Since I started this project I have been a little concerned about the wiring side of things. I like to think of myself as pretty handy and resourceful in regard to most parts of a restoration of this nature. Electrics however are a different matter. I have tried to take care in the dismantling stage so I can document, label and take pictures of the way it was before I started. I have also studied the manual, which is very comprehensive in most areas, to check and double check what goes where. I think I have a reasonable grasp now but that will also change when I make the change from positive to negative earth and swap the generator for an alternator.

Why make it so hard I hear you say. Well as part of the rebuild the old girl is getting a new wiring loom that I will be making. I know there are places to purchase such things but I'm on a (let's try and keep the marriage) budget. I believe the wiring was ok but it is also nearly 60 years old. On inspection it was difficult to distinguish the wire colours apart and it was apparent that some of the wires had begun to crack. I have read on this site it seems to be a common problem so I decided to be on the safe side.

The new Loom will also have to support indicators and some extra relays for the increased loads. I have been taking some time to decide on the best way to achieve indicators as I was not happy with the trailer type that it had. I have a few choices to make before I make the loom.
1. Go with a newer version of the trailer lights it had.
2. Try to match the look of the brake light mount only smaller above the brake light.
3. Try to find an indicator relay unit from a zb to make the brake light flash as the indicator.
I probably won't be making the loom for another 6 months or so but I'm leaning towards option three. I like the idea of keeping the look the same way it was when it was made. This will mean patching the hole made by the po but what is one more job!

There are other questions that I'm not quite ready to tackle yet like, do I keep the regulator unit? At the moment that is a little beyond my understanding of what it actually does not to mention what might replace it. Also I think I will add a larger fuse box both to include the relays and to increase the number of fuses, I think three is a little under done. Then do I put the fuse box on the fire wall or relocate it to the inside of the car? Do I include the speaker and tachometer wiring in the loom or worry about that later?

I guess when I have had time to ask a few questions and think these things over it will all become clear.

A productive day all up! The strip down has begun and uncovering of more and more rust. As expected though some things have given me more trouble than others. For example the chromed kick strip that holds the door seal and carpet in place would not give up it's half dozen retaining screws. I used penetrating spays, different screw drives, verbal abuse, all the normal methods. I had come back to these screws a number of times over the course of the day and before I resorted to drilling them out I though I'd try some clout and..... Out they came. Mental note, try hammer first.

Interior out, all nuts, bolts and screws documented.

I am now the owner of a MG Magnette. This car was a parts car for another ZA restoration and was going to be lost to the scrap heap at some point. However I managed to convince the PO that it was too good and could be saved.
It has some cancer in the bottom of the doors and a little in the sills but everything else seems to be ok. There are some things missing to the other ZA restoration but I should be able to find most of them, except maybe the Hockey sticks.