Do solid "tubs" exist in Ontario Canada

Hi, This is my first post here. We picked up a 77 Midget project yesterday for my 15 yr old son. The car will need the apparently typical repair to the inner and outer sills, floor pans, 1 rear fender arch patch panel etc etc. Passenger side main beam ( the frame rail the front suspension crossmember attaches to) will also need to be replaced. We live in Ontario Canada, and I'm not sure if we can find a descent bare body ,to replace this one, "locally". Is there such a thing as a descent "tub" in Ontario or the vicinity?? His car is repairable, but since he's paying for this himself (tiny budget) we are looking for the cheapest alternative. This entire car only cost $100 Canadian and included a nice Bentley repair book, so he's in for a shock when I show him the grand total for patch panels.:eyepop:. Thanks, nice to be here. ANY ideas or comments are welcome.

Jeff:

You anywhere near London? You are welcome to drop by. I still have the bugeye up on the rack and would be happy to pass on any tips I might have as they pertain to your project.

Rust free shells are pretty rare in Canada. The damage to your front cross member is a concern; more so if it is accident damage. You do not mention what your welding equipment and skills are up to.

I like to taylor my responses to the posters budget and I still recall being in your sons positions many years ago with a rotted out first car. I got it on the road and drove it for a year, however, the purist would have hated the car since it had flat floors, no gap between rockers and fenders or doglegs and a fair bit of bondo under a rattle can paint job. I had a lot of fun with that thing.

So if you want to do this cheap, I can still think in those terms.
That said, brakes and suspension should not be skimped on and you might be into $1500 for that lot all said.

Have a look at how these things go together to get a better idea of what you are into... http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2203663

Pete

Jeff,
If the cross beam you are talking about is the one in the very front near the radiator - The difference is, the ones for the 1500 cars were notched in order for the Triumph engine to fit. If you do use one for an earlier car, you will have to replicate the notched area or the pulley wont clear.

Just got a chance to take a better look underneath of her. We might be looking for a better body after all. The damage is worse than we thought.:moody:

Are you hooked on a Midget or would you consider an MGB? I might have a lead on a decent 1971 MGB.

What did you find underneath? Maybe it is time to e-bay off the parts of this one and find another?

Another option to consider is to wait till mid April and go to the big swap meet in Ancaster. There is bound to be something of interest there. If nothing else, it is a great day out for Brit car fans.

Pete

I hear you on the cost. For 2k you can get a decent project and save a few years.

Here is one in St. Thomas for $500 or BO. Might be worth a drive. Might be your car for all I know!

http://london.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-1977-MG-Midget-Convertible-W0QQAdIdZ190177774


Pete

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MG-RUBBER-BUMPER-MG-MIDGET-RUST-FREE-BODY-TUB-PARTS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27b0536b89QQitemZ170461981577QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Minessota is only a 12 hour drive. Considering that a tub restoration is about 350 hours plus panel cost, such a shell would be a bargain!

Pete

Thanks very much. We'll definately keep an eye on it. Problem is the distance and fuel prices.Google says that It's about 2600 kms round trip door to door or about 29hrs of driving. My truck costs me about $20 an hour pulling my trailer. So lets just say $600 for fuel, 1 night in a motel, road tolls, plus any fees at the border, plus cost of tub. . Not sure what the reserve price is on the tub. Tub does look solid though its hard to tell in the pics if the sills are good enough to use as is. If it was closer we'd be on our way!! Thanks again, we really appreciate the help:thumbup:. Jeff

Jeff,
You should throw a wanted post in the trader section. You may find someone closer like ON, MI, PA or NY.

Jeff:

Even with your calculations, you are gonna be 30 hours and 2k into the project, when a local shell is likely to eat much more time and money in parts.

The only reason I chose to restore the bugeye is because I wanted a real challenge. I knew going in that it would be an act of financial irresponsibility.

Another approach is to buy a finished car. This is generally the best approach. Good drivers are in the 5k range and it is near impossible to restore one for that amount of money.

The nature of this game is to decide if it is about the driving or the project. If it is about the project, then you can expect to spend a steady stream of $$ much the same as if you were golfing or any other hobby.

Pete

Thanks AGAIN guys. I'll post an ad here for a tub or solid project:thumbup:. Just put an ad on London Kijiji, so we'll see what happens.
Like I mentioned before somewhere. My sons paying for most of this, not me. Sure, being that he's my son, I'll "absorb" some (understatement) of the expenses, but I'm not exactly a rich man either. Buying a completed car is WAY out of his reach and kind of defeats the purpose of learning about cars. When he turns 16 he'll hopefully have a bit of respect for his car, knowing that his blood, sweat and tears made it happen. Patiently waiting for the right parts to come along is going to be the hardest part of this project. The $100 for the '77 wasn't a total loss. Car has newly powdercoated rostyles, good doors, hood, trunk lid, windshield, luggage rack, repair manual, brand new antenna etc etc and a ton of other reusable parts for the next one. It's hard to fault a car that cost the same as a tank of gas:thumbsup: We're just thinking of it as buying the parts car first. We knew it was rough. We're hopeful that something will turn up one of these days. So for now we'll just hurry up and wait. Jeff

If your son is going to stay with a Midget, then the project is not even at a standstill. You have a drive-train and a suspension/brake system that can be made ready for that new shell when you find it.

A wire wheel and a few cans of rustoleum paint are cheap and will keep the project going. And determine resolve. If you are a REALLY nice dad, you would get a sandblaster going:D
The front suspension and brakes are going to need refurbishing most likely, so that will eat some budget.

You really should do the Ancaster trip just for the ambiance if not the shell hunt.

Hope to hear that you found a shell soon.

Pete

Hi Jeff,

So, you're 20 minutes west of London? I have a friend in Forest who is very much into Midgets, and who may be able to help your search for a better tub. Send me a PM or an email and I'll give you his particulars.

Have you done a search on Craigs list for the Metro Detroit area? There are quite a few Midgets for sale.

There's one in Redford, MI, that might be of interest to you. http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/1656468332.html
"CLASSIC PROJECT CAR. 1979 MG Midget. Non-running but comes with most parts. Clear title. Most of the body work is completed and primered. Brand new convertible top; seats in great shape. $1200.00 o.b.o " There's even a few pictures of it in the ad.