[Mgs] '65B Restoration Status, How to Proceed

[Dan DiBiase]

I apologize for the length of this note.....

My '65 B has been stuck in limbo for a few years now, as circumstances have made it difficult for me to free up any time to work on this project. But I expect to have sometime this coming year to re-start.... Here is the background -
I purchased this car in 1999 with the intention of restoring it to (mostly) stock condition, not to be a concours car but an enjoyable driver. 'Mostly stock' meant, in my mind, 
that it wouldn't necessarily be as it came from the factory - I want to put an O/D in it as well as upgraded tires, etc. The condition of the car was pretty darn good for a $600,non-running example. There is one rust hole in the passenger's side rocker, so I assume that there is additional inside and on the other, although frankly they are in bettershape than the ones on my '76 B! Also some rust in the rear fender. But overall, the body is in good shape. Mechanically, the parts are all there but the engine accessories
were all removed when I bought the car and the engine itself is seized. It is probably the incorrect engine for the car, being a G-series 3 main bearing car - it should be a GB5 main bearing engine based on the build date. I have a couple of GB blocks that are rebuildable. I may also just take the '75B engine out of my '76B and use that, as I expectthe '76B - being pretty rusty - to only have a few years of life left in the body....

Current status is 'mostly' stripped. Wiring loom, engine/trans, steering column all remain in the car. Everything else has been removed and stored away.
I'm at the point where I need to make a decision about proceeding. I am assuming that my next step would be to remove the engine/trans and wiring, and I can proceed to havethe body looked at...? I don't really have the skills/tools to do the welding work necessary to replace the rockers, nor am I really that interested in learning... ;-) The nearest MG 
'specialists' are over an hour away but there are several reputable body shops in my area (at which I have had work done on my 'regular' cars). I'm wondering about thoughts on 
using a regular shop. And also what sort of things I can do in terms of prep to reduce the cost of this work. 

Other comments appreciated.
Oh, and lots of pictures are here => http://s24.photobucket.com/user/ddibiase/library/1965%20MGB?sort=3&page=1

Thx,
Dan D'76B, '65BCentral NJ USA
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