MG Sports Cars

We decided to mill the top surface of the air cleaner, then Pete's going to powder coat it. Here's a photo:



I had Spring Grove sheet metal bend up a slam panel out of polished stainless (a $75 value, they are a contributor) but I don't have a photo for you yet. It still has the white protective plastic on it and I need to figure out the ends where it attaches to the body. Luckily I bought the same radiator for my RD so once I get my car on the lift and modify the front end for the new radiator I can make it fit my car and it should fit the Roadmaster. (I had them bend two panels, and naturally I paid for mine.) Since I'm nearing completion of the intake for my car that should happen in a couple weeks or so. Then I'll ship the parts to Pete and hopefully he or someone else can fit them to the car.

JB

That looks a lot better, Jim!

What colour for powder coating?

Well, by now some may be tired of hearing me say Buick Red, but to me that would be the logical choice. That was the only color used on these by Buick and purely for the recognition factor I'd stay with the stock original color. Considering that these air cleaners are not only scarce but highly prized by Buick enthusiasts and therefore highly recognized not only for their distinctive shape but for the difficulty and expense of obtaining them, I think this gives us an immediate advantage in recognition from that group that we ought not squander by changing the color. After all, how many people do you know who will go out and pay upwards of $500 just for an air cleaner? But these guys do, and willingly. IF they can find one.

I realize this impacts our color choice for the car itself and limits us to a complimentary color choice. We'll take a vote at the summer meet on that if someone wants to enter a motion and can discuss it in the meantime. Personally I think red is a good color for the car itself and think black would also be real sharp but like the rest of you I have one vote. So if you have a particular color in mind you might want to think about drumming up support for it. However, I am most definitely opposed to any pastel color and if you guys decide to paint it pink you'll have my resignation on the spot.

JB

That top looks a whole lot better even if it's missing the original texture. Nice work Jim. There were just too many voids in that casting to leave it that way. With the Roadmaster logos on either side and perhaps the Buick or MG logo built into a hold down screw it will be the crowing glory for that 455.
The way the air cleaner juts through the hood I think it really needs to be painted or powder coated in a color that blends with the final color of the car. As an example, and I'm not advocating this color combination, if we were to paint the car white with a blue stripe similar to what Steve did on his car then I'd paint the air cleaner blue to match the stripe. A red car with a white stripe, then the air cleaner would be white. That Buick red is nice, but I'd think that color against most backgrounds other than white or a matching red would make it stand out a bit too much.

Hi Jim,

It definately looks much better.
Send it to the shop when you want it powdercoated.

Cheers
Pete

Thanks Pete. I'd figure 2-3 weeks.

Bill, maybe I'm just confused but I don't get it. How much is too much? I'm thinking, here we'll have a car with fat tires, swoopy bodywork, the engine sticking through the hood, and all kinds of sponsor artwork and contributor's names all over the body and you're worried we might stand out a little too much??? I'm thinking that's a mighty fine line you're drawing there ol' buddy.

JB

Can you powdercoat it in plaid for Bill?

"Considering that these air cleaners are not only scarce but highly prized by Buick enthusiasts and therefore highly recognized not only for their distinctive shape but for the difficulty and expense of obtaining them, I think this gives us an immediate advantage in recognition from that group that we ought not squander by changing the color. After all, how many people do you know who will go out and pay upwards of $500 just for an air cleaner? But these guys do, and willingly. IF they can find one. "

Do it up in Buick Red & we'll have to put a padlock on it. ;)

Not to worry Carl, ours is not original so they probably wouldn't want it, especially after we milled the top off. But they would definitely do a double take when they caught a glimpse of it.

JB

"He's a Lumberjack and he's OK..."

Jim, there are things that stand out in a good way and things that don't. I want it to be one of the former like a pair of 36Ds on a high school cheerleader not like a zit on the end of her nose. Both stand out but I'd bet I know which you'd most likely look at. LOL

Dan, I'm looking for a pink plaid shirt for Indy!

Bill, I don't know if Pete can do a tartan powdercoat job, it seems to me it'd be a very difficult thing to do. But if he can would a Stewart tartan satisfy you? At least that wouldn't clash with the engine block and Jackie Stewart already set a precedent by wearing it on his crash helmet. (-;

JB

Aluminum sometimes looks really good polished, "brushed", and/or simply left to develop a natural patina. Pete can mask and then only apply powder to part of the air cleaner, right? Perhaps it would look badass with some parts flat black (or whatever) and other parts like the edges of the ribs in natural/brushed aluminum?

(I wouldn't suggest clear powdercoat on aluminum... Often looks like hell when it ages.)

Curtis may be on to something. Would definitely allow for more color scheme options. Or could just hold off caoting till after the summer meet - would save postage and color would allow for color vote 1st.

As an outsider... I just realized that air cleaner is begging for some old school pin striping. ... I'm just say'n.

I have polished aluminum on my MG & Camaro wheels. My opinion is it's a PITA. Chrome it or powder coat it.

If i'm thinking right there is a product called zoop seal for polished aluminum that holds the shine for a long time, I havent looked but it might be found on a link @ gearztv.com

[www.zoopseal.com]

RE: I have polished aluminum on my MG & Camaro wheels. My opinion is it's a PITA. Chrome it or powder coat it.

Given the polished brackets & pulleys I have for engine accessories, i'm hoping that zoopseal stuff works!

Money report:

We have $752.08 in the account now that Bill has bought the flares. Thanks Bill.
I will not be skipping the country with this large amount of money.

Steve

Country, no.

County.....I doubt that, too!