Dennis writes:
> I have the opportunity to buy a '74 B at a reasonable cost, but there is a
> problem..."typical" MGB rust. This car is probably going to need a
> sill/floorpan replacement sometime soon. The rest of the car is in pretty
> Can any competent body shop handle this, or should I look for a "specialist"?
I would definatelt take it to a specialist - ie someone who has worked on these
cars for several yaers. In Nov. I went to see a Mini which had had a "new sills
and floors" welded in by a non-specialist. When I asked him if he had used
Moss parts or original BMC parts, his reply was "Who is BMC ?". He basically,
made floors and sills out of sheet metal and welded them in, leaving out
several important strengthing ribs in the floor.
> Also, in the last issue of the Moss catalog that I've seen, there was a part
> number for the Heritage shells, but no price, I assume meaning it is not
> available. (Either that or "If you have to ask, you can't afford it
> anyway.").Are these available in the U.S.? How much $$$?
I looked into this about 18 months ago and at the time Moss was having a sale
on the BMH shell, If I recall the price was $2999. That includes hood, doors
and trunk.
> Anybody done a reshell or known some one who has?
I picked up a shell 14 months ago which had been bought by the owner to use
as a spare shell for his race car. The shell has never been on the road, nor
has it ever had en engine installed.
I am currently doing a reshelling of a 1963 MGB.
The shell has been media-blasted, primed (DP40) and last Sunday came back
from the paint shop (Ditzler Tartan Red).
So far I have spent about $2000 on the completed shell (includeing paint).
Monday the rebuilt front suspension was installed
Tuesday the rebuilt rear suspension was installed
Tonight the pedal box assembly and brake/clutch master cylinders go in.
Everything that is going on the shell is either brand new or built. I have just
received my 3rd order from Vicy Brit for things like wheel bearings, brake
and clutch cylinders, brake hoses, brake lines etc.....
Last week I went to a bolts and fasteners supply shop and bought boxes of
grade 5 bolts, nuts, washers, Nylocks etc.....
I think the 2 biggest and time consuming items will be to make and install
the brake lines and to make and install the wiring harness. I always make my
own wiring harness with every circuit independantly fuses and earthed. I
do NOT like the idea of having unfused circuits or shared earths.
The rebuilt engine and gearbox goes in after the brakes pipes are installed
so I reckon my Mid-Mrach I should have the car running under it's own power
(for the first time in the shells history !!!!)
I reckon that once I get the car on the road, it would cost me about $10,000.
BUT it will be like a brand new car, safe in the knowledge that all the
components are new/rebuilt.
gerry
BTW -
I never started out with a parts car. I have been collecting parts from
several parts cars that friends of mine have. The front suspension came from
one car, the rear suspension from another, the windshield I hads lying around,
the heater system from yet another parts car, the engine and gearbox from a
machine shop who did the work, but the customer never showed up to pick
the parts up. The machine shop was super happy to get rid of the engine
for a couple of hundred bucks (I have the receipt for all the work done - I
think I got a bargain, but only time will tell).
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