New Project MG TC
SteveWallace - 7/8/14 at 04:00 PM
Having finished my build and gone through IVA, I decided that I wanted another car related project to do as I realised that tinkering with and driving
the Viento was not going to be enough to satisfy my addiction.
I thought about another kit, but in the end I decided I wanted to develop some additional skills so, after much internet searching, I've just
taken delivery of a very original 1949 MG TC. My intention is to do a full nut and bolt restoration. These things are not exactly low cost, but
unlike new kits, at least they appreciate in value if you do them right - so its an investment really (honest love).
As long as I don't get kicked out of LCB for going over to the dark side, I'll do the occasional update on progress if anyone is interested.
First job is to take it all to bits, taking lots of photos as I go.
Description
Description
snakebelly - 7/8/14 at 04:25 PM
that actually looks very tidy, is it a runner?
David Jenkins - 7/8/14 at 05:06 PM
Ooh - I like those!
Mind you - there was a restoration programme on TV about them a little while ago - low power, direct steering, no seatbelts, wooden body frame -
really, death-traps - but the cynic presenter ended up loving the car they fixed up!
I'd have one tomorrow...
Daddylonglegs - 7/8/14 at 05:32 PM
I hate you! They are cracking motors, good 'ole British spirit 
rdodger - 7/8/14 at 05:33 PM
quote:
Originally posted by David Jenkins
Ooh - I like those!
Mind you - there was a restoration programme on TV about them a little while ago - low power, direct steering, no seatbelts, wooden body frame -
really, death-traps - but the cynic presenter ended up loving the car they fixed up!
I'd have one tomorrow...
They painted theirs Baby Blue!
It did look very pretty though.
I look forward to updates please!
Fred W B - 7/8/14 at 05:43 PM
Nice looking project Steve.
You might like the pics I posted in this thread
Cheers
Fred W B
britishtrident - 7/8/14 at 05:57 PM
40 years back I restored this TF 1250 link so I know my way around an XPAG.
One thing to check is if the axle has had the Ford. English diff conversion as this is pretty common.
britishtrident - 7/8/14 at 06:30 PM
This download link may help ,..........
link to PDF of Tuning and Maintainance of MG's by
Phillip H Smith.
[Edited on 7/8/14 by britishtrident]
SteveWallace - 7/8/14 at 07:01 PM
quote:
Originally posted by snakebelly
that actually looks very tidy, is it a runner?
It looks tidier on the photos than in real life. That said, most of the metal is solid, but the wood frame will need to be replaced. The previous
owner had taken the body panels off to start restoration (hence the range of colours) but then roughly bolted them back on again to sell.
The engine turns by hand but I'm not planning on trying to run it without doing a rebuild unless my research show that its already had a recent
rebuild. Its a matching numbers car and there are registers out there that I am hoping will help me to build up a bit more of a history of its
ownership
02GF74 - 7/8/14 at 07:03 PM
Nice one. Make sure you post about your progress.
Whrn I read the post i expected a real rust bucket but if doesnt look bad at all.
Will you be fitting a zetec? 
SteveWallace - 7/8/14 at 07:09 PM
quote:
Originally posted by rdodger
quote:
Originally posted by David Jenkins
Ooh - I like those!
Mind you - there was a restoration programme on TV about them a little while ago - low power, direct steering, no seatbelts, wooden body frame -
really, death-traps - but the cynic presenter ended up loving the car they fixed up!
I'd have one tomorrow...
They painted theirs Baby Blue!
It did look very pretty though.
I look forward to updates please!
I saw that programme after I decided to buy this one. With the exception of the seat belts, I don't think that they are any more of a death trap
than a 7 style kit car. Its a matter of treating them with respect and paying more attention to the idiots on the road than you perhaps would in a
modern car.
Its a very odd contrast seeing it in the garage side by side with the Viento.
I wasn't keen on the Baby Blue colour and a couple of people that I've spoken to in the MG restoration community think that they spent far
too much money on it. That said, they ended up with a concourse standard car that sold for top dollar.
SteveWallace - 7/8/14 at 07:11 PM
quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
40 years back I restored this TF 1250 link so I know my way around an XPAG.
One thing to check is if the axle has had the Ford. English diff conversion as this is pretty common.
Thanks for the heads up and the links. I suspect that I will be in touch for advice when I start the engine rebuild
SteveWallace - 7/8/14 at 07:18 PM
quote:
Originally posted by 02GF74
Nice one. Make sure you post about your progress.
Whrn I read the post i expected a real rust bucket but if doesnt look bad at all.
Will you be fitting a zetec?
The bits of bodywork that don't look red have surface rust, but with the exception of a couple of places its solid enough to rub down to clean
metal.
Since I already have a 2.8l BMW engine in the Viento, I was thinking of maybe an M3 for this one (Actually, I'm looking forward to rebuilding
the XPAG engine).
perksy - 7/8/14 at 07:39 PM
How jealous an i 
I've always had a soft spot for one of those and look forward to seeing the restoration
Good luck with it
myke pocock - 7/8/14 at 09:04 PM
Noooo, keep it old school.
Fit a Rover V8!
Seriously though, I am currently helping a mate to totally rebuild (and I mean totally!!!) an XPAG for his MG and it aint cheap but I recon well worth
the time and effort for the fun factor of driving it. If I can find it, I will post a link to a comprehensive rebuild article of the XPAG engine. Has
certainly helped us.
SteveWallace - 9/8/14 at 09:41 AM
quote:
Originally posted by myke pocock
Seriously though, I am currently helping a mate to totally rebuild (and I mean totally!!!) an XPAG for his MG and it aint cheap but I recon well worth
the time and effort for the fun factor of driving it. If I can find it, I will post a link to a comprehensive rebuild article of the XPAG engine. Has
certainly helped us.
Thanks, that would be really useful. I've had a bit of a search on-line myself but can only find bits and pieces rather than anything
comprehensive. I need to have a good look at the engine once its out of the car to assess what needs doing. I've seen a comprehensive parts set
for a rebuild going for around £2k but I need to work out what I really need and find the best supplier for balancing cost and quality before
investing that sort of money.
coozer - 9/8/14 at 12:29 PM
Ford 302 v8....
