MG Sports Cars

Rick, I think the choice of interior colors is good. I agree with you that we should be building the car to appeal to a wide audience considering the final disposition. Yes the paint with all the sponsor names and logos will be a bit different, but if we keep those "tasteful" in their design and placement they'll be a plus to the car instead of a negative. If we use vinyl graphics for those they can eventually be remvoed and the clear coat buffed out without a trace for the new owner if they wish. We don't want to go too conservative, but I personally don't think that yellow would be the best color. I suggest we try for agreement on a fairly standard mid spectrum color such as a blue or green and stay away from heavy metalics so that if any repairs are eventually needed they will be easier to match. The original blue that's on the car now or the green of the first body would be fine with me and both would work well with the seats. If you guys want a bit more flash then consider the MG orange color "vermillion" used on the Bs. Not too flashy, but definitely an eye catcher.

True enough Rick, but before we go too far down that road, I'd like to ask, what is our favorite charity? Could it be B.A.D.A.S.S.? So do we auction off the car and give the money to B.A.D.A.S.S.? And then do what with it? Build a proper fuel efficient sports car? Or did you have something else in mind? Certainly if we auction it off and give the proceeds to, say for example the Red Cross then that is the end of B.A.D.A.S.S. since it is our sole asset.

My point in saying this is that the car will be out on the road for several years before we even reach that decision point, and it is entirely possible that we may decide that the best way to promote our sport and educate the younger generations is to just keep it going. And if we do, the effect of color choice on resale is simply not a factor. Or, at that point we may decide that a respray is in order to enhance marketability. Or, the car may have gained such widespread recognition that a market exists for it no matter what color it is. Those are some of the reasons I say marketability may not be relevant in the color choice. As long as we don't paint it some totally stupid color we will probably be allright, but to my mind the entire purpose of the car is to attract attention and get people to look at it. To do that it should be as bright and flashy as possible.

By the way Rick, I think you were dead-on with your seat color choices.

Jim

I thought I would get a little "action" when I suggested YELLOW. I don't mind it on someone else's car I just wouldn't want it on mine. Besides we can't go far with a tranny! Red looks fast. I had 94 Porche red on my first BV8 and it was RED' Like you said Jim it needs to be flashy whatever color it is. M2C

Black on Black on Black. Using various levels of gloss it would have quite a striking effect. Black out the windows as well. Think of the money you'll save on chrome. ;) Sort of Grand National like.

Quote:

I got very little input when I asked for comments on the Fiero covers. I chose two-tone grey/black as a way of giving some eye relief in what can be a very dark cockpit in a GT....and these tones will go with most any exterior colour that we choose.

I didn't chime in because I didn't have a problem with anything you proposed. You didn't mention yellow two-toned seat covers. ;)

How 'bout we paint it what we want & worry about resale later........much later. Maybe even repaint it much later.

Good thing I passed on the pink covers, eh?

Might be a good idea to check w/Terry if he's still going to do the paint & body work. Darker colors show imperfections more so require more hrs of labor to get ready for paint. Just a thought.

When I spoke to Terry on Labor Day he did mention that he hoped we'd pick a lighter color because of just the problem Rob mentioned. Maybe Steve has something there with his white with blue stripes. ;-) Those are the FIA racing colors for the US, would be appropriate in that sense.

OK, I can understand choosing a light color for a volunteer project to reduce prep time. But if it were my car it would be dark, sleek and ominous. :)

Considering the ties to Buick, the GN scheme certainly does have some appeal. Also the current body is straight so aside from the flares should not need much additional prep for a dark color.

Jim

Just for giggles:

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Trevor's ideas sound B.A.D.A.S.S. - but rather than black why not flat gray? This might be a good car for one of those rat-rod paint schemes that looks like primer. Gray works well with other colors. Sponsor decals would look especially good on a gray background. You could potentially accent the gray with some elaborate flames, or a British flag motif, or maybe stripes in gloss black or charcoal.

I'd recommend losing unnecessary chrome trim too.

If not gray... orange is pretty sharp:

OK, since we are talking paint schemes... light ice blue with dark navy blue hood/top/hatch.

I like the orange idea too, but I'd go with a satin finish and black out all the chrome and tuck the bumpers.

Silver is over done and can be difficult to spray.

Roadmaster work weekend ... this Friday/Saturday....11/13-14

Yep, we've got a pretty good work crew lined up if everyone shows, so we should be able to get a lot done. Somebody will have to be designated as weekend photog so we have pics to share, and I think pretty much anyone who wants to show up is welcome. We all know where Pete lives, right?

Steve DeGroat and I should get there Friday evening.

Jim

Sorry guys, I'm not gonna be able to make this one. Probably be pretty low key after all that Viva Las Vegas. ;)

Pete told me today that the radiator has a bad core so we need to reconsider our options. Do we look for another XJ6 radiator to modify? Do we buy an aluminum radiator? Let's have some suggestions on this.

Jim

Pete Mantell, Dave Kirkman, Steve deGroat, and Jim Blackwood are working on the Roadmasdter today. Some decisions have been made regarding the radiator; it was planned to have the brakes plumbed; and a look at the clutch hydraulics was planned as well.

Next work weekend will most likely be in January.

A fantastic work weekend it was.............
As Rick mentioned we worked on getting the brakes plumbed, clutch fork & hydraulics & radiator support.
The work crew was:

Jim Blackwood
Steve deGroat
Dave Kirkman
Tom Bowles - White Heath, IL
Dik Sleeth - St Joseph, IL
Pete Mantell
Rick Ingram

Steve, Dave & Tom concentrated on the brakes, Jim worked on the Rad support and I worked on the clutch parts.

New brake lines were bent & master cylinder installed.

We pulled out the T5 from under the car and loosened the bellhousing, I then fabricated/modified a clutch fork and wilwood pull type slave cylinder, which then was attached to the side of the transmission.

Jim cut off the tube steel rad support to enable the wheels to be turned lock to lock.
It was then trimmed and re-installed pending the new radiator.

Here are a few pictures of the weekend.

And a few more..................