The rust to riches story, chapter 1!!! (Project log)

[Ezra]

Really enjoy this thread You seem to be constantly under that car, but your making nice progress.... Keep the updates coming!!!!
You sure got a rusty model though, I'd say that can of wd40 is near empty
best of luck with it!!!!

[redmist]

Thanks Ezra and yes its been two weeks ish constantly working on the car, hoping to catch some sunshine in it so have to keep moving!!

Today I finished the rear under arch / subframe tart-up and I decided to put the replacement roof on, i think the results are great even before I get a roof cleaning kit.

Can anybody recommend something to clean the plastic window with? Its fairly scuffed so maybe its too late? Any ideas?





I will book an MOT test for later in the week so here's hoping things go well.

[Charless]

Try this: http://www.mgfregister.org/shop/36-grey ... olish.html
It will come up like new.
Of course if you want to do it on the cheap - ordinary toothpaste does the same job and is easier to apply evenly. Likewise for cheap renovating hood colour you can use liquid shoe dye/polish at a tenth of the cost. And to waterproof it use liquid tent reproofer (much easier to apply accurately) instead of aerosol cabriolet hood reproofer which comes bundled with a hood cleaner that is the same as ....soap, but costs five times as much.

[Rob Bell]

Autoglym Super Resin polish will also bring the rear screen up nicely too!

This project is coming along really nicely!

What I would also check, if not already, is the condition of the radiator and the under-floor coolant pipes. Would be a shame to find all the coolant dumped on the floor and a ruined engine needing an ebay replacement...

Will try and sort out those dampers for you this week. Surprisingly heavy - I have a worry that the postage will cost more than the dampers themselves!

[redmist]

Ok I've got the super resin polish somewhere so maybe try that first.

I have had a very close look at the under floor pipes and apart from some of the paint flaking at the back they're suprisingly good.

Booked an MOT for 6.30am tommoro morning at the Council depot up the estate from my work, they're a little pricey but don't do any repairs so no incentive for them to give me long winded stories or suck a gallon of air through their teeth just by looking at it!!

[ErikB]

I just love these projects !!!

Make sure to remove ALL rust before covering up with paint.

[redmist]

Just a thought after reading about the MGFifteen event, lets just say thoretically things go well, would it be too late to enter into the 1995 registered stand?

Read the service book and it was registered on the 30/10/1995.

Not much to show off on the car of course but it might be a nice story considering the car nearly ended up on the scrap heap 10 days ago!!

[Rob Bell]

I would hope that some space could be made for the 1995 recycled car!

[redmist]

Well blow me down with a peacock's feather!

SHE PASSED!!!

Not even any advisories!!! I am shocked, put pleased of course!

Spoke to the tester and found out he restores Opel Mantas to show winning conditions so maybe he has a soft spot for classics!!
Either way I'm chuffed!

Total spend on buying the car, parts and MOT is £253. If I add the cost of tools / paint bought during the recent work its £385 all told!!

Tonight I have the delightful job of giving my family members a run around each which they've all been itching for!!

I do believe the car needs further work cos the ride seems harsh and a little bit crashy, I think the bushes need replacing and maybe a slight fluid pump up.
Front tyres would also be of benefit.

Maybe now I'll book that weekend in the Yorkshire dales!!

[Rob Bell]

Wow! Fantastic!

[Andythetyre]

Lucky b******!

Well done. Fine bargain!!!

[alanick]

hi only joined forum yesterday read your story been trying to get on it all day to see how ya got on.nearly knocked my brew over when saw that she passed.well done dead pleased for ya both

[redmist]

Well thank you all for the comments!! I was more than suprised!! I can tell you!!

I also got some digs at work about me and the F, something to do with me being 6'4"!! I don't find it too bad driving TBH, although if i sit up straight you can see my head making a dome on the roof! Ha ha.

Now how do I get some tickets to MGFifteen? Do I have to be a member of anything first?

Downloaded the application form, but so many sections!!

[Ezra]

Congrats on the mot!!!! I'd say it's great to be finally driving the car rather than just having it sitting there on stands best of luck with it !!!

[redmist]

Took the wife, the dad and the kid brother for a scoot around tonight!
Generally well recieved except for the wife who kept complaining about her hair in the wind!!

P.S. Quote from the MOT tester today "I've had a good bash around underneath, everything is solid..only surface rust"

Complimentary "perfect two car garage" indulgant photo:



Red for racing (240 BHP Astra Coupe Turbo), white for wandering!!

[sparky135]

Great work and congrats on the MOT.

Would be great to see it ( and you of course) at MGFifteen. Full details on how to get there can be found in this thread.

[redmist]

Ordered a new gear stick gaiter and will commence the valet to end all valets this weekend!!

Application for MGFifteen to be posted this lunch time and tickets to order too!

Apparently a dad of a mate has a hydro pump from the old Mini days so maybe I'll be getting a free pump up.

Enjoying buzzing around in it so far but now the weathers over cast come on sun don't dissapear now!!

[ErikB]

Very good news about the MOT.

I hope to catch you at MGF15.
Congrats !!

PS. a windstop makes a unbelievable lot of a difference.

[Rob Bell]

The blue wig never lies: http://mgf.ultimatemg.com/group1/windstop/index.htm

[andreasue]

Body work looks sound, but crumbs - the suspension! Never seen bright orange rust like that - almost as if someone's sprayed salt water on it and left it to dry!!!

Wheel bearing looks nice Replacing the whole wheel hub assembly is the most sensible precaution here. I might also be tempted to replace the upper arm too given the aggro of removing the upper ball joint (amazed it broke the splitter!) - unless you think that the taper has survived intact?

The wheel bearing doesn't look nice to me when i first look at it! Full of rust! But WOW it just came back to life and you restored that car! That is really from RUST to RICHES! Cheers mate! WD-40 has done a great job on the rust!