TF decisions...

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Sergi Bmw
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TF decisions...

Post by Sergi Bmw » Fri Mar 03, 2017 5:16 pm

Well I've been looking for quite some time buy a LHD Sunspot yellow and because I never seen one for sale, I am planning to build my own one... that means buying a regular car and respraying it. But now I have plenty of doubts of how I should proceed...

The plan is to restore the car to perfect condition alongside with the respray, hell I even have a new 1.9 K series Engines in the garage waiting for the right car.

But first I gotta find the car, so help me decide which option would turn out better
Option 1 Buy a UK Sunspot Yellow RHD car
Advantages:
-Already in the proper colour so no need to respray
-Reasonably priced

Disadvantages
-Cost of importing
-Distance for finding the appropriate car & travel expense
-Need for a LHD conversion
-Poorer condition compared to average Spanish cars (You know dry weather...)
-Need for Air conditioning system

Option 2 Buy a Spanish car and respray it sunspot yellow
Advantages:
-Easy enough to find and get home
-Air conditioning as standard
-Good condition on subframes and shell
-LHD
-No import taxes to overcome

Disadvantages
-Having to dismantle a complete car to paint it correctly including window screen, wings etc.
-Not beeing a "true" monogram
-Cost of Spanish cars substantially more than those in UK
-Lack of extras in vast majority of cars like AP brakes or 16' wheels

Option 3 Paint my actual Pearl Black MG TF
Advantages:
-I already own the car I have restored to my standards
-Cheaper than the other 2 options
Disadvantages:
-No MG during the process
-Grenadine roof & interior that would look odd in sunspot yellow so I might have to change it
-Spare 160 engine with LSD gearbox
-Having to dismantle a complete car to paint it correctly including window screen, wings etc.
-Not beeing a "true" monogram

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David Dixon
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Re: TF decisions...

Post by David Dixon » Fri Mar 03, 2017 6:42 pm

Option 2, rust free (or at least better condition) wins,though another disadvantage could be the cost of the paint. You can then spec' as you choose, wouldn't bother me too much if not genuine monogram. (There is only one genuine Aurora, but a small number of respray copies, they all look good regardless). Option 3 a no no, lifes too short to not drive an MG.
Last edited by David Dixon on Fri Mar 03, 2017 7:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Sergi Bmw
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Re: TF decisions...

Post by Sergi Bmw » Fri Mar 03, 2017 7:29 pm

Yeah David, a Spanish car guarantees you rust free (I've seen early MG F in it's original subframe mounts and they look perfect) I will consider option 2 and get parts shipped from UK ;) Let's see what the others may think...

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David Dixon
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Re: TF decisions...

Post by David Dixon » Fri Mar 03, 2017 7:55 pm

I had an MGB when I was in California, which I then shipped back to the UK. I stripped it down to re-paint (faded in CA sun) and renew the interior. It was a joy to work on with no rusted nuts and bolts. When I was searching for the MGTF i got last year I bookmarked Spanish car sales sites. Buying an MGTF from Spain was a serious option because of likely good condition (and not fussed by driving left hand on left). Good luck in your search Sergi...keep us posted..

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Rob Bell
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Re: TF decisions...

Post by Rob Bell » Sun Mar 05, 2017 7:00 pm

Any one of those options would work Sergi - but if you can buy a crashed LHD TF and a UK Sunspot, that would be the way I'd go... All the parts you'd need for the LHD conversion and an affordable car in the right colour. Plus all the mechanical parts which tend to rust could be obtained from the Spanish donor?

Sergi Bmw
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Re: TF decisions...

Post by Sergi Bmw » Wed Mar 29, 2017 4:26 pm

Well after a month or so trying to get a sunspot yellow... probably I will settle for a more common solar red car. I have located one needing TLC in Barcelona... It is a LHD car so Aircon is standard and it also has leather seats, fog lights and colour coded hardtop. I will be starting a project thread as I am planning of rebuild this car myself so wish me luck.... PS. I may still paint my actual PBT car in Sunspot though....

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Rob Bell
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Re: TF decisions...

Post by Rob Bell » Wed Mar 29, 2017 5:03 pm

Sounds like a good idea Sergi :)

Are you planning to take it completely apart and rebuild from scratch? If so, might be the ideal time to take it to the paint shop and get it painted inside and out. I don't know about you, but I am a bit OCD about things like this and much prefer all the internal panels to be the same colour as the outer panels - even if the majority of them you won't ever see again! :lol:

Mikeadman
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Re: TF decisions...

Post by Mikeadman » Wed Mar 29, 2017 6:51 pm

Rob Bell wrote:Sounds like a good idea Sergi :)

Are you planning to take it completely apart and rebuild from scratch? If so, might be the ideal time to take it to the paint shop and get it painted inside and out. I don't know about you, but I am a bit OCD about things like this and much prefer all the internal panels to be the same colour as the outer panels - even if the majority of them you won't ever see again! :lol:
The only way to do it IMHO :thumbsu:

Cheers

Mike 8-)

Sergi Bmw
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Re: TF decisions...

Post by Sergi Bmw » Thu Mar 30, 2017 12:34 am

Rob Bell wrote:Sounds like a good idea Sergi :)

Are you planning to take it completely apart and rebuild from scratch? If so, might be the ideal time to take it to the paint shop and get it painted inside and out. I don't know about you, but I am a bit OCD about things like this and much prefer all the internal panels to be the same colour as the outer panels - even if the majority of them you won't ever see again! :lol:
Yes i will re-paint the car and obviously will be done in a professional workshop.

Will rebuild from scratch but I am a beginner so will go slowly :thumbsu:

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Kasper
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Re: TF decisions...

Post by Kasper » Fri Mar 31, 2017 11:12 am

Sergi Bmw wrote:
Yes i will re-paint the car and obviously will be done in a professional workshop.

Will rebuild from scratch but I am a beginner so will go slowly :thumbsu:
Don't worry, a propper respray is well doable. Dismantling all shiny bits and the interiour is easy and without doubt you'll manage the front sub frame easily. the aircon will need a specialist, at least to refill, and the engine will go with the rear sub frame. all has been done in the past by many of us. Support is, allthough not around the corner, available over here.
Lots of succes :thumbsu:
MGFvvc - 90FVBG - charcoal - you might think it is original - (1996 nr:8204)
MGTF 120 - 57RNJ7 - BRG - every day is an MG day - (2005)
MGC CGT - SJ08DY - tartan red - 1985 restauration fairly original - (1968 nr: 4137)


http://www.MGF.be

campbosshassi
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Re: TF decisions...

Post by campbosshassi » Wed Apr 05, 2017 11:45 am

from Sergi
Where are you in Spain, I am in Torrevieja, also did you get the 1.9 from VGK racing in Alicante?

Sergi Bmw
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Re: TF decisions...

Post by Sergi Bmw » Mon Apr 17, 2017 11:28 pm

Well the red MG TF was a NO-No it had too many problems for the price the seller wanted. Paint knackered, seats destroyed, engine management light on, EPAS problems, window Roof with tear and on top of that Head gasket failure and the seller still wanted 2500Euros... :o

So back to the search... ideally (Again) a sunspot yellow TF

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Rob Bell
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Re: TF decisions...

Post by Rob Bell » Tue Apr 18, 2017 10:47 am

Knock him down on price. If you're starting from scratch, the condition of the interior and the paint not really a problem? And you're replacing the engine anyway? :)

Sounds like a car you could buy in the UK for about £300-400... but it would certainly have a bit more rust ;)

Sergi Bmw
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Re: TF decisions...

Post by Sergi Bmw » Tue Apr 18, 2017 5:20 pm

Rob Bell wrote:Knock him down on price. If you're starting from scratch, the condition of the interior and the paint not really a problem? And you're replacing the engine anyway? :)

Sounds like a car you could buy in the UK for about £300-400... but it would certainly have a bit more rust ;)

Yep I tried that but... no luck... :cry:

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