My Dad Buys Crap - MGB-GT Restoration?

Just watched a bunch of episodes on YouTube of this series. Roger the owner rescued a chrome bumper MGB-GT from a pond. I think is was just a swampy area up to the axles. It has just about everything you can do wrong in "restoring" an old MGB-GT. For example: if there is a rusty panel; he just welds new metal on top of it. How about welding the fenders on?

Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vq4aEwugEQs


There are episodes starting in 2008 going up to a week ago. This is season 3 for this series and the name pattern changes half way through to the " mgb rebuild episode ## "

He is doing his own fabrication instead of buy new panels. Still can't wait to see this car complete

Wow.....I watched the first four episodes this evening and I feel like need to go to the doctor to make sure my Tetanus vaccine is up to date. That is a lot of rust ! Is this what Craigslist and Ebay mean when the ad says some surface rust or all MG's rust so it is not a big deal. LOL

He does not seem to be working in a methodical manner. I watched A MG is Born with Mark Evans a few weeks ago and he seems to have a much more methodical way of doing things. I like Evans' heavy use of a digital camera, parts database and referring back to the manuals by MG. This guy looks he rolls out of bed and says lets take the wings off her......

It will be interesting to see the final product.

Take care !

Patrick

You have to admire his determination. I also liked his description of his welding, "Well, that bit there...looks a bit bird-shitty round that corner".

Does he ever finish it I only saw up to episode 18.

Why do I feel like my future son will have a program about me with the same title...=(

Thanks for the post

Oh good lord, it's almost painful to watch. He is using the thinnest metal, doesn't clean the rusty metal before welding, doesn't cut out any rust, and he is consistently making bad welds. It's hard to believe the sheet metal is even sticking to the old metal. And the way he made the rear spring hanger; oh my soul... And in episode 20 or 22 he's welding the bottom of the front fender on and he's fender to door gap isn't good so he's just going to use filler. And then there is the scene where he pushed down on the floor saying how solid it is, while the floor flexes under the weight of his hand.

But he's trying so hard and is at it almost everyday. I do applaud his effort.

I've just watched a few,and all that wen't through my head was No,oh no,no he can't be,noooooooooo.

Then a horible thought came into my head,what if thats what the neighbors think I'm doing?,what if the guys on the FORUM think thats what us brits do?have my friends seen this and commented to each other -thats what Les is doing!.

I can't get rid of this paranoia,help!,I can't look at my GT without a mask on what shall I do?:D

I've watched a lot of this and been amazed at (a) his enthusiasm and determination to fix up an absolutely trashed car and (b) the miserable quality of the work being done. He's pleasant and interesting to watch, but the video quality is a little subpar, to say the least.

You have to admire his willingness to tackle the kind of jobs he takes on, but the welding and lack of care are just appalling. I honestly would not agree to ride in one of the cars he finishes because I'd be sure the whole thing would just collapse.

Still, watching a guy welding in the freezing weather in the driveway in front of his house is sort of mesmerizing in a weird sort of way, and I wish him the best of luck. But, I sure wish he'd learn to weld properly and use much better restoration techniques. At least cut out all the bad metal and do some rustproofing. He just tack welds flimsy pieces of metal onto everything. It can't possibly hold together for long. I keep wondering "Is this some strange English sort of addiction about sitting in the wet and cold with a welder while sipping tea?"

Another classic car saved from the scrap yard. :eyepop:

What can I say – "Terrified?"

I can not wait to see the day of the Ministry inspection. (Speaking as a one time authorised examiner, I’d put a hundred GV9’s on it). The tester's going to be killed by falling masonry.

What colour is going to be? Red I guess. I must keep a long way away from Red BGT’s when I see them coming.

Commendably most enthusiastic. Unfortunately most unskilled. Safety regards PPE - zero, e.g. no eye protection when grinding/cutting off, with a machine without a guard. Inhaling loads of catty (bondo) dust.

The videos have to stand as how not to do it.

I have to admit I had a morbid fascination after watching this for a while. I cannot believe it will ever pass a MOT inspection but by golly, he keeps on plugging away. I saw up through episode 20 but cannot find any more. Does anyone have a link to episdoes after #20?

Click on the blue "cockersid" at the top right. It gets episodes 21 and 22.

OMG this is a bio of my life!!!!!