Wilsons Sandbox

Doug, Although I am not the original owner of my TC exu, I do not believe it was re-sprayed before I bought it from its prior owner. The car is black, with black bumper brackets. Ben Gilbert

----- Original Message ----- From: "Doug Pelton" DougPelton@cox.net> To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2005 4:51 PM Subject: [mg-tabc] TC EXU Paint > > Greetings, > > I am researching the original paint scheme for an EXU. Obviously, the > colors have been established a long time ago. However, I talking to Al Moss > recently, he states that the original EXU cars were painted with the rear > bumper and license plate brackets painted the same color as the body. > Additionally, Bob Seymour (Abingdon Spares) has also seen this paint scheme > on the EXU but did not know if original or painted afterwards. > > Can anyone validate this? Does anyone have an EXU that was original owner > or now owns one that they knew this to be true? Has anyone ever restored an > EXU and found the underlying paint the same as the body. Any original EXU > photos? I have only seen the brackets painted black, which is the same as > the chassis. > > Thanks in advance for your replies. > > EXUtagonally, > > Doug Pelton > Mesa, AZ > 48 TC 7410 EXU > 49 TC 7670 EXU > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > >

Doug, The rear bumper brackets for my EXU show traces of the original Clipper Blue. I've also seen the bits from another EXU that were still the original body color. Not conclusive evidence, but at least its not contradictory. Paint the car black then you won't have to worry about it Regards, Charles Hill -------------- Original message from "Doug Pelton" DougPelton@cox.net>: --------------

> > Greetings, > > I am researching the original paint scheme for an EXU. Obviously, the > colors have been established a long time ago. However, I talking to Al Moss > recently, he states that the original EXU cars were painted with the rear > bumper and license plate brackets painted the same color as the body. > Additionally, Bob Seymour (Abingdon Spares) has also seen this paint scheme > on the EXU but did not know if original or painted afterwards. > > Can anyone validate this? Does anyone have an EXU that was original owner > or now owns one that they knew this to be true? Has anyone ever restored an > EXU and found the underlying paint the same as the body. Any original EXU > photos? I have only seen the brackets painted black, which is the same as > the chassis. > > Thanks in advance for your replies. > > EXUtagonally, > > Doug Pelton > Mesa, AZ > 48 TC 7410 EXU > 49 TC 7670 EXU > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > >

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Mine is an original Black EXU and I have black brackets. TC8862 EXU

----- Original Message ----- From: candahill@worldnet.att.net> To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2005 4:22 PM Subject: Re: [mg-tabc] TC EXU Paint > > Doug, > > The rear bumper brackets for my EXU show traces of the original Clipper Blue. I've also seen the bits from another EXU that were still the original body color. Not conclusive evidence, but at least its not contradictory. > > Paint the car black then you won't have to worry about it > > Regards, > Charles Hill > > -------------- Original message from "Doug Pelton" DougPelton@cox.net>: -------------- > > > > > > Greetings, > > > > I am researching the original paint scheme for an EXU. Obviously, the > > colors have been established a long time ago. However, I talking to Al Moss > > recently, he states that the original EXU cars were painted with the rear > > bumper and license plate brackets painted the same color as the body. > > Additionally, Bob Seymour (Abingdon Spares) has also seen this paint scheme > > on the EXU but did not know if original or painted afterwards. > > > > Can anyone validate this? Does anyone have an EXU that was original owner > > or now owns one that they knew this to be true? Has anyone ever restored an > > EXU and found the underlying paint the same as the body. Any original EXU > > photos? I have only seen the brackets painted black, which is the same as > > the chassis. > > > > Thanks in advance for your replies. > > > > EXUtagonally, > > > > Doug Pelton > > Mesa, AZ > > 48 TC 7410 EXU > > 49 TC 7670 EXU > > > > > > > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > >

Well folks here is the TC EXU Paint, summary of findings: I received a few emails, (many thanks to those that replied, stating that the original body color was used to paint the EXU bumper brackets but they were not conclusive. However, I discovered an EXU located in Los Angeles that is owned by Joe Douglas who bought the car brand new and has never painted it. The number is 7383 which is #4 in the pecking order of EXU's as # 7380 is the first. I traveled to LA today to see with my own eyes exactly what was what on this untouched car. I took lots of photos and afterwards followed Joe to the Santa Monica pier where the MG TC Guild of LA had there monthly outing. What fun to see the car and follow it down the freeway to the beach. Anyway here's what I found: The original body paint color was used to paint the following on 48 TC EXU #7383: All bumper brackets from the frame to the bumper. For the rear bumper, this included brackets to frame, cross member, all license plate brackets, "J" brackets to bumper and also the reinforcement bar behind the bumper blade itself. All associated bolts attaching these items were also body color. The front bumper support brackets were also painted body color. In other words everything associated with the bumpers themselves except the chrome blade itself. The front radiator grill slats were also painted body color. Now this is contrary to the longstanding rule that the grill slats are supposed to be the same as the interior color. Again, as we have seen, nothing can be for sure on the MG. And I am sure this will renew the debate. Also, the color of the brake drums were originally body color. Joe told me that he changed his drum color a while back to black when he had done some work on them, but assured me that they were also body color when he bought the car. Headlight bracket was body color and also the bolt attaching it to the radiator bracket that comes through the shell. This confirms previous printings of originality on this subject item. The MG emblem background (on both the 2 piece aluminum carb intake and the rear bumper medallion) was also painted body color. However, this could not be verified because Joe could not remember these items specifically whether he had painted these himself or if they came that way. So this is not conclusive and will remain an open item unless someone else can verify this. My intent is to only report what I saw and know to be true. I am sure this is not absolute and there are probably other variations. However, from my perspective, anyone wanting to replicate the above paint scheme on an EXU would certainly be in the bounds of originality. I would like to personally thank Joe Douglas for sharing his time and making his car available for viewing. Let the debates begin. EXUtagonally, Doug Pelton Mesa, AZ 48 TC 7410 EXU 49 TC 7670 EXU -----Original Message----- From: Doug Pelton [mailto:DougPelton@cox.net] Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2005 2:52 PM To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com Subject: TC EXU Paint Greetings, I am researching the original paint scheme for an EXU. Obviously, the colors have been established a long time ago. However, I talking to Al Moss recently, he states that the original EXU cars were painted with the rear bumper and license plate brackets painted the same color as the body. Additionally, Bob Seymour (Abingdon Spares) has also seen this paint scheme on the EXU but did not know if original or painted afterwards. Can anyone validate this? Does anyone have an EXU that was original owner or now owns one that they knew this to be true? Has anyone ever restored an EXU and found the underlying paint the same as the body. Any original EXU photos? I have only seen the brackets painted black, which is the same as the chassis. Thanks in advance for your replies. EXUtagonally, Doug Pelton Mesa, AZ 48 TC 7410 EXU 49 TC 7670 EXU

Doug, A good report. Of course it never enough. What color is Joe's car? As I understand, that may have some bearing on the radiator slats being body color vs interior color. I'm also not surprised about the brake drums being painted body color. It was done occasionally for some special cars such as show cars, so why not the first of the EXUs? When I bought TC EXU 7387, the drums were painted a non-original body color so I don't know what they were originally. A couple of other questions: What type of steering wheel did the car come with, standard TC wheel or the "EXU" wheel? Does it have a fuse box for the horns below the regulator like later EXUs? Mine doesn't and doesn't have any evidence of one ever being there. If not, is it somewhere else? I don't have any idea. My car has been worked on quite a bit and sometimes I'm not sure what is original and what isn't. Regards, Charles Hill Doug Pelton wrote:

>Well folks here is the TC EXU Paint, summary of findings: > >I received a few emails, (many thanks to those that replied, stating that >the original body color was used to paint the EXU bumper brackets but they >were not conclusive. However, I discovered an EXU located in Los Angeles >that is owned by Joe Douglas who bought the car brand new and has never >painted it. The number is 7383 which is #4 in the pecking order of EXU's as ># 7380 is the first. I traveled to LA today to see with my own eyes exactly >what was what on this untouched car. I took lots of photos and afterwards >followed Joe to the Santa Monica pier where the MG TC Guild of LA had there >monthly outing. What fun to see the car and follow it down the freeway to >the beach. Anyway here's what I found: > > >The original body paint color was used to paint the following on 48 TC EXU >#7383: > >All bumper brackets from the frame to the bumper. For the rear bumper, this >included brackets to frame, cross member, all license plate brackets, "J" >brackets to bumper and also the reinforcement bar behind the bumper blade >itself. All associated bolts attaching these items were also body color. >The front bumper support brackets were also painted body color. In other >words everything associated with the bumpers themselves except the chrome >blade itself. > >The front radiator grill slats were also painted body color. Now this is >contrary to the longstanding rule that the grill slats are supposed to be >the same as the interior color. Again, as we have seen, nothing can be for >sure on the MG. And I am sure this will renew the debate. > >Also, the color of the brake drums were originally body color. Joe told me >that he changed his drum color a while back to black when he had done some >work on them, but assured me that they were also body color when he bought >the car. > >Headlight bracket was body color and also the bolt attaching it to the >radiator bracket that comes through the shell. This confirms previous >printings of originality on this subject item. > >The MG emblem background (on both the 2 piece aluminum carb intake and the >rear bumper medallion) was also painted body color. However, this could not >be verified because Joe could not remember these items specifically whether >he had painted these himself or if they came that way. So this is not >conclusive and will remain an open item unless someone else can verify this. > >My intent is to only report what I saw and know to be true. I am sure this >is not absolute and there are probably other variations. However, from my >perspective, anyone wanting to replicate the above paint scheme on an EXU >would certainly be in the bounds of originality. > >I would like to personally thank Joe Douglas for sharing his time and making >his car available for viewing. > >Let the debates begin. > >EXUtagonally, > >Doug Pelton >Mesa, AZ >48 TC 7410 EXU >49 TC 7670 EXU > >-----Original Message----- >From: Doug Pelton [mailto:DougPelton@cox.net] >Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2005 2:52 PM >To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com >Subject: TC EXU Paint > > >Greetings, > >I am researching the original paint scheme for an EXU. Obviously, the >colors have been established a long time ago. However, I talking to Al Moss >recently, he states that the original EXU cars were painted with the rear >bumper and license plate brackets painted the same color as the body. >Additionally, Bob Seymour (Abingdon Spares) has also seen this paint scheme >on the EXU but did not know if original or painted afterwards. > >Can anyone validate this? Does anyone have an EXU that was original owner >or now owns one that they knew this to be true? Has anyone ever restored an >EXU and found the underlying paint the same as the body. Any original EXU >photos? I have only seen the brackets painted black, which is the same as >the chassis. > >Thanks in advance for your replies. > >EXUtagonally, > >Doug Pelton >Mesa, AZ >48 TC 7410 EXU >49 TC 7670 EXU > > > > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > >

Yes Doug, so the car was BLACK?? confirming all brackets etc are black I can't add anything to EXU colours as when I bought TC-8654 EXU in 1967 it had been painted several times and was red with bright yellow wheels when I got it. Still had original green upholstery. Original colour was sequia cream. I stripped the car without noting any colours except the original exterior cream and the green upholstery colours. And it did have a horn fuse box. Bob Grunau Well folks here is the TC EXU Paint, summary of findings: I received a few emails, (many thanks to those that replied, stating that the original body color was used to paint the EXU bumper brackets but they were not conclusive. However, I discovered an EXU located in Los Angeles that is owned by Joe Douglas who bought the car brand new and has never painted it. The number is 7383 which is #4 in the pecking order of EXU's as # 7380 is the first. I traveled to LA today to see with my own eyes exactly what was what on this untouched car. I took lots of photos and afterwards followed Joe to the Santa Monica pier where the MG TC Guild of LA had there monthly outing. What fun to see the car and follow it down the freeway to the beach. Anyway here's what I found: The original body paint color was used to paint the following on 48 TC EXU #7383: All bumper brackets from the frame to the bumper. For the rear bumper, this included brackets to frame, cross member, all license plate brackets, "J" brackets to bumper and also the reinforcement bar behind the bumper blade itself. All associated bolts attaching these items were also body color. The front bumper support brackets were also painted body color. In other words everything associated with the bumpers themselves except the chrome blade itself. The front radiator grill slats were also painted body color. Now this is contrary to the longstanding rule that the grill slats are supposed to be the same as the interior color. Again, as we have seen, nothing can be for sure on the MG. And I am sure this will renew the debate. Also, the color of the brake drums were originally body color. Joe told me that he changed his drum color a while back to black when he had done some work on them, but assured me that they were also body color when he bought the car. Headlight bracket was body color and also the bolt attaching it to the radiator bracket that comes through the shell. This confirms previous printings of originality on this subject item. The MG emblem background (on both the 2 piece aluminum carb intake and the rear bumper medallion) was also painted body color. However, this could not be verified because Joe could not remember these items specifically whether he had painted these himself or if they came that way. So this is not conclusive and will remain an open item unless someone else can verify this. My intent is to only report what I saw and know to be true. I am sure this is not absolute and there are probably other variations. However, from my perspective, anyone wanting to replicate the above paint scheme on an EXU would certainly be in the bounds of originality. I would like to personally thank Joe Douglas for sharing his time and making his car available for viewing. Let the debates begin. EXUtagonally, Doug Pelton Mesa, AZ 48 TC 7410 EXU 49 TC 7670 EXU

Good questions so here's some other info: (For the non-EXU folks, you may still find this of interest) Color: The color of TC 7383 EXU was clipper blue. Steering wheel: 3 spoke gold pearl. Badge bar: The badge bar brackets where the same as standard TCs that have the tab to hold the light and horn. However, later TC EXU's badge bar brackets did not have the tabs because EXUs did not have the light or horn mounted on the front. I know this to be true because my EXU 7670 brackets have just been stripped for repaint. They where a steel casted bracket with original paint at the bottom layer matching the original paint of the car (Regency Red) and the tabs are not there. I have photos of other EXUs with and without the tabs. I have to assume, that this is the case of the factory running out and using whatever is available. It appears that either can be original on an EXU but the reverse, a "tabless" badge bar bracket would not be original on a standard TC. Horn fuse block: The early EXUs did not have a fuse block. Joe Douglas's TC 7383 EXU did not and also both my EXUs 7410 and 7670. The first EXU that I am aware of with a fuse block is Bob Seymour's EXU #8153. The fuse block is mounted on the side of the battery box below the horn and at the 4 o'clock position of the voltage regulator. I have not sorted out the difference in the wiring scheme (haven't gotten to that point yet on my car) but hotwired directly to the negative post on the battery. this wire goes through a hole in the side of the battery box and has a rubber grommet to pass through. I know that Jim Sullivan has a fuse block on his car which is EXU 7515. However, it is mounted on the scuttle above the control cable box. Although he says that is original to his car, I suspect is was added afterwards. I would like to hear from any other EXU owners on this subject to validate the fuse block. Headlamps: What a surprise. The original headlamps where Lucas cat's eye 7" semi-sealed lenses. I have seen the 8" but not the 7". I am interested in locating a pair for my show car if anyone has a set laying on a shelf. Battery: I have been asking for the past year if anyone has a battery hold down bracket for a TC. Some have said they do but they are very rare. Now I know why they are rare. Because there never was one. The original battery was made by Lucas and included a tab extension on each end that the 1/4" bolt/rod went through and screwed into the "D" in the bottom of the battery case. How do I know this? Joe Douglas showed me the exact original battery that came with the car. He has saved it all these years (55), what a piece of TC history! Battery Cables: I often wondered if the original battery cables on an EXU had the Lucas helmet or standard US battery post clamp. Here's the answer. The EXUs were imported with the "Lucas helmet" connectors to fit the above mentioned battery. Of course what happened in the US after the original battery had to be replaced? You got it, the battery cables were also replaced to accommodate a US standard battery post and the Lucas helmets were trashed. Joe's EXU has the original Lucas helmets, just as it came. He uses a stand US battery and drills a hole in the top of the post to accommodate the screw to hold down the helmet. Battery Cable material: The negative cable (to the starter) was covered in a woven material but was impregnated with a plastic coating so that it was almost smooth to the touch. The Positive end also had a Lucas helmet, flat braded copper wire, and was bolted to the inside of the battery box with the nut on the outside of the battery box. Ignition wires: The ignition wires on Joe's car where also the original. The wires where covered again in a woven material that was impregnated with a plastic material. As Joe says, 'If the engine runs good why do the wires need to be replaced?' BTW, he has 100,000+ miles on his car and it runs like a top. I had to keep up with him on the Santa Monica Freeway while following him to the beach for an MG Club function. The tail lights were the EXU standard bullet shaped lights. these were bolted to the gas tank using a standard 1/4" BSF bolt with lock washer. Nothing fancy, no dome headed chrome bolt. The tail lights were painted the same as the body color and the bracket and bolt. I have seen these EXU lights and brackets that are chrome but believe this is an aftermarket replacement. The originals were painted. Rear View Mirror: The EXUs have a rear view mirror that is mounted on the center of the scuttle top. The original mirror was a DESMO "B-ham" with a convex curved mirror. You can tell an original mirror by the tension nut on the back that is a pleasantly round domed shaped nut. Also the small screws holding the mirror frame are round head. Aftermarket or copy mirrors have a squared/flat domed tension nut and pan head screws holding the frame. I am sure that the convex mirror is an original trait of the EXU. My EXU 7670 has the convex mirror. However, my EXU 7410 has the original DESMO mirror but a flat surfaced mirror. Can anyone tell me about their EXU mirrors? I suspect that both surfaces were original. EXUtagonally, Doug Pelton Mesa, AZ 48 TC 7410 EXU 49 TC 7670 EXU -----Original Message----- From: Charles Hill [mailto:candahill@worldnet.att.net] Sent: Sunday, February 13, 2005 11:28 PM Cc: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [mg-tabc] FW: TC EXU Paint Doug, A good report. Of course it never enough. What color is Joe's car? As I understand, that may have some bearing on the radiator slats being body color vs interior color. I'm also not surprised about the brake drums being painted body color. It was done occasionally for some special cars such as show cars, so why not the first of the EXUs? When I bought TC EXU 7387, the drums were painted a non-original body color so I don't know what they were originally. A couple of other questions: What type of steering wheel did the car come with, standard TC wheel or the "EXU" wheel? Does it have a fuse box for the horns below the regulator like later EXUs? Mine doesn't and doesn't have any evidence of one ever being there. If not, is it somewhere else? I don't have any idea. My car has been worked on quite a bit and sometimes I'm not sure what is original and what isn't. Regards, Charles Hill Doug Pelton wrote:

>Well folks here is the TC EXU Paint, summary of findings: > >I received a few emails, (many thanks to those that replied, stating that >the original body color was used to paint the EXU bumper brackets but they >were not conclusive. However, I discovered an EXU located in Los Angeles >that is owned by Joe Douglas who bought the car brand new and has never >painted it. The number is 7383 which is #4 in the pecking order of EXU's

as

># 7380 is the first. I traveled to LA today to see with my own eyes

exactly

>what was what on this untouched car. I took lots of photos and afterwards >followed Joe to the Santa Monica pier where the MG TC Guild of LA had there >monthly outing. What fun to see the car and follow it down the freeway to >the beach. Anyway here's what I found: > > >The original body paint color was used to paint the following on 48 TC EXU >#7383: > >All bumper brackets from the frame to the bumper. For the rear bumper,

this

>included brackets to frame, cross member, all license plate brackets, "J" >brackets to bumper and also the reinforcement bar behind the bumper blade >itself. All associated bolts attaching these items were also body color. >The front bumper support brackets were also painted body color. In other >words everything associated with the bumpers themselves except the chrome >blade itself. > >The front radiator grill slats were also painted body color. Now this is >contrary to the longstanding rule that the grill slats are supposed to be >the same as the interior color. Again, as we have seen, nothing can be for >sure on the MG. And I am sure this will renew the debate. > >Also, the color of the brake drums were originally body color. Joe told me >that he changed his drum color a while back to black when he had done some >work on them, but assured me that they were also body color when he bought >the car. > >Headlight bracket was body color and also the bolt attaching it to the >radiator bracket that comes through the shell. This confirms previous >printings of originality on this subject item. > >The MG emblem background (on both the 2 piece aluminum carb intake and the >rear bumper medallion) was also painted body color. However, this could

not

>be verified because Joe could not remember these items specifically whether >he had painted these himself or if they came that way. So this is not >conclusive and will remain an open item unless someone else can verify

this.

> >My intent is to only report what I saw and know to be true. I am sure this >is not absolute and there are probably other variations. However, from my >perspective, anyone wanting to replicate the above paint scheme on an EXU >would certainly be in the bounds of originality. > >I would like to personally thank Joe Douglas for sharing his time and

making

>his car available for viewing. > >Let the debates begin. > >EXUtagonally, > >Doug Pelton >Mesa, AZ >48 TC 7410 EXU >49 TC 7670 EXU > >-----Original Message----- >From: Doug Pelton [mailto:DougPelton@cox.net] >Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2005 2:52 PM >To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com >Subject: TC EXU Paint > > >Greetings, > >I am researching the original paint scheme for an EXU. Obviously, the >colors have been established a long time ago. However, I talking to Al

Moss

>recently, he states that the original EXU cars were painted with the rear >bumper and license plate brackets painted the same color as the body. >Additionally, Bob Seymour (Abingdon Spares) has also seen this paint scheme >on the EXU but did not know if original or painted afterwards. > >Can anyone validate this? Does anyone have an EXU that was original owner >or now owns one that they knew this to be true? Has anyone ever restored

an

>EXU and found the underlying paint the same as the body. Any original EXU >photos? I have only seen the brackets painted black, which is the same as >the chassis. > >Thanks in advance for your replies. > >EXUtagonally, > >Doug Pelton >Mesa, AZ >48 TC 7410 EXU >49 TC 7670 EXU > > > > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > >

Yahoo! Groups Links

This is forwarded to the TABC group for comment. Doug Pelton -----Original Message----- From: Al Moss [mailto:racermoss@mac.com] Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 10:34 AM To: Doug Pelton Subject: Re: FW: [mg-tabc] FW: TC EXU Paint

> Hi again, Doug:

I just finished reading all of the comments re EXU and wish to pass on a few comments of my own. As I told you, I have owned my TC since new (9/13/48) and serviced many brand new TCs after opening my first shop in 1949 (not 1948 as Moss Motors believes!) My memory is still pretty reliable but not perfect. Some things I remember FOR SURE and some are a bit hazy. Also, I have slides taken when my TC was new, including engine compartment shots, so here goes: Brake drums: the early TCs, until I would guess mid '49, came with flat black brake drums, each one having a white stenciled 2-digit number (approx 1-1/2 " high) sprayed on which could be seen with the wheel in place. There was no consistency to these numbers: they did not match on a particular car and I assumed they were probably factory lot numbers. You will certainly not find these existing today. I doubt that ALL EXUs had the painted bumper brackets, etc. All rear turn lights were painted body color. I do recall the later EXUs, if not all, having the smaller headlamps but don't remember anything but sealed beam units. I was the first L. A. Rootes dealer in 1950 and all cars came over with heavy brown paper in place of light units and in L. A. we were issued sealed beam units to install. As an aside, occasionally in the late '40s there would be crackdowns at dealerships where all Briddish cars had to be fitted with sealed beams and in the TCs a floor dimmer switch had to be installed! I remember a beautiful new Rolls Royce with hand-made adapters to install sealed beams. Also, turn lights had to be installed on TCs before they could be sold. No bumper requirements, although there were many aftermarket TC bumpers made and sold in Southern California. I am sure the MG insignia on the air intake manifold was unpainted originally. Probably the same for the rear bumper medallion. Badge bar brackets: This I found most interesting. No EXUs came with a bar mounted horn or light but the ears were there on the 2 brackets. In one of the many "lot buy-outs" I made from dealers, distributors and importers, I had a small quantity of earless brackets with a 6-digit factor part number. I sort of assumed that they were an accessory item to mount a badge bar on a TD, but perhaps they WERE for later EXUs, or both? I think these went to Skip Kelsey when I moved to Sedona in 1997. He may still have a few. Electrics: Yes, the all TC batteries had ears with long brass bolts to hold down. I am sure that the factory would never have run a wire directly to the battery for any purpose whatsoever. I really don't remember any TC with those truly horrible "helmut" cables, although I do remember drilling into many new replacement batteries in Briddish cars--definitely TDs, etc. Mirrors: I don't recall any TCs with factory-installed center mirrors but perhaps the EXUs were so equipped. Steering wheels: I would enter into this one but my guess is that at a certain point the factory went from black wheels (with black instrument panel and map lights) to "gold" in all three and never went back to black. The factory never supplied anything but 3-spoke wheels. I still have a pretty good collection of old original factory parts books and number supersessions and later I'll see what EXU info, if any, I can dig up. I also have copies of much if not all original factory specs, both for parts and for hardware and have found many instances where production deviated from the original specs. I mention this because i have found through the years that it is IMPOSSIBLE to determine authenticity in may cases. So there! al (Hey, Joe Douglas: Hi! Come visit here in Sedona soon)

>

FWIW and knowing liitle about TC EXUs I am adding my two pence. Along with the TC I have a YT EXU. The YT EXU first appeared in July 1948 several months before the TC EXU. My theory is that the wiring layout of the TC EXU was taken virtualy unchanged from the YT EXU and that should have included the fuse horn box mounted as is Jim Sullivans. Go to > www.mgytypes.org >Good questions so here's some other info: (For the non-EXU folks, you may >still find this of interest) > >Color: The color of TC 7383 EXU was clipper blue. > >Steering wheel: 3 spoke gold pearl. > >Badge bar: The badge bar brackets where the same as standard TCs that have >the tab to hold the light and horn. However, later TC EXU's badge bar >brackets did not have the tabs because EXUs did not have the light or horn >mounted on the front. I know this to be true because my EXU 7670 brackets >have just been stripped for repaint. They where a steel casted bracket with >original paint at the bottom layer matching the original paint of the car >(Regency Red) and the tabs are not there. I have photos of other EXUs with >and without the tabs. I have to assume, that this is the case of the >factory running out and using whatever is available. It appears that either >can be original on an EXU but the reverse, a "tabless" badge bar bracket >would not be original on a standard TC. > >Horn fuse block: The early EXUs did not have a fuse block. Joe Douglas's >TC 7383 EXU did not and also both my EXUs 7410 and 7670. The first EXU that >I am aware of with a fuse block is Bob Seymour's EXU #8153. The fuse block >is mounted on the side of the battery box below the horn and at the 4 >o'clock position of the voltage regulator. I have not sorted out the >difference in the wiring scheme (haven't gotten to that point yet on my car) >but hotwired directly to the negative post on the battery. this wire goes >through a hole in the side of the battery box and has a rubber grommet to >pass through. I know that Jim Sullivan has a fuse block on his car which is >EXU 7515. However, it is mounted on the scuttle above the control cable >box. Although he says that is original to his car, I suspect is was added >afterwards. I would like to hear from any other EXU owners on this subject >to validate the fuse block. > >Headlamps: What a surprise. The original headlamps where Lucas cat's eye >7" semi-sealed lenses. I have seen the 8" but not the 7". I am interested >in locating a pair for my show car if anyone has a set laying on a shelf. > >Battery: I have been asking for the past year if anyone has a battery hold >down bracket for a TC. Some have said they do but they are very rare. Now >I know why they are rare. Because there never was one. The original >battery was made by Lucas and included a tab extension on each end that the >1/4" bolt/rod went through and screwed into the "D" in the bottom of the >battery case. How do I know this? Joe Douglas showed me the exact original >battery that came with the car. He has saved it all these years (55), what >a piece of TC history! > >Battery Cables: I often wondered if the original battery cables on an EXU >had the Lucas helmet or standard US battery post clamp. Here's the answer. >The EXUs were imported with the "Lucas helmet" connectors to fit the above >mentioned battery. Of course what happened in the US after the original >battery had to be replaced? You got it, the battery cables were also >replaced to accommodate a US standard battery post and the Lucas helmets >were trashed. Joe's EXU has the original Lucas helmets, just as it came. >He uses a stand US battery and drills a hole in the top of the post to >accommodate the screw to hold down the helmet. > >Battery Cable material: The negative cable (to the starter) was covered in >a woven material but was impregnated with a plastic coating so that it was >almost smooth to the touch. The Positive end also had a Lucas helmet, flat >braded copper wire, and was bolted to the inside of the battery box with the >nut on the outside of the battery box. > >Ignition wires: The ignition wires on Joe's car where also the original. >The wires where covered again in a woven material that was impregnated with >a plastic material. As Joe says, 'If the engine runs good why do the wires >need to be replaced?' BTW, he has 100,000+ miles on his car and it runs >like a top. I had to keep up with him on the Santa Monica Freeway while >following him to the beach for an MG Club function. > >The tail lights were the EXU standard bullet shaped lights. these were >bolted to the gas tank using a standard 1/4" BSF bolt with lock washer. >Nothing fancy, no dome headed chrome bolt. The tail lights were painted the >same as the body color and the bracket and bolt. I have seen these EXU >lights and brackets that are chrome but believe this is an aftermarket >replacement. The originals were painted. > >Rear View Mirror: The EXUs have a rear view mirror that is mounted on the >center of the scuttle top. The original mirror was a DESMO "B-ham" with a >convex curved mirror. You can tell an original mirror by the tension nut on >the back that is a pleasantly round domed shaped nut. Also the small screws >holding the mirror frame are round head. Aftermarket or copy mirrors have a >squared/flat domed tension nut and pan head screws holding the frame. I am >sure that the convex mirror is an original trait of the EXU. My EXU 7670 >has the convex mirror. However, my EXU 7410 has the original DESMO mirror >but a flat surfaced mirror. Can anyone tell me about their EXU mirrors? I >suspect that both surfaces were original. > >EXUtagonally, > >Doug Pelton >Mesa, AZ >48 TC 7410 EXU >49 TC 7670 EXU > > > >-----Original Message----- >From: Charles Hill [mailto:candahill@worldnet.att.net] >Sent: Sunday, February 13, 2005 11:28 PM >Cc: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com >Subject: Re: [mg-tabc] FW: TC EXU Paint > > > >Doug, > >A good report. Of course it never enough. What color is Joe's car? As >I understand, that may have some bearing on the radiator slats being >body color vs interior color. I'm also not surprised about the brake >drums being painted body color. It was done occasionally for some >special cars such as show cars, so why not the first of the EXUs? When >I bought TC EXU 7387, the drums were painted a non-original body color >so I don't know what they were originally. > >A couple of other questions: What type of steering wheel did the car >come with, standard TC wheel or the "EXU" wheel? Does it have a fuse >box for the horns below the regulator like later EXUs? Mine doesn't and >doesn't have any evidence of one ever being there. If not, is it >somewhere else? I don't have any idea. My car has been worked on quite >a bit and sometimes I'm not sure what is original and what isn't. > >Regards, >Charles Hill > >Doug Pelton wrote: > > > >>Well folks here is the TC EXU Paint, summary of findings: >> >>I received a few emails, (many thanks to those that replied, stating that >>the original body color was used to paint the EXU bumper brackets but they >>were not conclusive. However, I discovered an EXU located in Los Angeles >>that is owned by Joe Douglas who bought the car brand new and has never >>painted it. The number is 7383 which is #4 in the pecking order of EXU's >> >> >as > > >># 7380 is the first. I traveled to LA today to see with my own eyes >> >> >exactly > > >>what was what on this untouched car. I took lots of photos and afterwards >>followed Joe to the Santa Monica pier where the MG TC Guild of LA had there >>monthly outing. What fun to see the car and follow it down the freeway to >>the beach. Anyway here's what I found: >> >> >>The original body paint color was used to paint the following on 48 TC EXU >>#7383: >> >>All bumper brackets from the frame to the bumper. For the rear bumper, >> >> >this > > >>included brackets to frame, cross member, all license plate brackets, "J" >>brackets to bumper and also the reinforcement bar behind the bumper blade >>itself. All associated bolts attaching these items were also body color. >>The front bumper support brackets were also painted body color. In other >>words everything associated with the bumpers themselves except the chrome >>blade itself. >> >>The front radiator grill slats were also painted body color. Now this is >>contrary to the longstanding rule that the grill slats are supposed to be >>the same as the interior color. Again, as we have seen, nothing can be for >>sure on the MG. And I am sure this will renew the debate. >> >>Also, the color of the brake drums were originally body color. Joe told me >>that he changed his drum color a while back to black when he had done some >>work on them, but assured me that they were also body color when he bought >>the car. >> >>Headlight bracket was body color and also the bolt attaching it to the >>radiator bracket that comes through the shell. This confirms previous >>printings of originality on this subject item. >> >>The MG emblem background (on both the 2 piece aluminum carb intake and the >>rear bumper medallion) was also painted body color. However, this could >> >> >not > > >>be verified because Joe could not remember these items specifically whether >>he had painted these himself or if they came that way. So this is not >>conclusive and will remain an open item unless someone else can verify >> >> >this. > > >>My intent is to only report what I saw and know to be true. I am sure this >>is not absolute and there are probably other variations. However, from my >>perspective, anyone wanting to replicate the above paint scheme on an EXU >>would certainly be in the bounds of originality. >> >>I would like to personally thank Joe Douglas for sharing his time and >> >> >making > > >>his car available for viewing. >> >>Let the debates begin. >> >>EXUtagonally, >> >>Doug Pelton >>Mesa, AZ >>48 TC 7410 EXU >>49 TC 7670 EXU >> >>-----Original Message----- >>From: Doug Pelton [mailto:DougPelton@cox.net] >>Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2005 2:52 PM >>To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com >>Subject: TC EXU Paint >> >> >>Greetings, >> >>I am researching the original paint scheme for an EXU. Obviously, the >>colors have been established a long time ago. However, I talking to Al >> >> >Moss > > >>recently, he states that the original EXU cars were painted with the rear >>bumper and license plate brackets painted the same color as the body. >>Additionally, Bob Seymour (Abingdon Spares) has also seen this paint scheme >>on the EXU but did not know if original or painted afterwards. >> >>Can anyone validate this? Does anyone have an EXU that was original owner >>or now owns one that they knew this to be true? Has anyone ever restored >> >> >an > > >>EXU and found the underlying paint the same as the body. Any original EXU >>photos? I have only seen the brackets painted black, which is the same as >>the chassis. >> >>Thanks in advance for your replies. >> >>EXUtagonally, >> >>Doug Pelton >>Mesa, AZ >>48 TC 7410 EXU >>49 TC 7670 EXU >> >> >> >> >> >>Yahoo! Groups Links >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > >