Re: TC Front Wings Needed (SOAP BOX)

[49MGTC]

Tim; Forgive me I am about to get upon my "SOAP BOX!!!!" Unfortunately I think that "most" of the paint/body people today will say the same thing. These days it is easier to replace than to repair. Unfortunately, I believe you will find that front fenders (if you find any) are plated with gold, and may be in worse condition than the ones you already have! There is probably someone in your area who works with metal and would find your existing fenders a challenge. This person will not be a body man, rather he will be an artist. One who works with metal and takes great pride in working with metal. I once knew a guy in the Wichita, Kansas area who took a 1949 Ford truck tailgate and embossed the word FOOL, yes that's right FOOL. He made it look just like the old Ford script we are familiar with, but the letters actually spelled FOOL. He did this using a couple of hammers and a torch. He was an artist. It took him over a week full time just to do the one word, but when he was done it looked like the factory had made it. I wish you the best of luck in finding fenders, but suspect you will have to repair your non repairable fenders or go with the cycle fenders so many cars seem to have. I like the look of the cycle fenders, but also like the original ones too. I do know of a pair of fenders, but the person who owns them is on this list and can reply to you if he wishes himself. Wish I could be more help. Bud Silvers Beautiful Colorado Springs, Colorado TC 8192 -----Original Message----- From: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com [mailto:mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of tx-buckeyes@sbcglobal.net Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2005 5:02 PM To: T-ABC Group Subject: [mg-tabc] TC Front Wings Needed Hello Fellow Listers: I recently purchased TC#1549 and am in the process of restoring it. It is in wonderful shape except for the front wings. There is excessive bondo on the front portions of them, the wire edge is gone (among other portions) and the shape is really bad. My paint/body guy says they are unrepairable (at least by him and a couple others that he has consulted). Are there any replacement front wings out there??? TC/1549 is, of course, and "early" car, so I'd prefer to have the early wings, but If necessary, I'd settle for later ones. Please Help, I'm currently in Dire Straits. Thanks in advance, Tim Moorhead Dallas, TX [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Yahoo! Groups Links

[ian thomson]

I would endorse all of what you say Bud. Such people are becoming hard to find though though you probably have more of them in the states than we have over here. I would ask if they know what a wheeling machine is and, if not, walk away. Using original parts also ensures that the profiles are correct. As Sherrell points out that there are (I think) three different profiles especially around the front "notch". The work is not difficult to a skilled craftsman, just time consuming, and, unfortunately, time is what you pay for. Ian THomson. --- 49mgtc 49MGTC@usaviator.net> wrote:

> Tim; > > Forgive me I am about to get upon my "SOAP BOX!!!!" > > Unfortunately I think that "most" of the paint/body > people today will say > the same thing. These days it is easier to replace > than to repair. > Unfortunately, I believe you will find that front > fenders (if you find any) > are plated with gold, and may be in worse condition > than the ones you > already have! > > There is probably someone in your area who works > with metal and would find > your existing fenders a challenge. This person will > not be a body man, > rather he will be an artist. One who works with > metal and takes great pride > in working with metal. I once knew a guy in the > Wichita, Kansas area who > took a 1949 Ford truck tailgate and embossed the > word FOOL, yes that's right > FOOL. He made it look just like the old Ford script > we are familiar with, > but the letters actually spelled FOOL. He did this > using a couple of hammers > and a torch. He was an artist. It took him over a > week full time just to do > the one word, but when he was done it looked like > the factory had made it. > > I wish you the best of luck in finding fenders, but > suspect you will have to > repair your non repairable fenders or go with the > cycle fenders so many cars > seem to have. I like the look of the cycle fenders, > but also like the > original ones too. > > I do know of a pair of fenders, but the person who > owns them is on this list > and can reply to you if he wishes himself. > > Wish I could be more help. > > Bud Silvers > Beautiful Colorado Springs, Colorado > TC 8192 > > -----Original Message----- > From: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com > [mailto:mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf > Of tx-buckeyes@sbcglobal.net > Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2005 5:02 PM > To: T-ABC Group > Subject: [mg-tabc] TC Front Wings Needed > > > Hello Fellow Listers: > > I recently purchased TC#1549 and am in the process > of restoring it. It is > in wonderful shape except for the front wings. > There is excessive bondo on > the front portions of them, the wire edge is gone > (among other portions) and > the shape is really bad. My paint/body guy says > they are unrepairable (at > least by him and a couple others that he has > consulted). > > Are there any replacement front wings out there??? > TC/1549 is, of course, > and "early" car, so I'd prefer to have the early > wings, but If necessary, > I'd settle for later ones. > > Please Help, I'm currently in Dire Straits. > > Thanks in advance, > > Tim Moorhead > Dallas, TX > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > mg-tabc-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > > > > > >

___________________________________________________________ How much free photo storage do you get? Store your holiday snaps for FREE with Yahoo! Photos http://uk.photos.yahoo.com

[Diecuts@aol.com]

Hi all, With the new style instant dark helmets, welding, especially mig, has gotten so easy that just about anyone that can light a propane torch can do it. It just takes a little practice on some scrap fenders or metal. The welding units do not cost much, around $300, when compared to what you will be charged for repairs. I was quoted anywhere from $1500 to $3000 from 3 shops to just restore the metal (not paint or primer) in certain areas on 4 MGSA fenders. The timing quoted,3-6 weeks ,was not the best. Followed my own advice and got all four done in one day (around 6 hours)including redoing the first one as the skill level had improved considerably from the practice of the other 3 . Plus, once folk find that you can weld, well............ Cheers, Lee Jacobsen, MI TA2969 tickford [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Donald Wilkinson]

digitaldon concurs (LOUDLY) with Bud & Ian; notes that such goodies as english wheels, planishing hammers, etc. etc. are readily available from Eastwoods (www.eastwoodco.com)..... >metal shop>fabrication, pages 1 to 6. This stuff is (more than) a little pricey, but if one could learn to make a needed two or four fenders for one's battered TC tub, just as the original panel beaters did @ Abingdon, what price that? These techniques useta be widely known in the US, and standard practice in the collision shops, and are starting to be revived and once used again, unfortunately, largely on overblown US iron. (digitaldon, at one time, ACTUALLY thought a George Barris "custom" was a neat thang!) (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Don TC 7993

[Rick Waters]

Some of us still think a George Barris Kustom is a Kool thing. -Rick, TC 7881 Donald Wilkinson digitaldon@hotmail.com> wrote: digitaldon concurs (LOUDLY) with Bud & Ian; notes that such goodies as english wheels, planishing hammers, etc. etc. are readily available from Eastwoods (www.eastwoodco.com)..... >metal shop>fabrication, pages 1 to 6. This stuff is (more than) a little pricey, but if one could learn to make a needed two or four fenders for one's battered TC tub, just as the original panel beaters did @ Abingdon, what price that? These techniques useta be widely known in the US, and standard practice in the collision shops, and are starting to be revived and once used again, unfortunately, largely on overblown US iron. (digitaldon, at one time, ACTUALLY thought a George Barris "custom" was a neat thang!) (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Don TC 7993 Yahoo! Groups Links -Rick Waters __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Andrew Clayton]

I also believe in giving it a go yourself. I decided to take a holiday in the UK in late 2003 and booked in to do a body restoration course with Contour Autocraft while there - they are a small firm doing mainly Jag XK restorations but they also do these courses on the side. Over 5 days I learned about measuring and drawing the parts, cutting out the metal, stretching & shrinking it by hammering & wheeling, welding it all together and finishing off. By the end of the week, each person in the class had produced a front section of an XK120 front wing with it's very complex curves and shape. At the start I wouldn't have believed it possible to do this but with guidance and a stepwise approach it all came together. Incredibly satisfying and I'd highly recommend it to everyone, even if it's just for fun. I'm not saying I'm an expert by any means but it's given me the confidence to try and to enjoy myself in the process. Contour Autocraft still advertise in the English classic car magazines, but there are several other courses available, including the much higher level Tech school type. You're lucky in the UK as you have a good choice (in USA too?) but here in Aus although there are welding courses available, I don't know of any car restoration specific ones. Cheers, Andrew Clayton Melbourne, Australia. TC 4054

> ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Donald Wilkinson" digitaldon@hotmail.com> > To: i.thomson@talk21.com>; 49MGTC@usaviator.net>; > mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com> > Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2005 12:34 PM > Subject: RE: [mg-tabc] TC Front Wings Needed (SOAP BOX) > > >> digitaldon concurs (LOUDLY) with Bud & Ian; notes that such goodies as >> english wheels, planishing hammers, etc. etc. are readily available from >> Eastwoods (www.eastwoodco.com)..... >metal shop>fabrication, pages 1 to >> 6. >> This stuff is (more than) a little pricey, but if one could learn to make >> a >> needed two or four fenders for one's battered TC tub, just as the >> original >> panel beaters did @ Abingdon, what price that? These techniques useta be >> widely known in the US, and standard practice in the collision shops, and >> are starting to be revived and once used again, unfortunately, largely on >> overblown US iron. (digitaldon, at one time, ACTUALLY thought a George >> Barris "custom" was a neat thang!) (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) >> >> Don >> TC 7993 >> >> >> >> >> >> Yahoo! Groups Links >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> No virus found in this incoming message. >> Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. >> Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.17 - Release Date: 25/05/2005 >> >> > > > > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 267.2.0 - Release Date: 27/05/2005 > >

-- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 267.2.0 - Release Date: 27/05/2005

[1939mgtb]

This may well be a good idea. I have a friend who went to tech school at the age of 76 to restore his TR4, and wound up doing a great job. Now 81, he is very skilled. Best, Ray "Morology is our profession, our ONLY profession!"

----- Original Message ----- From: "Andrew Clayton" andyc@alphalink.com.au> To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Friday, May 27, 2005 11:49 PM Subject: Fw: [mg-tabc] TC Front Wings Needed (SOAP BOX) >I also believe in giving it a go yourself. I decided to take a holiday in > the UK in late 2003 and booked in to do a body restoration course with > Contour Autocraft while there - they are a small firm doing mainly Jag XK > restorations but they also do these courses on the side. Over 5 days I > learned about measuring and drawing the parts, cutting out the metal, > stretching & shrinking it by hammering & wheeling, welding it all together > and finishing off. By the end of the week, each person in the class had > produced a front section of an XK120 front wing with it's very complex > curves and shape. > > At the start I wouldn't have believed it possible to do this but with > guidance and a stepwise approach it all came together. Incredibly > satisfying > and I'd highly recommend it to everyone, even if it's just for fun. I'm > not > saying I'm an expert by any means but it's given me the confidence to try > and to enjoy myself in the process. > > Contour Autocraft still advertise in the English classic car magazines, > but > there are several other courses available, including the much higher level > Tech school type. You're lucky in the UK as you have a good choice (in USA > too?) but here in Aus although there are welding courses available, I > don't > know of any car restoration specific ones. > > Cheers, > > Andrew Clayton > Melbourne, Australia. > TC 4054 > > >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Donald Wilkinson" digitaldon@hotmail.com> >> To: i.thomson@talk21.com>; 49MGTC@usaviator.net>; >> mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com> >> Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2005 12:34 PM >> Subject: RE: [mg-tabc] TC Front Wings Needed (SOAP BOX) >> >> >>> digitaldon concurs (LOUDLY) with Bud & Ian; notes that such goodies as >>> english wheels, planishing hammers, etc. etc. are readily available from >>> Eastwoods (www.eastwoodco.com)..... >metal shop>fabrication, pages 1 to >>> 6. >>> This stuff is (more than) a little pricey, but if one could learn to >>> make >>> a >>> needed two or four fenders for one's battered TC tub, just as the >>> original >>> panel beaters did @ Abingdon, what price that? These techniques useta >>> be >>> widely known in the US, and standard practice in the collision shops, >>> and >>> are starting to be revived and once used again, unfortunately, largely >>> on >>> overblown US iron. (digitaldon, at one time, ACTUALLY thought a George >>> Barris "custom" was a neat thang!) (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) >>> >>> Don >>> TC 7993 >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Yahoo! Groups Links >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> No virus found in this incoming message. >>> Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. >>> Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.17 - Release Date: 25/05/2005 >>> >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> No virus found in this outgoing message. >> Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. >> Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 267.2.0 - Release Date: 27/05/2005 >> >> > > > > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 267.2.0 - Release Date: 27/05/2005 > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > >

[WDHarmer@aol.com]

Few things are less consistent than the work of George Barris. from the ridiculous to the sublime all from the mind of the same guy. Dan Harmer San Diego '48 TC # 71?? e.S. We're about to do a little forensic sleuthing to find those last two numbers.