Thread: 51 MG restoration.

Sometimes buying one all done is cheaper that restoring one. Plus you get to drive it ,with the wife…go trout fishing, hunting, shoot your muzzleloader do some archery, Not to mention …go to car shows with it. Instead of being anchored to it for 5 years. Even at .05 cents per hour of labor…your still upside down. I went down this road along time ago….and learned my lesson. That’s why I bought my 67 GTO as a driver….I have the skills to buy a basket case…but it’s not worth the time ,money ,and effort . I’d rather be in it….than under it. But it looks like your enjoying your self and don’t mind me.

That's the great thing about projects like this - whether it's worth it or not totally depends on what you're after. When I was 16 I almost convinced my folks to let me buy a beat up Karmann Ghia to fix up as my first car (I had the money but couldn't talk Dad out of the garage space for what would have been months, not to mention his time as I would have needed a ton of help). It was absolutely the sensible decision for them to make at the time. But ever since then I've loved the idea of getting one to fix up and if I do it would be with an acceptance of it being a completely impractical thing to do, and I'd be doing it for the process more than the end result.

At the same time if what I wanted was a cool old car to roam around in, I'd be looking to buy a driver. Good to have the option.

Just depends which is the strongest...
The urge to tinker...or...
The urge to drive.

I suppose a lot has to do with what "the deal" is and what type of car.

Pete <:-}

Originally Posted by petercp4e

I suppose a lot has to do with what "the deal" is and what type of car.

Pete <:-}

This is my MG. There are many like it, but this one is mine.


https://youtu.be/Hgd2F2QNfEE

I sold a '63 Buick Riviera because it needed more work than I had time to commit to and I couldn't bear to see it not be made pristine. Damn I loved that car though. 401 Nailhead, last Buick with the Dynaflow: shifter went park, neutral, drive, low reverse from top to bottom. Power seat, Air Conditioner, 4 bucket seats, courtesy lamps and the courtesy back seat door handle on the back of the door arm rest. Power steering you could turn with one finger. What a great ride

As I move down from the winged fenders to the running boards there’s a few redundant holes to be filled now.



And of course, some rot where the brackets connected to the running boards that got bondo’d years ago needs to be cut out and replaced with new steel. And the. Rewelded to the support brackets underneath.




One side done, the other can wait for tomorrow. Then they will be as strong, and as flat as new.

Originally Posted by PaulFLUS

I sold a '63 Buick Riviera because it needed more work than I had time to commit to and I couldn't bear to see it not be made pristine. Damn I loved that car though. 401 Nailhead, last Buick with the Dynaflow: shifter went park, neutral, drive, low reverse from top to bottom. Power seat, Air Conditioner, 4 bucket seats, courtesy lamps and the courtesy back seat door handle on the back of the door arm rest. Power steering you could turn with one finger. What a great ride

Working on a 1975 Rivera in the shop this week….car is all there…nice driver too…455 ..guy backed it into pole….low impact ,and messed up the rear rubber filler panels ,between the bumper and the body. Waving my magic heat gun over them ,to reshape…then into an ice bath of water ,to retain their shape.

My buddy has the Riviera still, maybe 72? Comes to a sweet V point at the rear and it’s a dark brown metallic paint, he claims is original. Good idea on the ice bath to set the shape after reheating those plastic pieces.

I’m in to the gas tank after getting the metal work done on the fenders and running boards.



Removing the ugly old fuel level sender hole.

And on to stripping paint.
May be down to the last couple pieces now!
Even started putting the front end back together so I can put it on the ground to measure optimal driveshaft length.

Originally Posted by MikeB52

My buddy has the Riviera still, maybe 72? Comes to a sweet V point at the rear and it’s a dark brown metallic paint, he claims is original. Good idea on the ice bath to set the shape after reheating those plastic pieces.


I’m in to the gas tank after getting the metal work done on the fenders and running boards.

Removing the ugly old fuel level sender hole.

And on to stripping paint.

May be down to the last couple pieces now!

Even started putting the front end back together so I can put it on the ground to measure optimal driveshaft length.

Progress Marches On!

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I am really impressed with your skills. There are many tools that you have used during this project that are completely foreign to me and how in the world you figured out the process is completely beyond me.
What occurred to me while reading this just now is that there are a few of our SRP members who have done this type of project and a whole bunch more guys who would like to learn some of these skills or just watch.

So, maybe a one-week class on "Rebuilding a Wreck" would be well received!

(maybe add an addition to Charlies workshop in Texas? )