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I’ve been off the road for more than a year, dealing with a particularly bothersome form of blood cancer. No cure, but manageable with Medicare, the right insurance, plenty of spare change, good doctors, and a wife who just won’t give up. Doing better now, only to be shocked on learning that Paul Mossberg is (a) no longer driving a TDr, and (b) that he sold his to someone here in Houston! Has the new owner joined the club? If so, I’d like to touch base. If not, point me in the right direction and I’ll try to bring him or her into the fold.
1981 Lafer TI
1600 cc Type 1 engineStep by step is what gets the job done. The fun begins with that last step — on the gas.
1981 Lafer TI
1600 cc Type 1 engineI was trolling through old posts when I came across one of yours about a BCW center dash pod, and wondered if you recall where you got the chrome “bling” that you trimmed it with.
1981 Lafer TI
1600 cc Type 1 engineLearning new tricks isn’t easy for an old dog like me, Stephen, but with your expert guidance I seem to be getting the hang of it. Thanks, more than I can say.
1981 Lafer TI
1600 cc Type 1 engineMy Dad went two rounds with colon cancer and survived it, so I’ve had one every three to five years since my mid-30s. Clean bill of health on the last two, so won’t have another until 2019 — if Houston traffic doesn’t kill me first. Worst part has always been the prep; you likely won’t even remember the procedure itself much past the doc telling you to count backwards from the number 10.
1981 Lafer TI
1600 cc Type 1 engineVERY impressive. If I were wearing a hat, I’d tip it to you.
1981 Lafer TI
1600 cc Type 1 engineI had the tank in my Lafer TI swapped out in 2007 for this 10-gallon JAZ circle track fuel cell:
Measures 25” L x 9” W x 12” H, foam-baffled
No problems at all, although I still haven’t gotten around to finding or installing a sending unit; just driving by the odometer.
More details at http://www.jegs.com/i/JAZ/547/200-010-01/10002/-1?CAWELAID=1710892628&CAGPSPN=pla&catargetid=230006180000514812&cadevice=c&gclid=COrZ_Iy4rr4CFe9r7AodTDYATA1981 Lafer TI
1600 cc Type 1 engineMy first new car (actually, one of the few new cars I’ve ever bought) was a 1974 Pinto. I’ll give you a moment to get all the old jokes out of your system. OK, then. Drove that thing for 11 years, doing nothing to it beyond routine maintenance and replacing the tires and battery a couple of times. It ran great, was comfortable, economical for its time, and had a hatchback that served my wife and me well during the early years of our marriage. The design flaw that got it so much bad press involved the fuel-filler neck, and the factory-covered fix involved a one-hour trip to the dealer. I shouldn’t have gotten rid of it, but as the family grew there came a time when two small cars (my daily driver was a ’71 VW Beetle) weren’t enough. But for a year or so there, I really did consider using that Pinto as a donor to build a Blakely Bearcat, the Bernardi’s slightly more austere sibling. Drove one that I came across near my folks’ house, thanks to a willing owner, and really liked it. Just couldn’t make the numbers work, or convince myself that I had the skill, tools or expertise to pull off the build. Ah, well. Still nice to look at.
1981 Lafer TI
1600 cc Type 1 engineThat’s a beautiful ride you have. Sorry to hear that you’re parting with it. I think there’s a place here at TDReplica.com where you can post vehicles for sale, but Craiglist — if you’re careful — can work as well. I bought my Lafer from a collector who placed an ad on it here in Houston. Good luck.
1981 Lafer TI
1600 cc Type 1 engineJust FYI: This is the MP version, which unlike my TI looks more like the MG-TD. The main difference is the doors, which are hinged at the front edge instead of being mounted “suicide” style. The body is a single piece, with the hood, doors, mock grille shell and rear engine deck lid separate. Very thick fiberglass construction, extremely sturdy. Hoping it finds a good home, and that the buyer connects with us on the forum.
1981 Lafer TI
1600 cc Type 1 engineI see the photo. Can’t believe it. And wouldn’t want to share the road with it.
1981 Lafer TI
1600 cc Type 1 engineI’ve found Ross Marshall’s website. No price info, and I can’t see where his plant is, but except for the steering wheel and the height of the folded top, it really is beautiful: http://us.mgtdclassic.com/
1981 Lafer TI
1600 cc Type 1 engineI see safety inspections as a good thing myself. We put too much time and effort into our cars to end up with a collection of crumpled fiberglass and a major hospital bill — or worse (
) — because some other driver couldn’t be bothered to make sure his brakes or steering were working right. 1981 Lafer TI
1600 cc Type 1 engineYearly safety inspections, but no emissions check. Cost is $7. Registration is also annual, but can be done by mail. Cost (for the Lafer) is $71.75.
1981 Lafer TI
1600 cc Type 1 engineWell now, Ed, you’ve gone and exceeded my level of mechanical expertise there. Is the U-clamp to shorten a clutch cable?
1981 Lafer TI
1600 cc Type 1 engineWe’ve had a couple weeks of mild and sunny weather here in Houston, but my Lafer is stuck in the shop awaiting a new clutch cable. My mechanic couldn’t find one to fit, so ordered a shortening kit which will won’t be here for another week or so. Frustrating, to say the least.
1981 Lafer TI
1600 cc Type 1 engineCan’t say I’ve ever parked my Lafer in Hollywood, but I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve returned to it while out and about and found people standing around and feasting their eyes. Once, after stopping at Lowe’s for a plumbing part, I came out and encountered two Brazilian women who knew what the car was. One smilingly asked if I’d marry her. When I held up my left hand with the wedding ring, she said, “Oh, too bad. I’d have asked for the car when we divorced.”
1981 Lafer TI
1600 cc Type 1 engineNice to see a center brake light, although a loaded luggage rack would block it from view. Sorry to hear about the electrical problems. They can be a bear to track down and remedy. Best of luck, though, and congratulations on joining our wacky, happy throng.
1981 Lafer TI
1600 cc Type 1 engineThanks, guys. It’s all pretty academic at this point, not to mention lower on my “love to” list than refinishing the dash and refurbishing the gauges. Just had to replace the gearbox, which ate a fairly large hole in my hobby budget. Still, I do like those wide whitewalls and think a set of 15-inchers would fill the wheel wells a bit better.
1981 Lafer TI
1600 cc Type 1 engineBeautiful look, John. My Lafer came with 14-inch wheels, which apparently were an option for some reason unknown and inexplicable. I’d love to swap them out for some like yours, but it would also entail finding a lookalike 14-inch wheel for the mock covered “spare” at the rear — and then finding someone to cut it in half to replace the one that’s there now.
1981 Lafer TI
1600 cc Type 1 engineReally fine job, Stephan. The straps and that vintage case are an especially nice touch.
1981 Lafer TI
1600 cc Type 1 engineReally nice little video, Bob. Made me wish we could’ve seen more of the trip.
1981 Lafer TI
1600 cc Type 1 engine
