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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - NMC - TA/TC resto...

Theres someone local to me looking for an enthusiast to restore their TA/TC. Im interested in taking on the task, but i dont know much abouth the TC. Ive not seen it and so dont know the condition, but its complete.

What sort of value do these hold?
Rob McGeown

off the top of my head, concours could be 20k+, everyday driver around 12 to 15k.
Running restoration 9 to 10k, basket case could be 4 to 7k depending on what's missing.
Mark is probably closer to that market than me...
David Smith

The key to restoring a T series car is knowing your wood working. The bodys are wood framed and you must have a good wood frame to start with or you'll never get the metal bits right. The mechanicals are pretty straight forward on the TCs and TDs. Very basic electrics. Pretty good spares support through Moss and others. David's prices are about right for the US market as well considering the exchange rate into Dollars.
Bill Young

verry nice cars ta/tc
but witch is is about?

engine differs a lot and so does the suspention

but as Bill says it is all about the wood work
Onno Könemann

Onno is right, the engine differs a lot. The TA cylinder block often develops serious cracks that can be difficult to repair properly. (Guess how I know that...) The clutch is lined with cork and runs in an oil bath, that is also a challenge. The XPAG engine in the TC is bulletproof.

Tore
Tore

Well the guy obviously doesnt know if its a TA or a TC as the add read "MG TA/TC", but when i take a look im sure i can find out!
Rob McGeown

Yes, it´s easy. If the rear part of the springs runs in sliding bronze trunnions and the engine no. says MPJG og MPJM (Morris replacement), it´s a TA. If the springs use ordinary shackles with rubber buhes and the engine no says XPAG, it´s a TC.

Sliding trunnions and an XPAG engine - it´s a very rare TB or a TA with a newer engine. Matches the TA/TC ad.

Tore
Tore

Turns out its a 1939 TA with a replacement XPAG engine...

Should be interesting!
Rob McGeown

Reading up on it, it could actually be a TB. The XPAG was brought in in 1939 for the TB only...
Rob McGeown

The TB is the perfect combination. The TA type chassis and the XPAG engine. Exciting!

Tore
Tore

Rob, is this to make money you need to spend on your midget or is this MG TB a fun project?

Not knowing what you do for a living and the spare time you have but i would recommend not doing it.
This will be a time consuming project which keeps you from finishing your midget.
One project a time is the best way to get it finished.

Focus Rob, "the force is strong in you" but another project will bring you to the Darkside of the force.
This usualy leads to the little adverts: "for sale, abandoned restauration project - midget in bits + K engine"

After all the enthousiasme from the others this is probably not what you wanted to hear but its only my opinion(and experiance with "over enthousiast" friends).
Arie de Best

This is a paid restoration project. If i got it id be restoring it for the owner. Labour costs wouls cover the completion of LMG5K plus some.

Rob McGeown

Then it is an option.

Not realy quick way of making money tho, have you considerd selling drugs?
No problem in Holland as long as you mention you earnings on the taxform.
Only not paying tax would be causing serious problems because the Dutch Goverment do not like it missing out on any action!!!

LOL
Arie de Best

Ya know, Arie, that is the part that the US government is only just now starting to understand. Hence the experiments with "medical canabis" in California.
David "the only thing they were finally able to get Al Capone for was tax evasion..." Lieb
David Lieb

I'm with Arie on this one (except for the drug thing), Id recommend male on male prostitution. No real investment needed or inventory to maintain...LOL

Seriously, this kind of project can take a good solid year at the minimum, If you go this direction, you need to treat it as a job, a set schedule of at least 3 hours a night and a game plan, system for how your going to rebuild the car, Id also demand an expense account...AKA a visa/master credit card so you can order up parts and tools as needed on your schedule, not his, that way he can pay the CC bill each month, other wise you will get stuck with him dally winking around and your left waiting on him to order parts, Id also get a payment schedule made up as well, Id insist on a weekly payment, if the time frame is longer then it makes it harder for the owner to continue to pay at a normal rate in a lot on cases, expect payment on each Monday at 3pm...why Monday and not Friday, it minimise the temptation to spend over the week end and gives you something to look forward to when your sick and disgusted at looking at that pile of thrash when your into week 39 and there is no end in-sight.

Its sad to see you mothball your midget for the next year or two, to do this project to raise money for your midget. but I understand exactly where your at, Currently been there myself for the past 6 months.

I just hope something stupid doesn't happen in the mean time like a girl with a cute smile....For sale great retro midget with K engine, getting married, spent all my money, no time to finish... bought a miata instead...lol

Prop
Prop

i'd have to agree that a resto of this kind of car is not to be taken up lightly

it is not like a midget where every part can be orderd

And a TB is a seriously cool and rare car witch deserves to be done corectly!

not intending to flame anny one just keep it in mind
Onno Könemann

Prop the cute girl happened 5 years ago, then the cute baby 2 years ago, aling with the cute MG.

It would be a massive undertaking and i would not take it on lightly.
Rob McGeown

This thread was discussed between 28/04/2009 and 29/04/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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