Current Projects
1968 MGC GT
Purchased by our Company some 3 years ago as a part stripped restoration project, it was decided to restore the car to show standard and "JVU" would be displayed as an ongoing restoration project cummulating as the finished show standard vehicle.
Initially the car was completely stripped of all mechanical parts including the engine, gearbox and rear axle. The body work was assessed and measurements and datum points taken to ascertain if the body was free of accident damage - all was good.
Having stripped the body shell of paint and then sand blasted it, it was clear to see the common areas of corrosion - namely: floor pans, inner and outer sills and castle sections, front and rear wings and under wing panels to front and rear. All major panel work was replaced using Heritage replacements.
The main chassis, spring hanger areas and torsion bor mounting areas were all solid.
Following extensive panel replacement the whole body received a coat of acid protection followed by a grey primer coating.
At this stage we had booked a show stand at the British Classic Car Show at Shepton Mallett and decided to take "JVU" as a rolling shell to enable visitors to inspect the primed bodyshell and be able to "touch and feel" as opposd to a finished untouchable car. "JVU" was well received and was a good talking point regarding restoration work.
Due to our continuing success in restoring customer cars we were not able to proceed as quickly as predicted on the restoration of "JVU". In fact another year went by and the only difference to the car was that it was now painted in its original Mineral Blue both topside and underside.
Again the British Classic Show was upon us and again, along with 3 other vehicles, we decided to take "JVU" as a painted rolling shell. The response was equal to the previous year and many people recalled seeing it the previous year.
We are now half way through 2008 and events are moving forward with restoring "JVU".
The straight six 3 litre engine has been fully rebuilt including crankshaft regrind, rebore of cylinders, all new pistons, cylinder head converted to unleaded using hardened exhaust seat and phospur bronze guides, camshaft was reprofiled and all new bearing gaskets etc were fitted.
The gearbox in this model was a standard non-overdrive and we decided to modify it to an overdrive gearbox having replaced a couple of worn gearbox syncromesh units and bearings.
The rear axle was changed to 3.7 ratio so as not to be too high geared for the overdrive unit. A new wiring loom to original specification has been fitted and all electrical parts are new or have been reconditioned.
The interior has been completely retrimmed in its original colours of black leather with light blue piping.
TO BE CONTINUED...........
