MGTF1500resto.Finished.Won best in show.FOR SALE.NOW SOLD

Pilkie

Pilkie

Active Member
What have I done!! :shock: :roll:
Ive just spent the most ive ever spent on a car,and it needs restoring! :shock:
A 1954 MG TF1500 imported from Texas in 1996 and then 3 owners,but 2nd one nicked the engine for his 1949 MGTC.
Body is very straight and sound as is the chassis,susp looks very clean and goes up and down.
The paints been mostly baked off by the Texas sun,and its took its toll on the interior trim,but the seats are fairly good.
And it has no engine,but it has a gearbox! :LOL:
It arrives this Sat all being well,as its only 2 miles away!
Will I restore it or will I sell it on for a healthy profit??? Dunno yet?
Its all well and good me buying and selling them,but I do need to get stuck into a project,and the last few sold have effectively paid for this one!
This will be loads easier to do than the Jensen would of been!!
NO WELDING!!
"Least I cant find anywhere rotten after an hour of gropevelling under it!! :LOL: "
So its a purely a mechanical overhaul,strip and paint,re trim, A full cosmetic overhaul job!! :)
It has a very basic chassis and its easy to unbolt and lift the whole the body from it!
Almost every part is available,recon or new/repro,and prices are not ridiculous!
Apart from the hens teeth,or rocking horse poo rare bits!! :shock:
More info on Sat eve once its home and ive had a play and done some piccys!
Piccy of a very nice blue one!!
And only pic of car so far,left of mini!
bluemgtf1500.jpg

IMAG1281.jpg
 
Re: What have I done!!

Well done Pilkie. I've always liked the MG T series cars - true classic British sports car design. I think the TF was the last model before production switched to the MGA. They always seem to be in demand so you should be able to shift it no problem. If it spent most of it's days in Texas, assume there isn't much corrosion to worry about?
 
Re: What have I done!!

Thats right,it is basically a restyled TD,built from 1953-55 with1250cc and 1500cc engines,just 9600 built,done as a stopgap until the delayed MGA was launched.
I really ought to give this one a bit more assesment time! :) So will make a list of whats needed,and try to work out the overall resto cost!
Cant find any rust apart from minor surface on some panels!! :D
The Jensen only lasted 36hrs in my hands! :roll:
But then it had a rusty chassis and needed the body off and splitting apart!"Not simple on them"!!
Anybody got a running 1250 or 1500 engine???? :LOL:
 
Re: What have I done!!

Isn't that the MG XPAG engine, Dave? I thought they were in the Hens Teeth category? If it's a dear old BMC B series (the 1500?) then you are in clover!

Chris
 
Re: What have I done!!

Hi Chris.

Its the XPEG 1500 engine that is hens teeth,the XPAG 1250 is easier to obtain as it was in the TC and TD.
I will put a running 1250 in as they are the same basic lump anyway,or a new 1500,will see how we go!

Sent you a PM,did you get it?
 
Re: What have I done!!

You've definitely got good taste in cars.... Even if you only own them for a few hours!
 
Re: What have I done!!

You remind me of a stockbroker Dave, but,buy,sell,sell :LOL:
Do you do a lot of arm waving aswell :mrgreen:

GOOD LUCK to you Dave, if you can then why not :D
 
Re: What have I done!!

Could be really brave and stick a K series in it :LOL: I bet that would make a lovely conversion, only probelm being you'd half it's value and get lynched everytime you went to a show.
 
Re: What have I done!!

Think it was a TD I did a while back. Smallest doors in the world, those two bits wont take you long :LOL:

Interesting project and nice to change direction a little :)

Will being a left hooker make much difference to the value ?
 
Re: What have I done!!

Doesn't it depend on whether you want to restore it ? If you're doing cars for pleasure , you should be restoring somehting that excites you.
Do you know what that is ?
 
Re: What have I done!!

I just had to go over and take a load of pics before it was moved! :D
I have a feeling it has been restored,at least had a good makeover before in the states,as the chassis and susp components although a bit dusty with a thin layer of dried on mud/sand,underneath are very shiney black,and you can tell that under the arches and the body area that doesnt show has had a nice lick of paint on top of the original!
Which is not surprising considering what the sun does to old red paint!
Heres a link to the pics.
PS???
Anybody seen my TR6 keys!!! :roll: :? :| !!!FOUND THEM!!! :LOL:
BTW I had another crawl ,poke about under it,A super solid chassis and body,no rust except dusty surface stuff,very minor body dints!
http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296 ... TF%201500/
 
Re: What have I done!!

Grim
Dont think it being a LHD will hurt,as if I were to sell there are more countries that drive LHD than RHD.
And if a new owner wanted to convert,its quite simple to do for not a lot!!

Dave
Dont know till I find it and it talks to me!!! :LOL:
This is definately whispering very loudly at the moment!
Maybe because I couldnt quite afford a 1949 MGTC back in the early 80's for £750!!

Richard.
JESUS NO WAY!!
Its originality all the time for me,well as close as poss! :)
They dont want to talk to me on the forum as it is,,,,helpfull bunch!!
Maybe now ive bought one they will be more forthcoming and chatty!
 
Re: What have I done!!

NAH!!
I do know its possible to fit an MGBGT 1800 eng/box in without too many problems!! :)
So thats probably the way I will go unless I find a running XPEG engine for it!!
 
Re: What have I done!!

What cars are you loking for as suitable engine donors ? Anything other than MG T series ?
A K series and 5 speed Sierra box would probably make a nice usable car if you weren't fussed about originality
 
Re: What have I done!!

DaveHerns said:
What cars are you loking for as suitable engine donors ? Anything other than MG T series ?
A K series and 5 speed Sierra box would probably make a nice usable car if you weren't fussed about originality
Click to expand...
See above!!
It may not be original,but at least its an evolutional transplant!
I am not quite an originality freak,,"yet",but as the XPEG engines are very scarce,and I want it on the road asap,its the only way to go,as "apparently" little modification is needed,so its easy to undo when a proper engine turns up!
 
Re: What have I done!!

Well Dave.... If it's for you, then obviously it's your decision - albeit the MGB 1800 wouldn't be my choice to put in anything, even an MGB! But if you are expecting to sell after a summer's fun and curiosity, then I would have thought that anything further from an XPEG than an XPAG would destroy the potential value. Potential MG T series owners aren't known for being very forgiving about non originality. Even the string back gloves and tweed cap have to be just so....

Chris
 
Re: What have I done!!

I know!
How about a late MG Midget 1500 then,at least the carbs will be on the right side!!
If you can find me an up and running XPEG engine with all the ancillaries ready to drop in let me know!
Did you get my PM, re Beamish,as I didnt get a reply???
 
Re: What have I done!!

chrisyork said:
Potential MG T series owners aren't known for being very forgiving about non originality.

Chris
Click to expand...

Hi, didn't stop one of their number buying a complete, rust free, usable car and robbing
the engine for there's. meaning 2 cars not having the original engine and then getting
all snotty because some one put's a MGB engine in!!

MG Midget 1500 probably a bigger crime being a Triumph!!

Thankfully we are not like that on here.

Colin
 
Re: What have I done!!

MG owners can be as snotty as they like,it doesnt worry me!!
It still amazes me that many MG owners wont wave when you pass on the open road,even when I am in the TR6!
It sometimes seems anything other than another MG is the opposition and has to be ignored!
Whatever I do fit,it will be easily removed when a proper engine turns up!
Nothing wrong with a well maintained MGB engine!
All engines have had their problems in the past,be it big ends,head gaskets,etc.
 
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