the record guys, my link on my favorites gave me some other mg forum (I think…).  Anyhow, had to access our site by using home page (MSN) search engine with MGTDreplica forum entered.  Haven’t been on for for a couple of days, so I guess I missed all the fun.  First thoughts were the IRS had shut us down or something…  Thanks for Paul, or whoever got it back up and running.  Not unusual for me to go on a couple of times a day, so was anticipating early stages of withdrawl. Site has become part of daily habits, right along with fiber supplements.

             Neil

 

[Neil J Flaherty]

Hey Guys,  For the forever sharp steering wheels, go to:  http://www.fssteeringwheels.com  and you’ll find this steering wheel in 14″ and 15″ size, (also available without rivets if one prefers…) SKU for 14″ with rivets is 2001.  Interesting part is the list price there is $79.95.  The dish is listed as approximately 2″.  Good Luck.  Neil

[Neil J Flaherty]

Royal  What was your source for powder?  I’m guessing that the Craftsman powdercoating gun is an in stock type item at the sears store, correct?   Thanks Neil 

[Neil J Flaherty]

Hey guys,  tomorrow is definately gonna be aww-summ!  Unfortunately, my bride is at a conference in Glens Falls NY, but I’ve found a friend to go on our Fall Foliage Dinner Tour here in NH.  Colors are not quite peak (guess that means we get a peek… hmm).  The club is the British Cars of NH.  Can you believe it, we were actually invited to join about 4 years ago.  Great group! (about 60 members) Absolutely perfect top-less weather.  Enjoy!  Neil Flaherty 85 BCW Chevette Power (My grandson says it’s a GM-MG)

[Neil J Flaherty]

Looks to me like just another sterling example of how our “trusted” lawmakers have figured out one more way they can squeeze a few more bucks out of those of us who actually work for a living; so they can use it to convince us to continue to vote for them… and their free haircuts, retirement programs. chauffeur service, vacations (whoops, I meant fact finding missions…)

[Neil J Flaherty]

Greg,  Years ago, I had a VW repair business.  Although the shop manual calls for engine removal to replace that bushing which is pressed into the case, it can be removed easily by using a bottoming tap.  Unfortunatly I don’t recall the size, but tomorrow I will look through my tools and see if I can find it.  In any case, it obviously is just a little bit larger than the shaft on the starter.  If you had either another starter, or another bushing.  (back in the day, my recollection was that the bushing was less than a buck, probably 2 or 3 today)  Hope this helps.  You do have to pull the starter by the way. FYI when the bushing is worn it allows the armiture of the starter to be mis-aligned.  When it’s hot the alignment is even worse.   Neil F. 

[Neil J Flaherty]

greg

   I used some hard plastic stuff that I think most auto/boat upholstery places use.  It may be as thin as 1/16 in.  In any case very strong, but easy to bend, and easy to cut with heavy duty scissors.  I think the uphostery guys use it when they do doors and side panels.  Instead of trying to cover steering column, I just ran it up to the column, shaped it to fit, and used some of the hardware on the column to secure it.  Then used some small “L” shaped brackets from the hardware store to do the front edge at the bottom of the dash.  Did the same with a small piece on left of column, which gives me access to my fuse panel.  Last step was go to a place like Michaels craft store and get some flocking (not a spelling error…) spray paint.  Good Luck!   Neil  BCW

[Neil J Flaherty]

Thanks Paul, Ed & Bill for help and response!  Sent message to Bill to see what’s up with his lights as my next move.  I’ll also call MG Magic tomorrow, but I think I spoke to them before, and I think he told me they only offered the version with the SAE plastic lens.  We’ll see…  Ed the guy with the interesting inventory is UK.  I suppose the shipping might be an issue.  Anyhow I’ll wait and see what happens with Bill.  I’m also looking for a Radiator Cap.  Thanks again for the Heads-Up.  Neil

[Neil J Flaherty]

Can someone help?  Clicked on links above, and get little starry deal with exclamation point in it.  What’s up with that?  Have been on the site for a couple of years,  Not seen this before…

 

 

Thanks Neil Flaherty

[Neil J Flaherty]

Ricardo,  Couldn’t tell from your post what your vehicle is, but if it’s VW powered, your problem could be the pilot bushing for your starter motor.  This little “gremlin” is a bronze bushing pressed into the transmission case.  When all things are perfect obviously no problem, but the little rascals wear out in time.  When they are worn the armature of the starter motor is just enough off center to diminish the hp of the starter so that when conditions are less than optimum she won’t “humm”.

VW service manual calls for engine removal, but the correct size “bottoming” tap will run right in and pop that puppy right out slick as a whistle.  My recolection was that it was around 15mm, but you’ll have to “…spearamint”. Easier than an engine R & R anyhow.  An excellent source for VW parts is Mid America Motorworks at http://www.mamotorworks.com . If it’s VW they have it. Good luck.  Neil Flaherty, Gilford, NH 

[Neil J Flaherty]

interested in the wheels,  Do you know what the source is?

Thanks

[Neil J Flaherty]

To Larry Murphy, Mark Hendricson, Paul Mossberg

I have a BCW/front engine chevette powered TD rep.  I made an attempt to remove the BCW emblem from the grille shell.  I drilled a clearance hole through the fiberglass behind the emblem, thinking there would be a nut I could access there, but it doesn’t look like it.  Do you have to remove the entire grille shell?  Any help or suggestions?  Thanks for looking.  I thought all you fellows were BCW owners or former owners.  Thanks again.  Neil in NH

[Neil J Flaherty]

Edsnova

Noticed on your photos of dash that you had chrome trim around the center dash cluster insert.  I think I used the same chrome trim on mine, but not happy with results on mine.  I have the same shape as the original, made from from some thin guage plastic, with pleather (vinyl) over-lay.  my corners are: some wrinkled, some pop out,and some I cut to fit.  I’m willing to do over.  Any suggestions greatly accepted.    Thanks Neil in NH (sun for the first time in 40 days)

 

[Neil J Flaherty]

Ed

Thanks for the heads up on the Chicane Videos.  Just makes you wish you’d been there.  What’s really depressing was knowing that I lived about 15 miles from Beverly Airport (Ma) in the late fifties, and lived in the Los Angeles are in the mid 60s. Too busy thinking about going to the drag strip. hmm…  Thanks again.    Neil Flaherty

[Neil J Flaherty]

edsnova wrote:

The rear bumper on my BCW VW has a hole in the middle. There’s a bolt through it into a bracket.

Looks like the originals have a center hole too.

Just FYI

[Neil J Flaherty]

Hey Folks

Just a quick note with the exception.  All you heros driving your new found toys home in the snow, rain, or with siezed engines.  Well, I saw my first MG in 1953.  I’ve never been the same since.  Dr. Cass gave me a ride around the block and I was done!  Never managed to own one though.  Well in 1985, I saw the BCW replica, which seems to be the most dimensionally correct of most of the replicas.  Well I’ve been looking, on and off since then for a BCW.  About two years ago, probably about this time of night, I google searched MG Replicas, and low and behold, found one on Craigs List, in Virginia.  I called the guy next morning, and bought it site unseen.  This was about the time gas was 4 bucks a gallon!  It must be 6 or 7 hundred miles from here to Virginia!  This is going to cost me a small fortune to truck down there from NH, and haul the thing back.  I’m thinking I must have had a major stupidity spasm.  I actually found a trucker who agreed to deliver it for 500 bucks, and the seller agreed to split the cost with me…  The guy arrives 4 or 5 days later, and says you drive it off, I don’t touch them Norm (the previous owner) drove it on the flat bed.  Started right up, needed a few minors, but passed inspection.  I’ve driven her to work frequently (about 30 miles).  Love putting the winshield down.  It’s been a long 53 years, but worth the trip!  We’ll get some pictures as soon as we figure out how..

Neil Flaherty,  Gilford NH

[Neil J Flaherty]

 

  Ed & RS   I have a BCW, 1985 with Chevette front engine configuration.  serial number just like yours RS, except the L3G  part is L3F  and the last three digits are 272.  There is also a number on my title   which is not in a “field’, and it says original  653  065305.  Tomorrow I’ll do a little more research on the vehicle.  My VIN is attached to the cowl just behind windshield with pop-rivets and an embosed strip.    Neil Flaherty, Gilford, NH

[Neil J Flaherty]

Hi Dick

  I have a BCW “Schwepes Special”, which I purchased last Year from a fellow in Virginia.  The vehicle is in fair condition.  Appears to have been neglected for some extended period of time, i.e. left out in the yard…  Floor boards badly rusted, upholstery cracked, dash weathered, small dents in bumpers, and the usual oily deposition on engine associated with 25 years of just being used.  After a tune-up the vehicle runs great!  new shocks, new tires, new floor, new carpet,new door hinges on drivers door, new upholstery(and new cushions) she’s gradually coming back to life.  I would have to agree with you on the poor quality of build, but we’re working on that…  I looked at another chevette based BCW a couple of years ago which was even rougher for more money( looked like the previous owner used it for a daily driver — 60K plus miles).  If you google Chevette Forum you will find a very active site with many chevette participants.  I think the fellow who operates the site’s name is Rick Drake, Everett, Wa   800 247 2954, and has a used and new parts business.  I’ve recieved responses sometimes in minutes after inquiry.

  We’re here in NH, and patiently waiting for warmer weather.   Neil Flaherty 

[Neil J Flaherty]

James

Are your wheels real wires, or basket types.  They look pretty nice!  If they’re the real thing, could you tell me what the manufacturer is, and where to get them?   Thanks Neil Flaherty, Gilford, NH  BCW  TD Replica

[Neil J Flaherty]

Paul

Thanks for the reply on the steering wheel.  I guess I hadn’t scrolled down far enought to see it.  Sorry for the confusion.   Neil

[Neil J Flaherty]

Geoff

Thought I sent a message earlier, but guess it didn’t get through…

Was curious as to what the manufacturer on your steering wheel was, and or where one might be purchased.

Neil Flaherty, Gilford, NH,  BCW TD Replica    Thanks

[Neil J Flaherty]

Geoff

  Do you have nay info on the steering wheel in your car?  Be interested, if you could help.  I have a British Coach works TD, and would like to change the steering wheel.  Thanks Neil Flaherty

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