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MG TD TF 1500 - getting down to the short hairs

yep

LaVerne Downey

page 2

LaVerne Downey

frame for the hood and side curtains is at the powder coaters. Should be ready for a weekend installation.

LaVerne Downey

last one

LaVerne Downey

Damn! Are you sure you didn't work at Abingdon? This has to be a world record build! You even did the straps that hold the side curtain box closed correctly - they wrap up and over the screws that hold them in the bottom hiding the screws. (I know, I missed that subtle point.) Who did the seats? Look nice.
efh Haskell

No big deal Ed. Been just about a year now. Would have been done two months ago if I hadn't screwed up the paint. I farmed out two things on this that I didn't on the TF. One was the sheet metal cleaning. Worth every penny in time and effort. The other was the seat covers. Took the covers and seats to an upholstery shop in GJ. Thinking I would have them ready for the fathers day cat show. They were but I wasn't. Two mile drive revealed the right rear brake is dragging and the adjuster is all the way off so I guess I'll be pulling the drum to see whats up with that.
LaVerne Downey

Beautiful work LaVerne. Your color selections work very well. Very nice job indeed. D@mn, just hope I can come close to the quality of work you have done.

Cheers -- John
John Brickell

LaVern,

What did you end up doing to align the seat back hardware???? It seems to look fine now! Very nice job!!!

SPW
Steve Wincze

Looks great LaVerne. I like the interior and the panel fit looks very good.

Which bow system does the car get? The Moss instructions for the two bow top are incorrect. The height above the door at the lowest point of the door should be 19-3/4 not 20-1/2 inches.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Very impressive LaVerne!!
Phil Atrill

You do very nice work ...looks great!
David Sheward

OUTSTANDING! What color did you paint the grill slats? I wish I had the guts to do my car in black!
Steven Tobias

Thanks guys. It's not perfect but should be presentable.

Steve I used 4 stainless washers plus the fiber job on each side. I loosened up the fender bolts and still need to find an appropriate shim to use to keep them square.

It's a two bow top Dave. I kept the old panels to use a a template for the mounting holes but I know well enogh not to trust them entirely. Panels fit ok but thats thanks to Moss, nothing on my part. used two shim plates on the passenger door latch and the gap is much wider than is acceptable but I'm going to have to live with it. The drivers door latch has no shim plates. Amazing... I will add the safety strap arrangement I did on the TF. Once at speed was enough for me.
LaVerne Downey

Got some new chrome ones Steve T. I did paint the old ones the same tan color as the fuel tankbolts you see in the photos. It's hanging on the wall. I think the black can handle all the chrome even though it's not correct.

LaVerne Downey

So what about those two A's you say are sitting in somebody's back yard over there? One for parts, one for build? I'll bet you could have it done in another year - but we would all have to switch to the A board to hear about it/:

And if I'm not being too nosy, what did those seats set you back? I did the same with mine but it was far more than I wanted to spend.
efh Haskell

The guy never called me back and by the preliminary looks of them it was no big loss. I'm thinking some American iron might be in order next time. 69 Mustang 302 fastback sitting up in Ouray that should be brought to my place so we can get it on the road. Belongs to my son's buddy. His dad bought it new but he was killed in an industrial accident when he was very young and it was passed on to my son's friend. Been just sitting up there forever. Haven't seen it but I think it's about time I had a look.
LaVerne Downey

Yes LaVerne, The chrome slats work very well!
Steven Tobias

The chrome slats look great.....

(before the checkerboard)

gblawson(gordon- TD27667)

"You even did the straps that hold the side curtain box closed correctly - they wrap up and over the screws that hold them in the bottom hiding the screws."

I think it is correct as exposed screws. My car has never been taken apart and there are chrome screws with small escutcheons. But then again, who is to say what is right or wrong and to each his own.

You can barely make it out until I get a better pic.

Also look at page 43 in Clausagers. That is what mine look like.

vping

I think mine are as they left the factory? Now that I look at the photo, are the two screws right?

gblawson(gordon- TD27667)

The photos of unrestored TD's from the Original mg td site clearly show that the strap has the exposed screws. So much for following Horst's guide.

http://www.mgcars.org.uk/mgtd/Pictures/UnRestored/Thumbnails/mgtd_gallery_unrestored.htm
LaVerne Downey

I don't think consistancy was a top priorty on the assembly line. Who's to say some of the workers installing the upholstery did it one way while some thinking it looked better did it another.
Richard Taylor

The reason I think the screws should be hidden is not because of the way the screws look. I believe the purpose was to hide the unfinished end of the strap which shows on mine. However I just looked at LaVernes link (his last post above, pix #21) & it looks like the rough end is tucked under and the screws are through a doubled up strap. That solves both "problems". Think I'll do mine that way when it goes back together.
efh Haskell

I should have at least stated first that LaVernes interior looks amazing.

Gordon,
Is that what your interior looks like now or when you got your car. Mine is the same fabric but dirtier.

Two questions:

Any chance of finding material to match?

How did you clean it?

Cheers
Vince
vping

That was when I first got the car... used 'Fantastik' (out of the kitchen)and a soft brush....then every vinyl cleaner I could find ... finished with vinyl stuff (armoural, etc).
gblawson(gordon- TD27667)

I have been working on Little T this weekend and found the original compartment lid. It has the two screw pattern and the edge has been folded over; also notice the hinge is under the rexine as well.

Regards
Rich

Richard Taylor

Here is a shot of the back with the original felt. Not anything like todays felt; it looks to be made from some type of animal hair and the fibers are really long.

Regards,
Rich

Richard Taylor

This thread was discussed between 01/07/2010 and 03/07/2010

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