1953 MG Project ... help always appreciated

I need to give a little history here. I have an older '53 TD (the “Green” one) that I purchased from Abingdon Spares' Bob Seymour as a pile of parts a few years back that are now spread out in my garage. The car has not had much done to it. That is to say, I'm a bit overwhelmed by the prospect of restoring the bent, torn and rusted fenders and rusted body parts, engine not started for an unknown period of time ... sort of a not very good, but mostly complete, parts car.

Well, in the meantime, I decided to get a car I could drive and have next to the pile of parts to inspire any garage elves to spin the parts into a shinny restored MG TD. So far, I think the only spinning they’re doing is just taking the drivable car out for a spin at night, because the parts haven't moved much or reassembled themselves in any meaningful manner.

Here's a picture of the green car when I picked it up from Bob.

Question: Does anyone know where I could get a radiator shell in restorable condition? Thanks.

Larry

Your best bet is to post an ad on the TD forum or in the classifieds at MG Enthusiasts. That's where most of the TD owners online hang out.

http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read.php?1,1272744

Hi Larry,
Check out the post I just put up before yours....

Although not identical, the TD and TC radiator shells are the same size. If you will go to www.mg-tabc.org and join the email forum someone will have a chrome shell that may or may not have the slats. In all probability someone will have a TD shell. I've been part of this group for 7 years and it's a great source of information and parts for T series cars. The forum specializes in MG TA, TB, and TC cars but nearly everyone has earlier and later cars as well.

Thanks. I have a price from paulschrome.com to repair and re-chrome my shell for about $900. I don't know if that's fair, average, etc. Well, it's a bit down on my list. But if I could get one in really ready to mount condition for less, I would check it out, that's for sure.

Larry

Larry- Here's a tip for radiator and headlamp bucket repair. Look for a musical instrument repair shop in your area. They are very accustomed to getting out dents and dings in brass instruments and will do a better job for less than a chrome plater. After the dents and dings are out of the shell it will cost half as much to have just the plating done.

Thanks for the advice. I'll give that a try.

Happy Holidays!

Larry

Larry,

You aren't all that far away from the folks at Sports Car Services in VT. You might look them up and ask David if he has parts you can use. I suppose it's also worth mentioning that you might consider getting the car together in "running, but not pretty" condition and then worry about the brightwork and fenders and such. Obviously, things like the chassis and motor, etc ought to be done to exacting standards the first time, but the radiator shell can be worried about later. Once you get that thing looking more like a car than a pile of scrap, your interest will follow.

Tom