MG Sports Cars

And more..................

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

Plus, I took a couple more photo's with borrowed front fenders, just to see how it would look..........



I will work out a schedule for the upcoming work weekends and post ASAP.

Well guys, I think if there was any question in anyone's mind about the wisdom of moving the project we've just dispelled them. The project has moved along quite smoothly and we've made progress in directions we wouldn't have had it stayed here. A case in point, it turned out that Pete had that brand-new in-the-box pull cylinder that we needed lying on the shelf waiting for an application and he didn't seem to mind donating it to the car. So not only was the cost of buying it avoided but the time spent acquiring it was avoided as well. And it turned out that his feeling that an external slave cylinder would fit and work was well founded. Some judicious trimming of the release arm and very slight bumping of the tunnel and we had a good 3/4" of clearance. (There is an existing bulge in the tunnel, we simply smoothed the rear edge of it.) The hardened release arm was near impossible to drill for the pivot bolt to the slave but it turns out that Pete has quite a skilled hand with the plasma cutter and with the hole at near finished size and shape a simple clean up had it in good condition. Anyhow, these guys really worked on the car, but there was quite a bit of joking and tomfoolery going on as well and a more congenial and agreeable environment you'd be hard pressed to find. We did take a break for an extended executive power lunch at the local bar and grill. Some of us might have thought at the time that those were wasted hours but with such an almost extravagant rest break we were well able to work into the evening, when Rick showed up with a much welcomed pair of extra large pizzas. Steve, Dave, Tom, and the guys were meticulous in their preparation of the braking system, even going so far as to consult with Bill Guzman over the phone to insure that everything in the braking system is as it should be. Turns out that the flex lines are a bit short but that is the last piece of the puzzle and all else is in readiness. We have a few fittings to acquire for the clutch lines (pressure and bleed) as well, but those are very minor issues which we can square away next time around. Speaking of which, we'd like to see some more new faces at the build, so sign up now!

As mentioned, we made some decisions, one of which was the radiator, which was ordered from Summit and will be arriving at Rick's house on Tuesday. With that we will finalize the front support, bumper mounts and grille attachment. This weekend we simply moved the doglegs forward where Pete securely welded them into place. So personally I really didn't do much other than make suggestions but I feel those were valuable as well. Rick's able assistance in that area helped assure that all was in order. The "new guys", Tom, Dik, and Jim (last name started with "V" if I recall correctly) were immensely helpful in too many ways to recount.

In the end, we rolled the car out, much closer to being roadworthy than it was before and quite satisfied with our efforts. Another weekend like that, maybe two, and some time spent tuning and we'll be very close to ready for the meet.

The one thing that needs to be settled however is the matter of the rear flares. I was a bit surprised to see that photo of the Sebring fender on the car, hadn't realized Pete had the photo to post. But doesn't the car look GREAT?!! Is it just me, or is that exactly in keeping with the character of the build? Already being at the point of glass fenders it really isn't much of a stretch from there to Sebring but look at how much better it matches with the wheels and what an aggressive stance it gives the car! If we could do something comparable at the rear the end result will be something that every single adolescent boy with an ounce of red blood in his veins is going to simply drool over! Much as we may have graduated to a more moderate approach, don't forget that this audience is who we want to reach with our message about the synergies of big American engines and little British sports cars. If you like this look please let us know. So many surprise benefits have come our way in this build that this should certainly be thought of as a possibility. Of course matching the rear to that should be a priority, and I for one just wonder if there's any chance that someone like Bill G with his newly acquired skills on the wheel might come up with something for us.

Jim



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/2009 10:59PM by BlownMGB-V8.

I had a great time at Pete's. We did get a lot done. Jim has covered the work we did.
Just wanted to say thanks to Pete and ARick for having us there. Stayed at Rick's and really had a great time.
Met new people and worked well with them, I don't always play well with others.
I do hope to make the next work weekend and hope to see some more people there.
The Sebring fender look great, hope we can get them.
Steve

I'll second that emotion regarding the Sebring front fenders.....even if the ARE fibreglass! ;)

re: The "new guys", Tom, Dik, and Jim (last name started with "V" if I recall correctly) were immensely helpful in too many ways to recount.



That would be Tom Bowles, Dik Sleeth, and Jim Zivic.

Sebring fender looks great. Gives it a more muscular look! You got my vote.

I don't think those fenders are available. I do think a mold should be made from them real quick! ;)

I think ***those particular**** fenders just *****might***** be available.

Here's the new radiator...arrived today from Summit:

You guys wanta put this on the car?

OK...I give....WTF if that?

old.

Really? Nobody recognizes it?

It looks like an old detonator to me.

Dale

Naw... C'mon guys, surely somebody here is old enough to have seen one of these before. It *is* automotive.

no clue here. looks like some sort of early battery, but not aware if early ones were a dry cell of some sort.

Some kind of a big capacitor?

Some kind of a big capacitor?