MG Midget Forum
Thinking about restoring an MGA, am I nuts?
Posted by walkette
walkette
Jay W
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Topic Creator (OP)
Apr 24, 2014 09:08 PM
Joined 10 years ago
290 Posts
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So I am thinking about restoring an early model MGA. It is my dream car my mom and I would drive around the Seal Beach CA. area in her MGA, I do not remember but I have some great pics.
I have a plan that would last 4 years for the restoration for the cars I am looking at. Tonight at "work" I did a quick cost of restoration and it comes to about $10,000. I know that when it's all said and done you could add a couple thousand to that.
So the dilemma is do I go through the time and frustrations, and ending with the reward of end product, or buy one done and drive it.
I have a plan that would last 4 years for the restoration for the cars I am looking at. Tonight at "work" I did a quick cost of restoration and it comes to about $10,000. I know that when it's all said and done you could add a couple thousand to that.
So the dilemma is do I go through the time and frustrations, and ending with the reward of end product, or buy one done and drive it.
66jalopy
Phillip Jolliffe
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Apr 24, 2014 09:24 PM
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Rick Fawthrop
Richard Fawthrop
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Apr 24, 2014 11:27 PM
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Apr 25, 2014 02:30 AM
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I think it also depends on how much you like restoring in relation to driving. If you enjoy the restoration work as much or maybe even more than the end product, then I would restore one, also just for the fun of it.
Also with regard to the money: when restoring one you will probably have paid more at the end of the line, but it is also spread out over a couple of years.
This in contrast to buying one now: you can, most likely, drive it immediately, have at the least a lot less work , but your bank account needs to be large enough.
Also, it depends on what you're looking for. For me, I like them as original and in a good condition as possible. But they are the most expensive. These are the hardest to find. Then the ones that need restoration: much cheaper, but then you have the restoration costs. And then there are the ones that have already been restored. Up side: done, drive! Down side: money, and, is it done properly? The latter also depends on how much you adhere to originality/restored to original specs. Here in the Netherlands I saw a really nice one, for about 30k, $, but it had a MGB engine in it.
These ae the things I would consider.
Also with regard to the money: when restoring one you will probably have paid more at the end of the line, but it is also spread out over a couple of years.
This in contrast to buying one now: you can, most likely, drive it immediately, have at the least a lot less work , but your bank account needs to be large enough.
Also, it depends on what you're looking for. For me, I like them as original and in a good condition as possible. But they are the most expensive. These are the hardest to find. Then the ones that need restoration: much cheaper, but then you have the restoration costs. And then there are the ones that have already been restored. Up side: done, drive! Down side: money, and, is it done properly? The latter also depends on how much you adhere to originality/restored to original specs. Here in the Netherlands I saw a really nice one, for about 30k, $, but it had a MGB engine in it.
These ae the things I would consider.
Apr 25, 2014 05:02 AM
Top Contributor
Joined 15 years ago
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…if you do, then the MGA Guru web site will become your best friend (actually, anyone with an LBC should know about this site because of the amazing amount of great information available on it):
http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/
Norm
http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/
Norm
rumb
robert unfug
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Apr 25, 2014 08:42 AM
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Apr 25, 2014 09:20 AM
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Your budget is not up to the job. Bottom of the market driver MGA is about 15,000.
Figure even if you do it yourself and use low cost materials, paint and bodywork is going to eat 3k of that budget. That is assuming you don't need to buy a single panel. You still need to do suspension/brakes. Engine/'transmission. Interior/top. Wheel/tires and assorted bits and bobs and trim.
I would not approach an MGA restoration with less than 25,000 in the war chest and that is assuming that I am doing the work and already have the tools.
Restoring is ALWAYS more expensive than buying a finished car.
What I would do with a four year window is to "restore" the car of my dreams by virtually buying a part every month; by that I mean putting 15k in a bank account over 4 years so that I could go buy one. If you don't mind the extra cost, you can do the same thing if you finance, but I don't believe in financing toys.
That all said, you might find a decent bomber for 10k that you can keep running and have a lot of fun; but not restored.
Pete
Figure even if you do it yourself and use low cost materials, paint and bodywork is going to eat 3k of that budget. That is assuming you don't need to buy a single panel. You still need to do suspension/brakes. Engine/'transmission. Interior/top. Wheel/tires and assorted bits and bobs and trim.
I would not approach an MGA restoration with less than 25,000 in the war chest and that is assuming that I am doing the work and already have the tools.
Restoring is ALWAYS more expensive than buying a finished car.
What I would do with a four year window is to "restore" the car of my dreams by virtually buying a part every month; by that I mean putting 15k in a bank account over 4 years so that I could go buy one. If you don't mind the extra cost, you can do the same thing if you finance, but I don't believe in financing toys.
That all said, you might find a decent bomber for 10k that you can keep running and have a lot of fun; but not restored.
Pete
Georgetown, TX, USA
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Apr 25, 2014 09:26 AM
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With the exception of the wood in the tub of a T-series, restoring an MGA would be very similar to a T-series. The chassis has some extra features, and the body is very complex but prone to rust in some nasty places. The aftermarket grilles are notorious for being poor fits, and they used brakes not common to the other MGs. Parts are very reasonably available and they are not that expensive.
Warmly,
Dave
Warmly,
Dave
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Apr 25, 2014 06:02 PM
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Although I enjoy the work involved, if I had the funds in place now, I'd write a check and be driving it four years sooner. And yes, the $10k figure is on the low end, unless you start with a driver, which will greatly increase the price of the project at the front end.
66jalopy
Phillip Jolliffe
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Apr 25, 2014 06:07 PM
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randykieling
Randy Kieling
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Apr 26, 2014 01:56 PM
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I was at a juncture like this a few months ago. New Mini, the way I wanted it , over 30k and from the guys I know that have them, very difficult if not impossible to work on with parts that are incredibly expensive. MGB in fair condition$2800. I went with the B. I've put about 2 k into it and will probably put another few K into it but it'll be a long way from 30k+ not to mention the $100. An hour shop charges. Not to mention everybody has a Mini. In the first week I had it a young guy in a brand new Mustang walks up to me and said, "Wow, I don't know what that is but it sure is cool!"
walkette
Jay W
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Topic Creator (OP)
Apr 26, 2014 03:11 PM
Joined 10 years ago
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Well, I am nuts, went out today to take the 73 MG out for a ride also to look at another midget. The 73 did not start so I took the Dodge Caravan with my wife and bought another midget $300.00 bucks and in better condition than my 73 when I got it.
Pictures will be posted later.
Is there a rehab for my condition?
Pictures will be posted later.
Is there a rehab for my condition?
66jalopy
Phillip Jolliffe
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Apr 26, 2014 03:21 PM
Joined 11 years ago
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