What's a reasonable budget for GT body work : MGB & GT Forum : MG Experience Forums : The MG Experience

What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #1
Lacrosse33 David Jefferson Birmingham, USA	Posted: May 08, 2012 07:26AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 15

I am the original owner of a73 GT. I want to change the color and paint the entire body. I think the right rear panel is best replaced due to lots of surface rust and dents. I also need to replace the front and rear sections that go behind the bumpers - dented and split. Any rule of thumb guidance. I'm not looking to create a show piece but I want a good job.

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #2
gooser Drake Myers Danville Va, USA	Posted: May 08, 2012 07:50AM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 6,927

you doing this yourself or............?

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #3
ClayJ Clay Johnston Mt. Olive, MS, USA 1972 MG MGB	Posted: May 08, 2012 08:29AM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 7,359

A rear quarter panel is a lot of work to replace by today's standards.

Rear valance is a lot of work as well, keep in mind the fit/finish of the rear valance was never very good from the factory.

The front valance is just a bolt-on replacmenet, no big deal.

If you are going to strip the car to a shell, strip/blast and work up from there your probably looking at 8k to 10k. It will be MUCH more if you pay someone to disassemble/reassemble to/from the shell.

The real issue is finding someone reputable willing to do the work properly in a reasonable time. Process will take many months at best.

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #4
NewBRG72B Rodney McLain Greenville SC, USA 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class "The SLK" 2004 Volvo V70 "The Wagon" 2008 Mercedes-Benz E320 "The Diesel"	Posted: May 08, 2012 08:52AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 787

Like most LBC budgets, it is unlimited......

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #5
Lacrosse33 David Jefferson Birmingham, USA	Posted: May 08, 2012 08:58AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 15

In part. I have already stripped the body of windows, chrome, all of the interior except for the seats and floorboard pads. I have no idea what I am doing but my plan is to 1) have a sports car guy look at it and render an informed opinion, 2) get it started which should be pretty easy with new battery and fluids, 3) put it up on a lift and see what the under carriage looks like, 4) consult with an MG enthusiast here to locate the right people to help me. Obviously, I do not have the facilities to pull an engine and remove a body from the chassis.

Can I not repaint with this level of tear down? I could paint the engine compartment a different color, say black, with spray can paint.

Further thoughts....?

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #6
NOHOME Peter Plouf London, Canada 1961 Austin-Healey Sprite Bugeye "Lil" 1967 MG MGB GT "Maggie (GT From Hell)"	Posted: May 08, 2012 09:10AM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 11,889

In reply to # 2061696 by Lacrosse33 I am the original owner of a73 GT. I want to change the color and paint the entire body.

I take this to mean that you are going to pull the engine and do the trunk areas. What about interior? Are you doing the mechanical work to disassemble the car?

In reply to # 2061696 by Lacrosse33
I think the right rear panel is best replaced due to lots of surface rust and dents. I also need to replace the front and rear sections that go behind the bumpers - dented and split. Any rule of thumb guidance. I'm not looking to create a show piece but I want a good job.

I am not real clear on what panels you are refering to. I THINK you mean front and rear valance plus some quarter pannel work.
The quarter panel is going to be the killer pricewise. Perhaps this wont be the case since you are the original owner, but once work starts, there are always surprises. Post up some pics for a better opinion.

Farmed out, I dont see a good color change paint job being less than $10,000; its just A LOT of hours and they dont come cheap. If you can find the hobby guy who works out of his garage, you can save some $$$, but keep in mind that you need to be the project manager on the job unless the guy is focused on MGBs.

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #7
Bankerdanny Daniel Palmer Chicagoland, USA 1972 MG MGB GT "Dudley" 1977 Honda MC Gold Wing	Posted: May 08, 2012 09:36AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 1,055

Post some pictures of the areas you are talking about, that will make it easier to provide you with feedback.

Endeavor to Persevere

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #8
rlich8 Royal Lichter Chicago, USA 1971 Jaguar E-Type Convertible 1976 Triumph TR6	Posted: May 08, 2012 11:08AM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 1,750

I am sorry for your wallet. sad smiley

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #9
tbarker7815 Tom . Knoxville, TN, USA 1979 MG MGB Limited Edition (LE)	Posted: May 08, 2012 01:12PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 2,869

I wouldn't be taking all of it apart util I got some idea what it was going to cost, just in case it was a lot more than I wanted to put into it.

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #10
TxBrit Rodger M Fort Worth, Texas, USA 1969 MG MGB 1969 MG MGB "Old Yeller"	Posted: May 08, 2012 02:16PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 257

It is ALWAYS more than you want to put into it !!!

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #11
100DashSix Dan K Alexandria, Virginia, USA	Posted: May 08, 2012 02:34PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 142

I suggest checking the under carriage for rust as well. Take a pick at poke at suspect areas of the castle rails and sills.

To learn more about the entire rebuild process, there's an episode of the excellent show An MG Is Born that teaches you about the whole process of bodywork and common rust areas. They replace a dog leg, rear fender, floor panels, and castle rails.

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #12
dtownsend David Townsend Rutland, Vermont USA, USA	Posted: May 08, 2012 06:25PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 922

"What's a reasonable budget for GT body work ?"

Personally, I know others will speak up here, but I've always had a hard time putting the words "reasonable" and "budget" together when talking about my LBC. Seems like an oxymoron. No?

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #13
ozieagle Herb Adler Geelong Victoria, Australia 1958 Wolseley 1500 "Wooly" 1966 MG MGB "Bl**dy B"	Posted: May 08, 2012 07:46PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 1,363

A quote from elsewhere came to mind:

"If you have to ask, you can't afford it"

Herb

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #14
Starbuck Monte johnjulio Greensboro, North Carolina, USA 1967 MG MGB GT "Toaster" 1974 MG MGB "The B" 1979 Triumph Spitfire 1500 "Shitfire"	Posted: May 08, 2012 08:31PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 3,316

To do it right, take the amount you have budgeted and multiply it by 2.5.
When you have that amount realize that it's about half of what you'll be spending for a professional job.

Body work and paint is, by far, the most expensive part of any restoration.
The more of it you can do yourself, the better off you'll be.

"...They say that a man with two restoration projects is a poor man...I now have three...WTF was I thinking!?!?!?!?!?!?!" UPDATE---I now have four projects!

1967 MGB-GT, 1974 MGB Roadster, 1995 Chevrolet Corvette LT-1, 1979 Triumph Spitfire 1500, 2010 Mini Cooper Convertible (Wifey's)

My 1974 MGB restoration at: http://mgbproject.blogspot.com/
My 1979 Spitfire restoration at: http://spitfire1500project.blogspot.com/
My 1967 MGB-GT restoration at: http://mgbgtproject.blogspot.com/

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #15
ClayJ Clay Johnston Mt. Olive, MS, USA 1972 MG MGB	Posted: May 08, 2012 09:26PM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 7,359

David,
Not sure I follow all the disassembly and your statement "Obviously, I do not have the facilities to pull an engine and remove a body from the chassis." Lots of these cars have been rehab'd in a single car garage. You do need an enclosed work area but not that large. The car will be down for months.

FYI, there is no separate chassis on a B, its a unitized body assembly, all the strength needed is in the body. Provided there's limited rust issues.

Before going further, I would also suggest watching the "A MG Is Born" videos.

One option might be a rolling restoration. That would get most of the work done with the exception of the underside.

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #16
pinkyponk Adrian Page Nova Scotia Canada, Canada 1971 MG MGB GT 1973 MG MGB MkIII	Posted: May 08, 2012 09:45PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 2,726

In reply to # 2061766 by Lacrosse33 In part. I have already stripped the body of windows, chrome, all of the interior except for the seats and floorboard pads. I have no idea what I am doing but my plan is to 1) have a sports car guy look at it and render an informed opinion, 2) get it started which should be pretty easy with new battery and fluids, 3) put it up on a lift and see what the under carriage looks like, 4) consult with an MG enthusiast here to locate the right people to help me. Obviously, I do not have the facilities to pull an engine and remove a body from the chassis.

Can I not repaint with this level of tear down? I could paint the engine compartment a different color, say black, with spray can paint.

Further thoughts....?

Gag.

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #17
DiBiaso Ad'm DiBiaso Haverhill, MA, USA 1978 MG MGB	Posted: May 08, 2012 09:50PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 1,057

I'm going to go against the grain and say I don't mind a black engine compartment. Then again, kind of liked the mg prototype that was discussed the other week, so don't trust me regarding aesthetics grinning smiley

In reply to # 2062467 by pinkyponk

In reply to # 2061766 by Lacrosse33 In part. I have already stripped the body of windows, chrome, all of the interior except for the seats and floorboard pads. I have no idea what I am doing but my plan is to 1) have a sports car guy look at it and render an informed opinion, 2) get it started which should be pretty easy with new battery and fluids, 3) put it up on a lift and see what the under carriage looks like, 4) consult with an MG enthusiast here to locate the right people to help me. Obviously, I do not have the facilities to pull an engine and remove a body from the chassis.

Can I not repaint with this level of tear down? I could paint the engine compartment a different color, say black, with spray can paint.

Further thoughts....?

Gag.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/08/2012 09:51PM by DiBiaso.

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #18
gooser Drake Myers Danville Va, USA	Posted: May 08, 2012 09:58PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 6,927

david, if you've owned this car for 39 years why are you just now deciding to destroy it?

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #19
Lacrosse33 David Jefferson Birmingham, USA	Posted: May 08, 2012 10:43PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 15

This was my first posting here and the responses are an interesting mix of the serious and useful as well as sarcastic cheap shots. Please do keep the cards and letters coming. Several have suggested watching "An MG is Born". It is quite the eye opener. Evans is great. Several have also asked for pix which I will be sending them so they can offer a more informed opinion. After looking at the program, I do think mine is in much better shape. Am I wrong in concluding that the biggest hurdle to a color change is the engine compartment? (thus the harshly ridiculed suggestion of a black engine compartment.) If I don't pull the engine the job would appear much more affordable if less totally esthetically pleasing.

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #20
pinkyponk Adrian Page Nova Scotia Canada, Canada 1971 MG MGB GT 1973 MG MGB MkIII	Posted: May 09, 2012 06:33AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 2,726

It wasn't harsh. It was my opinion. You can paint the engine bay with a rattle can if you like... heck, you can epoxy chicken feathers all over the car if you want.

How are you going to rattle can the engine bay with black paint (gag) without making a royal mess of the wiring, brake lines etc.? It would be better off rusty.(for me)

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