Tom Vilardi

  • Not sure that is a Chevette Engine.  Mine is “painfully” 1980’s stock and it looks significantly different. 

    The Pontiac T1600 (I think that is what it was called) was another variation of the GM Engine used in BCW Model 52’s – which I think were 99.9% identical to the Chevy Engine.  
    Were Ford engines used in MiGi’s too?

    Tom
  • Just read we’ll be migrating to a new forum, but here are some of my add-ons to Edsnova’s BCW “VW-Based-home-built” features list from a Front-Engined GM/Chevette Factory Built perspective.

    99.9% of Ed’s information is the same but there are some slight differences.
    Seats on the front engined cars (FE) are adjustable on the bottoms – probably with…

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  • Thanks for the dimension comparison – that’s what I was looking for.  I knew the TD hood was shorter by at least two inches from the TDr because I have an original as a comparison. 

    I’ll have to check my BCW rear fenders against original photos.  
    Are the MGA wires 15 inch or 14 inch?  Are you able to run tubeless radials on them?  
    Personally I woul…

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  • Newkitman,  

    Check out Ebay too.  
    I got a new (old/original) pair of wing (fender) mirrors and some other bits and bobs for around $20. 
    I think the fender mirrors are almost useless and seemed to be more of an American import option for the tin-TD’s.
    Tom 
  • Newkitman,  

    The Classic Gauge Volt meter is VERY simple to add.  In my case I removed the low voltage light and hooked it up with the same wires.  
    Works like a charm and matches the other (now 35 year old) Gas and Water Gauge.
    Tom    
  • Thanks Ed, Makes sense that they would not have two slightly different moulds.  Rick is the only one with the old and new, so I’m looking forward to what he may uncover.  

  • Side louvers are open on my car, but made of fiberglass.  I obtained a steel TD top pf hood to campare to the current fiberglass one and while the curveture and where the sides and top meet are exactly the same, the original maybe approximately two inches shorter.  Not sure why.  

    The placement of the grill and everything seems to be all in pr…

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  • I remember you were considering getting it.  There is a Triumph powered tin-TD nearby (northern NJ) for $14,900 and another one (with original motor) in Western CT for $14,500.  Both seemed to be well priced.

    I finally had an opportunity to compare the BCW-TD to a tin-TD and the lack of even just a few scant inches (maybe 2) made the tin-version s…

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  • Rick,  

    Did you pick up that re-engined TD?  I notice a cream and brown one in the distance.  Whever did your car originally took the extra steps to incorporate as much original stuff as possible – including the wheel.  Have you tried wrapping it with leather?  That might thicken it up a bit for you, but if you need more room, a smaller wheel (I t…

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  • Rick,  

    I think Silver is more common, but will defer to others.  
    I have an electronic Classic Gauges speedo, Tach in my BCW, which is smaller than the original TD Gauges. 
    Issue I have is that I don’t know where the sender is actually located on the drivetrain and I’ve yet to nail down a switch sequence (those who have “classic instruments” know wh…

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  • Rick,  

    Yes, much better without the fender (wing) mirrors in my opinion.  I used carriage bolts (painted black and cut short) to fill the holes….. make the original TD folks scratch their heads even more!  Looks like a “period” fix… LOL!

    I left the cowl mounted “rear-view” mirror (I think BCW’s used a a poorly manufactured copy of an or…

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  • Rick, The fender mirrors are practically worthless.  

    Alot of the original photos (especially those from England) show these cars without them.  
    Fender mounted mirrors may be more of an American addition. 
    You can attach the fender mirrors to a folding wind screen.  My mirror was “obtained” from a 1979 Sachs G-3 Moped (which I conveniently had in…

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  • Thanks Ed.

    Means alot coming from you!
    Tom
  • FWIW last picture shows my Rustoleum Black (formerly chrome) painted headlight buckets.  

    That and the Beige painted grill (to match the interior as per originals), probably confuse the hell out of the folks as they approach it.  Not having the huge Brooklands steering wheel (and I think two more inches of width) in the BCW makes the interior s…

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  • We parked the “mystery machine” right up against the barrier in the regular parking lot (picture attached) .  At one point someone says – “…why didn’t you park it on the field…”.  First of all there were no categories for “TDr’s” or “daily drivers” or “folks willing to drive top down for an hour in the rain” and Second, I’d have had to pay $…[Read more]

  • Tom Vilardi replied to the topic Shows in NJ in the forum Clubs and Show 7 years, 12 months ago

    And here’s our “mystery TD” as we went home.

  • Tom Vilardi replied to the topic Shows in NJ in the forum Clubs and Show 7 years, 12 months ago

    2016 Britfest Roxbury Twp. NJ.  Rainy day but three T’s came out, a bunch of modern Jaguars (in this photo) and a big Healey “working restoration” in the distance (lots of B’s some A’s and other’s too). Dorve over 65 miles round-trip top down (stopped after 10 miles to get at least one wiper working) and scored a matching wind-wing from a…[Read more]

  • Scored a replacment windwing with old hardware at the Central NJ (Centre) MG Club Britfest today (in the rain) for $25!  Saw it in a pile of MG stuff, asked the bloke what he wanted.  He said $25 – and I couldn’t get the money out of my pocket fast enought!  LOL!  I think Moss wants $125 for the pair and I’m not sure the hinges are stil the sam…[Read more]

  • Tom Vilardi replied to the topic Shows in NJ in the forum Clubs and Show 7 years, 12 months ago

    Reminder that Britfest in Succasunna NJ is this Saturday, May 7th from 9:00 to 3:00.  

    There is no “special-interest” or other “non-tin TD” categories from what I can tell, but I will be driving my “MG TD Mark 3” there and park with all the other regular folks to check out the cars on the lawn.
    I know there’s a fellow in Sussex County who posts…

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  • Tom Vilardi replied to the topic My Ride/My Project in the forum My Project 8 years ago

    Seat back does have a sort of curve to it I guess – not sure if it was originally that way or caused by years of use.

    Looking at the photo again it appears to have more of a bulge than I’ve ever noticed.  At other angles it looks flatter. 
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