Didn’t get out yesterday, because while the weather was great my bad back wasn’t. A good night’s sleep and some TLC from my wife made all the difference today, though, so I fired up Percy and hit the back roads. The official reason was to mail some bills, but I told Kathy that if the Lafer was running good I might wander a bit. It was, so I did.…[Read more]

Where in Texas are you, Robert? I believe we had someone from San Antonio on the forum a few weeks back, looking for a TD replica. If he hasn’t found one yet, you might be able to get together.In any case, best of luck.

Gorgeous dash layout! I may need to install a drool shield on my keyboard before looking at any more photos, though.

Finding this Lafer was pure luck. I’d never even heard of them, but the owner’s description over the phone was enough to lure me north of Houston to a barn outside Montgomery, Texas. After I’d checked it out and taken it for a drive and we’d agreed on a price and delivery, that’s when he mentioned the glass windows. He said he’d put them on once…[Read more]

That’s where I got some bulbs for the stock VDO gauges in my Lafer. Just took the old one in and they pulled the replacement for me. Not expensive. 

I like the look of that wood-rim Grant wheel, but there are two problems: I can’t afford it, and my hub has six bolts.
 

I didn’t even know that was an option. Mine are completely manual, and I’d be happy just finding a source for new rubber bits and vent-window channels.

I’d most likely forget which side of the road to drive on and end up needing an MD more than a TD.

What I can see looks good, John. Good luck!

I’m sorry, but for 60 grand I could buy and fix up a whole FLEET of TD replicas, rent a garage to store them in, and have enough left over to replace the tailgate and back bumper on my 2000 Ranger XLT.
Or, take my wife to Europe for a few weeks.

Well, it’s all moot to me anyway. Couldn’t afford one even if they were street legal here. 

Is the TD2000 still being made? I read somewhere that the original company in Australia was bought out by a Malaysian outfit, but haven’t seen anything since. 

Very nice read, and great photos. This sentence in the OP’s reply to a comment about the wheels sort of jumped out at me:

Somewhere on our forum I saw a thread about modding hupcaps, but don’t…[Read more]

Hey, I like Ed’s solution — especially with the TD trim. Very slick!

Moss Motors offers this (Part No. 116-115) for about $80:

RodWorx.com has several, including this (#38048) for $15:

Rodworx also has a plate frame (#37947) for about $45:
 
I’ve never dealt with Rodworx, so can’t vouch for them.
 

I found some photos of the Lafer here:
http://www.classicstreet.com/1952_mgtd_replica_mp_lefer.htmh ttp://
No top in evidence, but there is a frame, and the front bumper looks like it’s had a rough encounter with something. Body and interior appear OK, though, and it seems to have all its windows. Lower price on the original posting, but maybe…[Read more]

I’ll second what Paul said, although along with the “knowledgeable” owners you’ll also encounter some (I’m raising my hand) who hardly know which end of a wrench to hold. We are friendly, though! So crank up your engine, get it in gear and join the fun!

I have the same problem with the heat lever on my Lafer, Ed. And my back is too old and stiff for me to be reaching down there every five or ten minutes to reopen it. When my grandson is with me, I can delegate that duty to him, although he’d rather sit up and look cool for the girls.

Acorns would be a nuisance, but even worse is feral tomcats spraying your seats, doors and dashboard. That happened to me, but fortunately before I had the interior reupholstered.   Now I’m very careful to keep both garage doors shut tight if my Lafer is parked inside — especially in what passes for winter down here.

That’s the way the trim shop installed my new door panels. The retainers are available at Lowe’s, and probably Home Depot, Ace and Tru-Value. Not expensive. It’s a very finished look (and the panels can easily be popped out and re-installed, if necessary).