Thread: 51 MG restoration.

The mahogany veneer from Lee Valley worked pretty good. Little tear out along the edge but the chrome trim may cover that.
After some trial and error, I decided roof flashing was the material to make my glove box out of. Original was pressed cardboard so the flashing although thinner will actually be stronger.
So I started with a cut out slightly smaller than the opening in the dash underlay to serve as my bottom of box.

Raised it up into the flashing about 1.5” so I’d have some material to roll around the back of the wood and used a ratchet strap and some epoxy I cinched it to shape.
Let it cure, then while the epoxy held everything in its curved state, I rolled the bottom around the wood form and secured everything with metal screws.

Punched some holes for the electronic chargers that are needed in every car these days, but I wanted out of the way in Noddy.

Intentionally left the charge ports raised off the bottom so the car manual can lay flat under anything plugged in.

Can see how I’ve left the side shape loose enough still to draw out the taper as I secure it to the under dash with screws, as well as roll the edge over flush with the front.
Will then pop a few rivets into the overlap before cladding the entire interior, in place, in black felt that will also fold over the edge of the underdash and be captured and hidden by the finished dash.
Shall be plenty strong and more weather proof than the original.


Also added the proper, enameled new medallion to Noddy’s nosepiece.

She’s going to look right proper again before long!

Cool, Mike! I have a stash of some thin aluminum sheet and I make such things at times with the epoxy adhering it, but get things lined-up for using a right-angle drill and some pop rivets to make it right for cure before the epoxy is applied after which the rivets go in.
I use wood and shims, anything handy to stretch it all out.

Good work! Fun to see

Yup, if I laid out some guide holes the epoxy wouldn’t have cracked during the screw in stage but thats ok, I felt it a temporary bond till the hardware was added.
Your way the epoxy stays part of the bond, I like that too.

About 12 coats into the varnish now, but granted I’ve sanded away at least half of them slowly building up the finish. Problem with saying perfect is the goal, is that’s an easy bar to miss and as long as the 1000 grit wet step shows flaws,,, rinse repeat…..
Aside from that, working on yet another little enhancement for the car. Under the boot is wasted space, IMO hence why I put the brake booster there. Well I think I can add a 2” deep storage compartment as well between the frame rails, so sketched something up.

Will be near invisible when closed and can hold the tonneau cover when not in use, or maybe the racing screens, if they fit..
Will use 1/8” x2” wide angle iron for my frame and drop an 18 gage steel pan in the bottom which can be removed to easy access the axle, fuel pump, or booster in the future for maintenance reasons.

100% resto-mod..
Cheers..

Dash finish is just about as good as I can get it. A few slight depressions where the grain was particularly open grained, but with wood ya really can’t help it I suppose.


Onto the hardware, glovebox door hinges and such, then I can connect the wiring harness to the main controls and start to terminate everything.
.

Easy to lose track of time in the enjoyable, little details of a job you are into.
Spent all day just getting the glove box door the way I wanted.
What with the trim needing to be bent, and the screws needing countersinking, but not too much or little or the screws wouldn’t sit properly. And the screw holes needing to be done before any bending, so I had to figure out where the holes would be, account for the curves,and not crease anything.


Still not done, but getting close, and happy with the way it looks.

Wish I didn’t have to work tomorrow, I’d keep at it.
Cheers gents.

I see a green bottle there….the white cap is throwing me off….did you get the ACA500 ( first cut ) ?

The AAT 501 and 502. Didn’t have stock on much as it was a general distributor but I grabbed what I could.
The 501 was used after 2000 grit wet on the dash and I must say it’s a very nice polish. As described, only a few dollops, a mere 1/10th of what I’m used to using and the results were very good. Then the 502 took the haze away and had a very nice smell.
Hope this stuff doesn’t really expire as both were sealed bottles, but they both have expiration dates in 2022.

This is ready for electrical now!

I’ll leave the dual temp gauge and choke pull out until installing the dash in the car as the capillary tube and cable’s a pain and I don’t want to damage either them, or the paint with their parts.
I’m pleased with the satin sheen of the finished work as well as the bright work but man my hands and nerves are spent, hehe.
I was even able to source a replica octagon shaped glove box pull and went with a spring loaded ball catch for the door like would have been installed originally.

Woodfords a calling!
Cheers gents. Moving along with the fun stuff.

Looks killer, Mike! I had wondered if the glove box even had a door.
Lots of Brits (including mine) didn't.

When I remember the mess it was......
It all looks so excellent!