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MG MGB Technical - Rebuild Costs

I have recently purchased a 68 MG Roadster which seems to be in fair condition and pased it's test in Frace. I brought this to rebuild and was wondering if anyone could give me a realistic idea of what it is likely to cost. I will be doing almost all the work myself except for the final paint finish. I dont want to end up with a concours car just a well built B I can use and have fun in.

Thanks guys John
John

It's hard to say since 1, I have never added up all my receipts 2, They'd be in NZ$ and 3, I ain't done yet! Also that's all for my car. We don't know what you need to do to yours.

Whatever figure you eventually come up with I would say double that and then triple the amount of time you thought it would take you and you'd be about right!

To give you some idea though to rebuild my engine entirely and more or less to stock specs (I had it all balanced but no fancy cams or anything) cost me about $5000NZ which at the time was about 3-3500 $US I think. I have pretty much rebuilt every part of the car and it does all add up. As I say I don't dare add up the receipts.

New carpets, trim, seats, top and so on are all quite big expenses. Paint of course is a biggie but it depends on how good a finish you want. How much body work does it need? Are you keeping it stock or modifying it?

I think realistically to do it ends up costing you something like twice what the car can then be sold for when you're done. But then I guess we're doing it for love, not profit!

Do you have a list of the things you think you're going to be doing then we might be able to give better estimates?

Simon
Simon Jansen

John, you've got to give a better idea of what you think needs to be done to the car. It can't be too bad as it has passed an inspection. All we know is that you feel it needs painting.

Derek Nicholson

I did all the work myself bar the painting. All new interior except seat frames, steering wheel, gear lever, instruments, hood and frame. All new exterior trim, new chrome wire wheels and hubs. Nothing on running gear (and very little since). Probably spent about 4k Sterling although that was 16 years ago, and yes, probably twice what it is worth to sell but it is worth a lot more to me. It depends on how detailed your pre-purchase examination was (did you use the Porter guide?) and I don't know about France but the UK MOT test while quite searching excludes a lot which you may only find when you start taking it down.

Decide how far you want to go and stick to it. If you keep getting so far and then saying "Oh, while that is off I may as well do this" you could end up losing heart and placing one of those 'unfinished restoration' ads.
Paul Hunt 2

Hi Guys

I intend to strip the car completely. The gear box and overdrive will be serviced and I may change the engine as I thing its an old 3 bearing. The body seems ok but who knows until I strip the paint off the doors probably need renewing.

All the chrome seems in fair order so I will just repolish.

I will upgrade all the suspension and brakes, service the back axle. I will probably fit a new loom as the electrics look very played with over the years. The seats are not bad as is the interior but no doubt I will renew/repair. The hood looks fairly recent so I will prbably keep it for now.

Oh dear this is all adding up. On the good side I have a nice large barn which I converting into a workshop so space is not an issue.

John
John

John,

There's an old saying here in the good old USofA Inc -- If you have to ask how much it costs, you can't afford it.

Even if you do most, (or all) of the work yourself, it will cost what you are willing to spend.

I have a wild and crazy dream -- aspiration -- to buy ALL the parts --not a shell-- and building an MGB as though it were a plastic model --- but then, sometimes I go through a phase of insanity.

Just start with the stuff that really needs replacing and keep going till it gets too expensive. I too have a pile of invoices for parts I dare not add up.

good luck == glg
glg

John-
What will it cost? It all depends on what you have in mind. A leather interior from Mike Satur or PJM Motors costs a lot more than a set of vinyl seat covers from Moss Motors. A Wilton Wool carpet costs more than a simple rayon carpet. A Mohair top costs more than a vinyl top. You need to decide what you want, then sit down, do some research on what costs what, and total it up, then double the figure so that you'll be sure to cover all related eventualities. Then figure out how long it'll take you to get the money together and resign yourself to the idea that nothing worthwhile happens quickly. Under no circumstances should you set a top limit to what you'll spend. Your budget only indicates how much money you should be able to set aside in a given month for the project. If you aren't willing to spend whatever it takes to have the car the way that you really want it, you're almost certainly going to end up with a disappointment. Nobody wants to think "If only....." while driving their disappointment down the road.
Steve S.

I'd drive and enjoy it for the Summer, at least. I'll allow you to better assess what needs to be done. Do a rolling restoration. Better that than completely stripping the car right away. Also, it'll give you a chance that you really like the MGB experience as much as you think. Better to find out now rather than after you spend many years and much money.

I'd be surprised if someone has retrofitted a 3-main bearing engine in your '68. What's the engine number?

Derek Nicholson

John:

Asking that question on this board is like asking a judge in the Southern States how much the fine is going to be: "How much ya got?" is always going to be the answer.

Repairs to keep the car on the road can be done on a budget. If you have purchased the right car you will get many years of motoring joy from it. RESTORATION is another matter as there is no logical stopping point for replacenet of components.

Most MGBs that have not had the rockers replaced will need it done as part of a restoration. Toss in a set of floor panels. We just spent a thousand dollars in parts (Canadian prices). Lets assume that every other panel is in great shape and only needs stipping and re-painting.

The cost of re-finishing is quite high. Figure five thousand to drop the stripped shell and have the shop do a good job of getting it straight and painting in all the hard to get to places. (If you do this part properly, yourself, you will know why it cost so much and maybe even think that is cheap)

Doing it yourself, figure at least one thousand for materials. Sounds like a lot, but paint is very expensive and you will be buying etch primer, filler and high build primer. You will also need lots of sandpaper, tape and masking paper. Oh and some power tools to use all of this stuff! Did I mention TOOLS.... You see where this is going?

glg:

About doing the car as one big plastic model. Have a look at my current project because that is exactly what I feel like I am doing. My friend described it as "Restore seat. Sit on seat. Hold ignition key in place. Build car around it."

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2203663


Pete
Pete

I've spent about $17,000+ US on mine and most of it was done around six years ago and I've done all the labor except the paint.

Its safe to say you'll spend more on it than its worth if you're talking a full restoration.

Oh, well, a full restoration is only for the most insane of us anyway. I just hope my wife doesn't read this thread.
Luigi

ive just spent £13000(20000 euros) on my concourse rebuild which has taken 2yrs 6 months but i have gone over the top with the finish of it but it will last me a life time.
Ste Brown

One thing is for sure, you'll run into lots of 'surprises' along the way. Like sending the radiator to be cleaned only to find out the core is shot.
That kind of stuff can make any estimate so much refuse.

Dave
David Steverson

Thanks guys looks like I need to start saving. In response to Derek the engine number dosent seem to make sense and I think the plate on the engine is not original. I will fimd out when I strip the engine.

John
John

Pete --

Took a look at your site. this old computer is over ten years old and the monitor does not show pictures well.

I'm glad to hear there's at least one other kooky chap out there who would like to, (or IS) building a car from individual parts.

I like to think of what the person taking the order over the phone when we say "Hi there. Just send me one of everything in the MGB catalog."

If nothing else, it's worth a wild thought of the imagination.

Best of luck with your "project car" with hopes you only bust only a few knuckles during the process.
glg

glg:

Thanks for the moral support. I KNOW what the person on the other end is thinking $$$$$"KACHING!!!!!$$$$

Pete
Pete

"Hi there. Just send me one of everything in the MGB catalog."

OK sir, that'll be one seat, one wheel, one piston ... :o)
Paul Hunt 2

This thread was discussed between 20/05/2006 and 26/05/2006

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