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Re: Finding details of a barn find

PostPosted: Sun Jul 30, 2017 8:02 pm
by Sea Ranch
I understand and thanks for your clarification. We just like to help people new to the hobby see that restoring a car isn't about saving money. Clearly you are fully aware. :mrgreen:

I love the Plus 2. Am glad I got one; looking forward to driving it again. Good luck with your search. And agreed: the most complete car, AND one with parts that are refurbishable, not completely deteriorated to the point of replace-only. This has been the saving grace with my car, such that I now call it an "original-restored" car: 95% of the car is original parts that were put on by the factory . . . just now they're rebuilt/refinished, etc. :mrgreen:

Regards,

Randy

Re: Finding details of a barn find

PostPosted: Sun Jul 30, 2017 8:18 pm
by Elanintheforest
Andiken wrote:. I've just finished an 8 year restoration of a '56 MGA roadster to concourse condition and find myself at a loose end and in need of something to tinker with. I've always fancied a plus 2 and am looking for a long term project. Resale value Vs cost to restore isn't a major issue, it's more about enjoying the journey and the end result. I don't really want an mot'd running car, I like to buy them in boxes!.


You have just about summed up exactly how I have been involved in classic cars for the past 40 years! But it is worth spelling out the costs and massive time needed even if you do all the work yourself. as many folks start off thinking they can sort out a box of bits into a car for ?5k in a year!

If you find something put photos up and get opinions...you will get many! But if like me you find it hard to take the rose-tinted glasses off when planning out your next few years of fun, other people's sometimes brutal opinions can genuinely be useful.

I've had a few Plus 2 cars, but am down to one now, Experience and age is teaching me well!!

Re: Finding details of a barn find

PostPosted: Sun Jul 30, 2017 8:41 pm
by Andiken
Over the years I have had my rose tinted glasses removed!

I have restored two mgb's, done one mgb V8 conversion, one basket case midget, two mini's and my worse than basket case A. The body was in two pieces and the chassis was twisted, but it's a very early 1500 car and worth saving.

My ethos is repair rather than replace, no matter the cost in terms of money or time. I do 99% of the work myself.

For the plus 2, I'd rather refurbish,sympathetically, original parts than replace. Refurbished parts are part of the history of the car and shouldn't be discarded. Hence the question about parts availability.

It's nice when others are on the same page!

Re: Finding details of a barn find

PostPosted: Sun Jul 30, 2017 9:46 pm
by Sea Ranch
Well, then . . . I'm sure Mark would join me in saying Welcome, Andy. You have found kindred spirits here, and you no doubt will be able to make a great contribution to our community as well :mrgreen:

Randy

Re: Finding details of a barn find

PostPosted: Sun Jul 30, 2017 9:50 pm
by Andiken
Thanks Randy and Mark,
If I could work out how to post photos, I'd pop some before and after photos of the A for general amusement and hilarity!

Re: Finding details of a barn find

PostPosted: Sun Jul 30, 2017 10:37 pm
by Sea Ranch
Let me take a crack at that . . .

Click the reply button.
On the reply page you'll see a text box for typing. Below the text box is an "upload attachment" button. Click it.
You'll see a "choose file" button. Click it. Search through your pix and select one.
The file name of your pic will now appear on the reply page, to the right of the Choose file button. Also, you'll now see a Add the file button. Click it.
The file is now uploaded to the server. You'll now see a "file comment" box which you can use to type in a caption if you which, and a "place inline" button. Put your cursor in the text box and click where in your text message you'd like to place the pick. Then click the Place inline button.
Check on your progress by clicking the Preview button.

Hope that helps!!

Randy

Re: Finding details of a barn find

PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 5:55 am
by Andiken
As promised some before MGA pics, I must have been mad!!
dscf0313.jpg and

dscf0334.jpg and

dscf0335.jpg and


And after eight years she now looks like this...
img_1078.jpg and

img_1079.jpg and

img_1081.jpg and

Re: Finding details of a barn find

PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 7:01 am
by Sea Ranch
Dude . . . ! :shock: :mrgreen:

Great admiration here.

And interesting blue. What is that?

Re: Finding details of a barn find

PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 7:46 am
by Andiken
Its Glacier Blue, the original colour of the car. I had the paint matched from some original paint found under some underseal on the underside of the scuttle, boot lid and bonnet. The colour was only available for a year or two. The car is exactly as it left the factory apart from the Derrington steering wheel.

Re: Finding details of a barn find

PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 9:57 am
by 661
The MG looks amazing.
Enjoy the Lotus journey. I have to say, the barn find sounds interesting. Partly because it could be an original numbers 5 speed.

Re: Finding details of a barn find

PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 10:05 am
by Andiken
Thanks. The barn find is a 130/5 but has no engine or gearbox. I have a second project on the back burner as an option but it's an early straight plus 2, not an S or a 130, however it is a numbers matching car.

Re: Finding details of a barn find

PostPosted: Sat Aug 05, 2017 12:09 pm
by pauljones
Hi.

Sounds like a plan, hope you end up with a great plus 2.

I have 2 of them,only one is driving and the other needs a magician. Infact my working one is a daily driver that still needs work on it. I love the howl of the engine when its being pushed hard. I can put up with its flaws and the time it needs to keep running.

PS anyone know the lottery numbers for this week

Re: Finding details of a barn find

PostPosted: Sat Aug 05, 2017 3:08 pm
by Andiken
One of the prospective project cars has no gutter or sill chrome strips. Is this a problem? From speaking to a couple of specialists it seems it might be. Are they available? Does anyone have spares that they would be willing to part with in exchange for beer tokens?