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MG TC
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Do you like or dislike the new dashboard ?
Yes I do like the new dashboard
100%
 100%  [ 7 ]
No I do not like the new dashboard
0%
 0%  [ 0 ]
Total Votes : 7

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alastairq



Joined: 14 Oct 2016
Posts: 1950
Location: East Yorkshire

PostPosted: Thu Jan 07, 2021 2:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Alastair; that Skoda sounds like a poor design. No wonder they were modified!


On the contrary, a far more brilliant design than most of the rest of the worlds' contributions of the day, IMHO...biased somewhat.
It worked. And it worked well, like most commonplace, ordinary car designs.
But, like all car designs, when the boundaries of performance and reliability were stretched [pushed?] then weaknesses come to light.

For example, the VW air-cooled beetle [and its air cooled cousins]...created a reputation for VW, for reliability.
Until tuned.
Or modified in other ways.
Or expected to 'perform' in more stressful environments.
Then they became as fragile as any highly strung Ferrari.

Nasty habits rear their ugly heads once we start 'messing' with our vehicles?
_________________
Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
----------------------------------------------
Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces.
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Ray White



Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 6286
Location: Derby

PostPosted: Thu Jan 07, 2021 5:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Skoda, in particular, proved to be brilliant rally cars.

My wife had a 110 R coupe (which I think had an "S" designation.) As she has only ever had new cars there were no issues and it seemed to go quite well (although not as nippy as my Triumph GT6. Mk3)

They must be quite sought after now - if you can find a good one!
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Ray White



Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 6286
Location: Derby

PostPosted: Fri Jan 08, 2021 1:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

More news regarding the interior seats and trim. As I have written before, removal of the old vinyl cover revealed that the seat back is in a parlous condition. The split plywood back board I could cope with but with six broken coil springs and damage to the corrugated steel strapping the spring case is virtually beyond repair. If I bought some new springs (3 different sizes) they would not match the old ones; also there is no knowing if there are others on the point of failure, I have therefore chosen to purchase anew.

When I enquired with PJM (Market Drayton) about a new spring case I was surprised (and shocked) to learn that only a complete seat assembly is available and would need to be made to special order. In other words, I will have to buy a pair of seat bases as well as the back. This is rather annoying as my existing seat bases only require recovering. Of course, the cost is eye watering and there is an 8 week wait....

On the plus side it gives me an opportunity to have the "correct" pattern seats. As previously mentioned, the ones that came with my car were from a much earlier TC and lack the neat appearance of the later style.

One subtle advantage of a bespoke service is that I shall be sent plywood backings for door cards etc. that are slightly oversize so I can trim them to best match the body prior to final covering. Provisional wheel arch covers (the most difficult bit) will also be supplied to ensure that the finished leather is cut and stitched correctly. The seats will also be professionally covered and finished to my preferred style.

To summarise; I have ordered a complete new TC interior to be hand finished in a very nice quality leather which goes by the name of "Mountbatten sand". With three hides, there should be enough to also cover the dashboard. The finish has a slight sheen which I think is far nicer than the matte so often seen these days. The chosen leather is an upholstery (as opposed to an automotive) hide which has found favour with numerous other classic car restorers.

Although expensive, it is a soft, supple but quite hard wearing leather with a pleasant aroma.

https://www.ukhide.co.uk/product/mountbatten-11008-sand/
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Ray White



Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 6286
Location: Derby

PostPosted: Sat Jan 23, 2021 9:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A progress report now on my new Ash frame. The body tub is coming together in the capable hands of specialist Andrew Denton.



Looking at craftsmanship like this makes my heart sing!!!

It is like listening to Mozart through my new air pods!


Last edited by Ray White on Sun Jan 24, 2021 12:24 am; edited 1 time in total
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Peter_L



Joined: 10 Apr 2008
Posts: 2680
Location: New Brunswick. Canada.

PostPosted: Sat Jan 23, 2021 10:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looking good Ray... In the background, a vertical track saw, how I wish Crying or Very sad
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Ray White



Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 6286
Location: Derby

PostPosted: Sun Jan 24, 2021 12:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

...and there's more...



Andrew Denton is a time served Pattern Maker with years of experience in Huston's and other renowned MG Ash frame builders.

I could have bought a kit from him and assembled it myself but I want a car that doesn't fall apart at the first corner!! Shocked Very Happy

[url=https://postimg.cc/5jxhvG46]
[/url]






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Farmer John



Joined: 18 Feb 2010
Posts: 181
Location: Manawatu NZ

PostPosted: Sun Jan 24, 2021 2:07 am    Post subject: TC woodwork Reply with quote

Wow Ray that is exceptional! Photos should always accompany the car, that craftsman deserves recognition. Will the timber have any treatment or coating?
We better get all those steely bits dead right, there is a new high standard!
John
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Ray White



Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 6286
Location: Derby

PostPosted: Sun Jan 24, 2021 2:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I can't wait to take delivery. All that lovely wood will have to be painted, unfortunately. Andrew Denton is thought to be about the best - certainly better than 'off the shelf' bodies - for MGs. He is also a very nice guy.

I have the option of taking the body tub to Wilkinsons Coachworks in Derby who will I know make a first class job of painting it. With this cold wet winter weather I am not really equipped for paint and I will need to get the primer over painted quickly to avoid damp getting to it. The wings and other panels can wait for the spring and dryer conditions. (I just wish I had an income more than my pension but Covid 19 has ruined me financially.)

Andrew has a colleague who does the panelling. He is good. Actually, he is an experienced blacksmith who has done some excellent work for other T series owners. I have been told that steel is the best option as the TC has a very light chassis and the weight in the body helps with grip better than aluminium.
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Keith D



Joined: 16 Oct 2008
Posts: 1127
Location: Upper Swan, Western Australia

PostPosted: Sun Jan 24, 2021 2:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am completely unable to cut two pieces of wood in a straight line, so can truly appreciate what a wonderful job Andrew Denton has done. Such a professional job.

I am so looking forward to seeing the videos that I am sure you will be posting when this little beauty is finished and running..

Keith
_________________
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1932 Austin Seven RN long wheelbase box sedan
1950 Austin A40 tourer
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Its weird being the same age as old people.
You are either part of the problem or part of the solution
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Ray White



Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 6286
Location: Derby

PostPosted: Sun Jan 24, 2021 11:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Keith D wrote:
I am completely unable to cut two pieces of wood in a straight line, so can truly appreciate what a wonderful job Andrew Denton has done. Such a professional job.

I am so looking forward to seeing the videos that I am sure you will be posting when this little beauty is finished and running..

Keith


Keith, having seen how to do it well by Rick with his new barn finds, I am determined to have a go at filming. My wife said it would be a "horror" film. (She has an odd sense of humour sometimes.)

I am confident that the frame will be as accurate as it can be because Andrew has the factory drawings to follow but there is always a "moment of truth" when it comes to matching up the front edge of the scuttle with the bonnet . The shut line at that point is what will determine how well the finished job will look. I have heard stories of bonnets having to be shortened (which is not easy to do when there is a folded edge) or worse; have to be lengthened or even re made Shocked

What is frustrating is not having the dashboard or scuttle in place as I want to finish the electrics but I am trying to get as much in place as possible so that I am ready for when the body tub eventually gets here.
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Ray White



Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 6286
Location: Derby

PostPosted: Wed Feb 03, 2021 11:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Ash frame has now been taken to be panelled in steel. Note the steel reinforcing as per original.

I looked into having it finished in aluminium (as some others have done) but the concensus seems to be that the chassis and body of these cars is so light that making the panelling lighter than standard does nothing for the handling and grip.

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PapaJoe



Joined: 09 Nov 2020
Posts: 73
Location: Massachusetts USA

PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2021 3:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ray,

That frame looks great. Enjoying keeping up with your progress. Nice work.

Regards,
Joe
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Coveted: Ford Model Y Saloon
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Ray White



Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 6286
Location: Derby

PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2021 10:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

PapaJoe wrote:
Ray,

That frame looks great. Enjoying keeping up with your progress. Nice work.

Regards,
Joe


Thanks for following Joe. My thanks to everyone who is following this saga.

The doors have been made as well but they won't be fitted until they have been panelled. I contemplated using the doors from my old frame but took advice and had new ones made to fit the new tub. There are also some new floor boards and a dashboard; all made to the correct factory drawings.!

I am actually in something of a dilemma with regard to the paint. The new body will come in primer and need painting as soon as possible. The problem is that a body shop will be expensive as the scuttle top (which I have restored here) will also need to be fitted and fettled separately.

Yet, I am reluctant to do the paint at home in the winter. The body is too big to go through the door into my painting shed (with good natural light) so it will need to be painted on the chassis in the garage which for various reasons is not ideal.

The scuttle top is a very expensive panel to have made new but mine was saveable although needed a fair bit of work.







Andrew Denton kindly sent me a template of the frame profile so I was able to make a wooden support for the front edge of the scuttle top. This ensured I kept the correct shape when welding up the small cracks.
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Ray White



Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 6286
Location: Derby

PostPosted: Sat May 08, 2021 7:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It will be two years come June since I placed an order for a new body tub which is something I am none too happy about; however, there does seem to be light at the end of the tunnel. I spoke to Andrew Denton yesterday and he says the panelling is in the final stages.

In a somewhat unwelcome development I heard from Hi Gear Engineering this morning to say that there could be a problem with the 5 speed gearbox they supplied.
Apparently there are issues with the spot welds to the brackets on the underside of the cover which in a worse case scenario could result in a gearbox failure. The fault is not of their making so in that respect I am most grateful that the engineer took the trouble to contact me. A replacement part is available f.o.c.

Here is the gearbox cover. As it happens there seems to be no imminent problem but It's better to be safe now than sorry later.

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Ray White



Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 6286
Location: Derby

PostPosted: Tue May 11, 2021 1:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Collected the 'new' gearbox cover today. The brackets are much more secure with decent welds.


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