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MG MGB Technical - Life is bad . . . then i bought an MG, help!!

Okay, last weekend went like this: drive back to parents house to pick up some stuff, then off for a stag weekend. I fell at the first hurdle when the MG broke down (for the third time since i have owned it . . . in eight weeks). I didn't have time to sort it on friday so i stashed it in a nearby pub car park after speaking to the very nice landlady.

Cue sunday afternoon, very hungover: Ring breakdown recovery and get a lift to the car. Push it out of car park on to road. Mate starts talking pictures of it and notices a large dent in the front (drivers side) of the bonnet, and also the chrome grill. Some a**hole had backed into it with their damn tow-bar-endowed 4x4, then just driven off . . . not what I wanted really, especially as they didn’t even have the decency to leave an apology letter . . .

SO, having just had the battery, alternator and a few other bits replaced to sort the electrical problems, the garage quoted me a huge £150 to sort the bonnet, plus whatever its gonna cost to get a new grill.

Personally, it looks as though i could do it myself with a few taps in the right place, but i dont want to try.

Does anyone know of anywhere or someone in the northwest (i.e. Liverpool area) that may be able to help me out. And, also, how mich is a new chrome grill for a MkII?? ( I still reckon an expert could fix that aswell . . .)

please help as i have already sacked off one show (my first) this coming weekend because of it and i dont wanna miss anymore this summer :)

cheers

ollyhayter@hotmail.com
OT Hayter

It will get better!

In the meantime try someone like Andy Jennings for used bits: http://www.mgcars.org.uk/andyjennings/mgb.htm

A new grille is about £60 but the chrome will fall off if you are unlucky. If the bonnet is a common colour it may be as cheap to replace with used as repair? If the garage quote includes painting it's pretty cheap.
Steve Postins

Hey O.T.

I'm sorry I cant help you with your request however all I want to say is HANG in there mate it will get better.

Your perserverance will soon pay off and you will be enjoying all things MG.

Cheers
Dino....accross the pond
Dino

Once upon a time I had a '72 midget as my daily driver. For about 18 months it seemed like every weekend I was replacing or repairing some other bit that had fallen off, worn out, broken or otherwise headed south.

After that, it was the most reliable and fun little car in the world - and I was doing a 60 mile round trip in it five times a week.

It really will get better!

James
J Reinhardt

Try the "Welsh Mg Centre" in Wrexham, just off the A483. They are helpful and can supply either a second hand bonnet or a new pattern part. I know as I have recently had a similar experience.
steve
S Coulson

cheers guys, comments are well appreciated!! will try the guy in Wrexham for a new grill . . .
OT Hayter

Commiserations. I was on a group run in Wales and we stopped off at one of those preserved steam railways. Wandering round in the station I heard some shouts go up and someone said "The purple one's been hit". Mine being Black Tulip I went to the car park with my heart in my mouth to be told some idiot had tried to park but couldn't find any spaces, roared backwards straight at my car, then sped off, although they got his number. I went round the front expecting the worst but couln't see anything, then when I looked closer I noticed from the thin film of dust on the bumper that he had just nudged the overrider about 1/8". Lucky or what.
Paul Hunt

This thread was discussed between 04/08/2004 and 05/08/2004

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