Checking In...

Introduction - I'm 51, live in Tulsa, kids grown and out on their own, wife and I at home.

MG History: When I got my first car in 1974, I really wanted an MG, but good ones were just outside my price range, went with a Capri instead, nice care and a bit more practical. Bought a '63 B in 78 or so when in Engineering school for about $600 bucks, rough body, frozen engine, synchro's gone on tranny, and rebuilt engine and transmission and drove it a bit. When I moved away from home I left it behind (hard to continue a rebuild in an apartment), and my dad drove it some. He wrecked it, (isn't it the kid who's supposed to wreck the toy car?), and we parted it for $400. I probably had $1k or more in the engine/tranny/misc..

Time moves on. I was looking around for a project car to get back into MGB'ing. Ultimate goal is a very nice driver, and do as much of the work myself as possible/reasonable. If I wanted someone to build me a car I would have bought a concours winner. Found a nice '72 at the initial resto stage with a new floor and $4k of new parts that needed a home. Looks like a good start. Just a few rust bubbles, but I'm mentally prepared to replace the sills and whatever else needs it.

Next step, clean out some garage space, get it home, and get started.

My 'plan' is to strip the body down, get the body right (replace any rusted panels, strip off the paint, and start over with BRG.

Should I build a rotisserie? I've seen some good wooden home-built versions on journals. I've also seen people just put the body on it's side, but that would seem to risk some damage...

Tools - obviously a MIG welder. I've got a good compressor and basic set of air tools. Engine stand, crane - are the Harbor Freight versions ok? I'm thinking the crane would really be useful "one manning" the mechanical bits, and maybe even hoisting the body up to the rotisserie.

Should I get a blast cabinet, or just find a shop around here that can do that for me?

POR-15 or Eastwood?

Anyway, expect lots of questions over the next few years as I get rolling. No MG clubs in the area, so I'll be relying on you guys to bail me out from time to time.

Regards,
Steve

Welcome!

Steve,

Welcome and you've come to the right place.

First off, sounds like you have a good idea of your ultimate goal. "A very nice driver". It's always important to know before you start a resto where you want to end up. I guess my first question would be, have you restored a car before? What are your mechanical skills?

Then make a plan. It's very easy to stip a car and get lost in the enormity of it all and lose interest.

I don't know the condition of your current project, but another thought would be to sort it out mechanically first and drive it a bit. That would give you a better idea of what you want in the end and a chance to bond with the car ... and idea before you really jump in.

Congratulations on your new aquisition. Welcome back to the LBC world.
I bought a 73' BGT out of Tulsa in '07, from a devoted PO. He mentioned several times about getting help from fellow club members in his written journels.
I will look through his journels and try to find the name of the club for you.
The gentlmen and ladies on this site are great, good people and very knowledgable.

Welcome, sounds like you have the right attitude. '72 CB rdstr will be fun! I go with John's idea about driving it first, get the engine and mechanicals to your liking and then maybe in late fall do the body work. OR what the heck, jump all the way in if you want! Good luck and cant wait to see some pics.
Rob

If you have never taken on a full resto before, I second John Moore's idea to get it driving and bond and get a feel for you and the car. Work on one section at a time as you drive it. You can do quite a bit as a rolling restoration. Send us some pictures so we can see what you are dealing with.

Welcome to the community!

Welcome from Alaska.

I say yes to using Harbor Freight equipment. For the home hobby/restore, I feel the quality is good enough and the price can't be beat. If you were a full time mechanic, I might look elsewhere. I have a H/F crane and engine stand and I am happy with their performance.

I second the idea with driving for awhile. Especially with springtime here. This will fill your brain with pleasant memories of how it can be when you do find yourself in the middle of a complete restoration.

Welcome to the best MGB forum on the internet :)

Welcome from Toronto.
I have been disappointed with my sand blasting cabinet. Admittedly it is a cheap one and it clogs all the time and my compressor can't keep up with it.. Not worth the space it takes up on my bench. Take the parts out to someone who can do them and save the space.

Welcome, Steve.

I've ended up doing a "rolling resto" on my '73; NOT the original plan, but I don't think I'd have it any other way. Getting all the major mechanical bits in order lets me enjoy the car while I'm working on it - plus, those times it's laid up for more than a couple of weeks at a pop lets me appreciate it all the more when I'm driving again.

Welcome Steve! I can only ditto all that has been said. I inherited a '76B from my dad. Replaced the clutch and drove it a bit. Since then I bought a '74 chrome bumper, and well, in it's condition I might have quit, but kept driving the '76. Something to be said about the 'bonding' FIRST! I just replaced the floorpans yesterday in the '74. In the last 2 weeks, I got the car running (after 13 years), clutch working again, and painted. To echo Naomi, this is the best MG site on the internet, and these are REAL enthusiasts. Helpful, knowlegeable, experienced, and patient. I've gone into a restoration with no experience, and although I am quite mechanically capable, have avoided many problems and found every solution due to these "friends". No doubt, it's why I'm here everyday.
(plus, most are as crazy as I am, their wit is contagous)

Ditto...On what has been said Steve!

Welcome to the forum, you'll have every question answered by the great buch of people on here.

Cheers

Paul

Thanks for all the replies.

Attached is the only picture I've got for now, more coming.

I suspect that I will get it in driving shape and drive it a bit, before I tear into it, if only to evaluate the mechanicals. I honestly don't feel the need to 'bond' - I've been bonding with these cars for about 40 years now.

My first foray into B's I didn't do anything with the body, other than bolt on a fiberglass fender. This one, I want to start out with the body first. It's a lot easier for me to bond with a good looking car that needs some mechanical work than the other way around.

Regards,
Steve

Welcome from downunder.