Jumping right in!

Hello, im new to the MG community and the proud owner of a 67 midget. About a month ago, my father and I purchased a 67 midget that was being evicted from its storage garage for $2900. Since then we have trailered it home, and placed it in its new garage. Now the fun begins. I am trying to talk my father into a full restoration, and away from just doing what it takes to get it on the road. Anyway, the more parts i remove and catalog, the more willing he is to go for the gusto, and do it right. I have attached a pic, and there will be more coming..... Let me know what you think!

Hi Jeff,

It looks nice in the pic. Looks like it got a repaint and new top. Does it run, start, or turn over? How old are the tires (age and tread)? Interior ok? How are the brakes and cooling system? These are all the things you're going to have to look at. No rush - you have all winter. Looking forward to the pics.

Cheers,

Glen
(psst... is it done yet?)

Sad to see the sickness in one so young....

As one who has come to the conclusion that I would rather work on them than drive them, I applaud your descision to do a total restoration. However, before you tear appart what looks like a fun and usable car, can I ask a few questions?

Who is going to finance the 10-15k that it will cost to do a full restoration?
What kind of tool arsenal do you have? Add $800 for welder if needed. (This can become a side sickness, I warn you.)
Experience? Body and or mechanical?
How many hours do you have to put into this each week for the next _____year(s). Takes right around 1,000 hours to do a full restoration.

That said, you can do a nice refresh for much less. Assuming it needs nothing mechanical other than fresh brakes, you should be good for 5000 for paint and interior and other cosmetic bits.

And here is where the sick part kicks in: When you are done, you are going to have a car with 8-18k spent on it. that is worth 3-7k if you ever decide to sell. And somehow, we the afflicted do not care!

Pete

Pete is right.

Replace all the rubber bits and gaskets. Go over the brakes and suspension. Clean the wiring connections and ground everything well. Clean the gas tank. My two cents for the moment.

Matt

WOW, Thanks for all the your interest and feedback. All of you are 100% correct. It is a sickness. As far as the car goes...... It rolls... the brakes have all stainless lines.... but need a master cylinder... and each wheel most likely needs a brake rebuild and new tires all around.... the wires need some straightening.. sandblasting and paint.....

We were told that the engine was recently rebuilt... and we do have the receipts from the previous owner.... it does run.... but... we didnt bother testing it... the consensus is.... that the engine is coming out because of the color. Yes, the color... the block, head and valve cover have been painted with some type of olive green plastic-like paint, possibly POR-15. I can only speculate that the motor was rebuilt... assembled, and slathered with paint. Everything is painted over... or sealed with paint... just not the look we are going for. We cant even get the valve cover off!!! Very frustrating. The SU carbs are headed out for a full cleaning and polishing.

The former owner also has informed us that the tranny has been rebuilt, and it also came with receipts to document. Also the engine compartment needs new paint.... as a uniform coat of gloss black covers EVERYTHING under the hood, including the wire harness. cant wait to find out what type of hidden joys lurk under that black paint.

The body is complete.... except for the bumpers, there doesnt look to be too much filler... other that a few bondo spots.. the right front fender seems to be the biggest offender.
The best part? we havent found ANY rust ... yet..... we did just get the battery and heater box out on sunday... and further examination of the heater area may reveal some issues. The interior... should be replaced... although the dash is in great condition. The seats have already gone out for repair.


As far as the tools, experience, and drive required to complete this project, My father has owned a 62 and a 64, ( In the 60's!), and is the chief financial officer, so I am drawing off his knowledge, and checkbook. as for myself... i wouldn't consider myself a motorhead, by any means... but i do have plenty of time turning wrenches on an 82 trans am drag car... and a Nissan 240 SX circle track car that won 2 season championships, 26 wins. 4 second places, 3 thirds, and 1 DNF :( in 34 starts. I have no hesitation tearing into this. If i dont own the tools needed, I can cash in plenty of favors from the variety of people I know in the business. I do have unlimited access to a bead blast cabinet, several mechanics.. and an engine builder...... And whats the worst that could happen? I hone my welding skills with a new welder?? or buy a plasma cutter? these are bad things? nah.... remember he who dies with the most tools wins right??

Either way... my goal is to be driving by summer 2011. Its a long way off... but, every time is sit in it.... it doesnt seem that far off....

So... thanks again for your interest... and i will get some more pics as soon as i can.

One last thing.... i need some ideas for the color...ya know... to help visualize the end goal..... We want to keep it correct for 1967. our first thought was BRG, but we may have doubts.... any ideas?


heres a pic of the crime scene. the Plastic coated engine!!! Damn that guy!!!!!

[color=#4169E1]As once before, Pete offers the most sobering commentary on our affliction that I have read. I've always known it to be true, and had the disease for 15 years or so. Understanding real cost in time and money, and what we each are capable of doing ourselves and not capable of doing ourselves, makes the difference between it being a truly enjoyable hobby or not.[/color]

Exactly.

I will take as much joy in turning every wrench, as i will in turning every corner.

Jeff:

You seem to have the credentials to pull this off. Your , car is a good solid starting point, your goals are realistic and you have the infrastructure to support the hobby. Just to show that I am not all that wise, and seldom follow my own advice, here is a link to one of my current projects: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2203663

I need a twelve step program.

Pete

PETE!!! after looking at that page..... you are crazy!!!! you should be very proud of your work. I am very impressed. My favorite.... "no worries mate, she buffed right out!" Anyway. What can you tell me about acid dipping? how much is it? and know anyone near Buffalo NY that does it? We looked at a several bugeyes that we were going to start with... but there just arent that many left that dont need complete structural rebuilding.... but they are a great looking car..... nice work.

The acid dip shops are few and far between anymore. I had a 53 Desoto that I wanted dipped 11 years ago and couldn't find anyone closer than 5 hrs away.

Amazing work Pete.

Jeff, that 'orible olive green on your motor is close to correct for the year.
The color Pete used on the bugeye motor is very common on resto-mod cars it seems ( including mine ) and is "Austin Healey" engine green as found on the A H 3000 ( and in fact the earlier 100 & 100/6 Healeys too ) tho' never the bugeye ironically. It's engine was originally that 'orible Austin olive green found on all post war Austin engines I think.

You have a fun project ahead of you and the cred's to pull it off.

Good luck

"Acid Dip" is a misnomer. I think it is actually a basic solution. I don't know if I would do a tub again, however I would load up all the suspension and bits that need to be cleaned before paint. Sandblasting gets a bit tedious after a while.

By the time you are done, a shell and bits is going to be close to 2,000.

I did this car because I like a bit of a challenge and it will be going back to a family that deserves it and would never be able to restore it themselves.

Pete

The color of the engine block i can live with..... but the thick plastic appearance i cannot. Also, assuming i MAY need to service the motor....sometime.... I would need to get it apart.... the plastic coating prevents any dis-assembly. Any ideas as to how to remove it? Even if it is the correct color... its gotta go....i'll paint it back to original... with a more maintenance friendly paint.

As you can see we are full of advice, pessimists and optimists on this site, but we share a common feeling... we love these cars. I say, go for it! If you run into a head scratcher, ask the question, someone will have run into it sometime and tell you what they did.

Keep us updated, and we love pictures.