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MG MGA - Just Plain Sad - eBay Listing

Speaks volumes for itself...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MG-MGA-Twin-Cam-Twin-Cam-roadster-needing-restoration-GOOD-TITLE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ80750QQihZ013QQitemZ230204325810QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Steve
Steve Brandt

Oh, the humanity!
Del Rawlins

The wheels alone are worth more than that.
Baz

Wow, I thought mine was in bad shape...I how some one buys her and starts the long, long road to restoration. It seems such a shame that she was abused and tossed out.
Don
YD1956
D.M. Black

However restoration is measured, by the pound, square inch, or number of original parts, what's left of this car could never qualify as a restoration.
Maybe a few unique original parts could be transplanted to another car along with the title and VIN plate, chassis number, and, if lucky, the frame number restamped into another frame, but that would be like transplanting a few organs into a patient and renaming the patient the donor’s name.

I've seen extreme cases of neglect, but this butcher job puts Dexter to shame and the neglect is just additional insult.

Steve
Steve Brandt

"Ouch"
The steering rack, a couple of wheels and the front hubs may be salvagable. The rest is junk. What a shame.............................
Mitch Smith

It can be done, it's just a matter of how much you want to spend. If it were a pushrod car, parting it out would be the logical thing to do, but a twin cam? Even without any special history it would be worthwhile endeavor. Maybe not financially, but then again, few MG restorations are ever profit making ventures for the person who is footing the bill.
Del Rawlins

Well, if anybody will recall there was a seller on Ebay who had a complete origional front clip for sale, (in excellent condition) for around $1500.00. That takes care of the frt end. The rear is not so bad and with a little patients the body could be brought back to life inexpensively. The frame could be replaced, interiors are inexpensive. The big cost is the drivetrain. Mr. Black will tell you how much. All in all, if it were a little closer to Montreal I would be bidding on it. In actual fact the condition of that MGA looks a lot like some of the Quebec cars after only three years of our SALT RUSTED new car. I would guess that under $15,000 would have this car looking rather good. what's a rebuilt mga twin cam worth?
Gordon
Gordon Harrison

You wont get much change back from your 15 grand to purchase and re-build a Twincam drive train.............
Mitch Smith

I would venture to say that perhaps the title is worth as much or more than the vehicle. I restored an old Ford back in the 70s, and when I was done, I said that it was more a NAPA than a Ford, but it still looked and drove like a Ford. If I didn't have the challenges I have right now (4 MGA cars in sorry shape) I would look at this one too, mostly for the uniqueness and challenge.
mike parker

Remember that the frame isn't just a simple replacement item, since the Twin Cam chassis is longer, in addition to the detail differences.
Del Rawlins

Del,

I cannot understand what you mean by the chassis being longer. The steering rack is mounted further forward but the chassis length is the same.
The differences are that the chassis has five extra holes in the front crossmember, a bracket for the throttle cable, a different bracket to mount the fuel pump, and the holes in the horizontal frame of the goalpost are in different positions.

Mick
Mick Anderson

Sorry, I had thought that the frame itself was longer, probably read that years ago in some book, or misunderstood what I read. Either way, better to salvage as much of the original frame as possible. Considering the reconstruction that the body is going to need, the frame should be a walk in the park.
Del Rawlins

Mitch,
I have a hidden secret when it comes to body panels. I have an origional old school panel beater from Portugal,that lives nearby me. He can hand craft any type of car body work from flat steel. He ompletely remade,not rebuit an Allard body ...in aluminum.

But it does not end there. He will come to you, not you taking the car to him and ....get this... his rate is $25.00 can / hour.

He has been hired by people in British Columbia,flown out, hotelled and fed, and returned home just because he is so good and so inexpensive.

He did my MGA Coupe and the painter said he that he only had to apply one quart of plastic to the whole body and he sanded off most of it. He hammer welds all his joints and made and installed my engine hood in half a day.

So would there be a change left over from my $15,000.00........I think so.

As the frame goes, it would be ...take a look....assess the damage ....find an old parts frame and rebuild. I still think it is a very possible rebuild,if you are patient and have the time. Patients I have,time not so much and money...well I better ask my wife.

Gordon
Gordon Harrison

my car didnt look as bad as that...until i disassembled it and found what 35 years sitting in a barn will do.all in all,ive replaced everything you see wrong with this one..and its only a 1500 roadster..
eclectic motorworks can fix frame and body,or as gordon said,find someone with skills,or do as i did(i love a challange)chris
chris ??yearsin primer

Gordon, sounds like you have a unique friend there. Keep him happy and keep him around. Good panel men are few and far between these days. What i meant about no change back from the 15 grand was to try to buy and overhaul a twin cam drive train. Engine are as rare as hens teeth these days, and you are looking at a pretty expensive re-build if you do happen to come across one. Parts are getting more difficult to source and the price is reflected in this. But as you say, it all comes down to time and money. Time, well i have lots of that ( i hope ) money, well thats another story..................
Mitch Smith

It is a shame that a TC was both butchered and battered and allowed to rot away, but at least some of it is still here and might be of some use. At least the photos on E-Bay look better than the car did as found (attached). A tough place to start, but possible to save another TC if someone is really into it.


Bill Young

This thread was discussed between 17/12/2007 and 21/12/2007

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