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MG MGB Technical - Repair of an accident damaged MGBGT

I have bought a recently restored rubber bumper MGBGT as insurance salvage and am getting it back into roadworthy condiotion. The car went through a very thorough rebuild and restoration between 2008 and 2010 and was far too good to let it be broken for spares. It called to me and i went to its aid. Structural damage is limited to the o/s chassis rail so i'm currently in the process of removing the engine and gearbox to get it ready to go onto a computer controlled car jig.

I have seen lots of mgb restoration articles about dealing with rust but very little about correcting impact damage. These are very strong cars and do not deserve to die at the whim of an insurance company !

I will post updates from time to time as I progress and I hope I can inspire others to rescue other accident damaged MGBs


C P Silk

That does look like it was well done before the accident: It would have been a shame to let it be stripped for parts.
You're right about accident damage articles. I remember an article in Practical Classics from the mid 1980's where they pulled out the back end of an MGB but that's the only one I can think of. I expect it's because the equipment you need to do this really is bordering on the professional stuff.

How are you getting on? Please keep us posted!

Mike
Mike Standring

I would seriouly consider taking it to a body shop that has a frame machine. Let them pull it straight and then you can carry on from there.
Sandy
ss sanders


It is booked in for next week to go on a computer controlled jig to straighten the chassis rails and ensure all angles and distances are at book spec. The repairer is an insurance industry approved structural specialist so they will be using the same professional equipment and techniques that are used for insurance company repair work on nearly new cars. Access to this level of kit is not as prohibitive as some would think- about the same cost as a new Heritage front wing or a set of parts for a chrome bumper conversion: it certainly puts it into perspective.

In preparation I have removed the engine and gearbox, taken off the brake servo, master cylinder and stripped out the loom and wiring ancillaries from the inner wing. The crossmember and suspension will come off to be checked for distortion. They asked me to pick up another crossmember as a reference point for the chassis rails in case the original is out of square. They accept that distortion would be very unlikely for a crossmember as heavy as the MGBs but insist this is industry best practice- I can always resell the spare. When they have straightened the rails they will move onto reshaping the inner wing, correcting any welds as required and will then trial fit the bonnet and new front wing to ensure the shut lines are correct before delivering it back.

Fortunately a friend of mine is an experienced car painter so then we can make a start on preparing and painting the engine bay, inner wing and front panel, set to refitting the engine and gearbox, brakes, electrics and steering rack. Once the new front wing is on and painted the remaining pieces of trim can go back on and its time for it to go back on the road.,
C P Silk

it has to look worse before it can start looking better.


C P Silk

This thread was discussed between 07/04/2014 and 02/05/2014

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