‘49 MG TC | Bradley Restoration

Bonnet Fit

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:34:41 -0700

Careful trimming, shimming and adjustment of the grille shell gave us a perfect bonnet fit at the front. We had panels from at least 3 different cars here.

Home Again for the First Time

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:12:34 -0700

Friends and neighbors smile as she is delivered in Edmonton, Alberta!

Final assembly

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:12:09 -0700

Time to start putting it all together. The tub is now mounted on the chassis for good, and the trim and accessories are starting to go on.

That Ain't Right...

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:11:54 -0700

A test-fit of the dashboard shows that there is not enough room to fit the beading between it and the cowl. The dash will be carefully trimmed so that the beading will fit snugly, but not be too tight. The green tape is to protect the walnut veneer underneath.

Front Apron

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:11:23 -0700

Dents, cracks and tears were removed and a nice, smooth radius put back into the front edge.

In the cockpit

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:09:03 -0700

You simply have to have some driving gloves and goofy goggles!

Details, details

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:08:38 -0700

The all-important door fit, as well as the geometry of the windscreen brackets, assure that the whole thing will operate as it says it should on the side of the packet.

Rear Wings

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:08:27 -0700

We were able to get the rear wing to match up within an eighth of an inch, which is good enough for Abingdon!

Under my Wing

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:08:22 -0700

Several inches of beaded and rolled edge gets replaced, and then new reinforcing strip will be applied. This time, there will be a drain hole, so we won't have to do it all over again in a few years.

Paint Finishing

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:06:09 -0700

After painting, any surface flaws are removed, and the whole thing gets wet-sanded with 1500-grit paper, then 2000-grit paper, then buffed back to a uniform shine. This gets done to every exterior panel.

Surface

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:06:03 -0700

This is the third and final coat of primer-surfacer. By this time, the shape is correct and there are no flaws. We sand this final coat down with 600-grit for a uniform texture. No bodywork should show through at this point. Should we break through the surfacer, there would be a visible texture change and it will most likely show up in the final paint. Better to fix it now, while it is easy to work than to have to work twice as hard to fix a paint blemish.

Interior Trimming

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:05:33 -0700

The interior is halfway finished. Not visible is a fair amount of sound deadening that was applied anywhere it would help with vibration, but not be detectable.

Side Screen Frames

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:05:21 -0700

Several owner's worth of repairs and patches were eradicated and the frames were straightened and mitered to match up to the windscreen, and to each other.

smile!

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:04:14 -0700

Wilson TC

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:04:11 -0700

Debuting at the VanDusen Gardens in Vancouver, BC.

Pretty Maids all in a Row

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:04:08 -0700

Showing off at VanDusen Gardens, certainly one of the best British car shows on the West Coast.

Weather Equipment

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:03:37 -0700

Fitting the hood at the same time as the side screens makes all of the edges fit properly

Tub Mounting

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:03:25 -0700

The tub gets mounted in its final position, with fibre shims as needed, so that the doors fit and close properly. If it is not done right now, it never will be right.

That's not so bad...

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:02:27 -0700

It turns out that the bonnet panels came from three different cars. Quite a lot of trimming and adjustment were needed to make it fit as it should.

Crack me Up...

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:02:12 -0700

This often-fractured area at the lower edge of the front wing gets some old brazed-in patchwork removed and good steel put in its place. A small fillet will be added for durability.