3 minute read
Spare News
SPARES NEWS//
By John Durry
This month we have had a couple of members shifting house and moving into retirement villages, this has prompted them to clean out there garages and we have been treated to some vintage treasures, thanks goes to Fred Payne & Kevin Haywood. I'm sure someone will fine something of interest. Also thanks to Steve Donovan & Hooters for the trailer load of Whippet parts left over from a sale, parts include blocks, guards, and wheels. Fred Payne has also given a collecting of Beaded Wheels from previous years, which will be available for members if they are interested. The write up of Nigel Browns restoration was left out last month, and is on the following page this month. Until next time.
CLUB SPARE PARTS CORNER
For any enquiries phone Brian Taylor on 027 4436009 or contact the Club’s Spares Dept. on Tuesday mornings between 9am & 11am on 06 835 1483.
Restoration of 1946 MG TC 1510
Nigel Brown
Car purchased 22 February 2017 (after 44 years waiting to be restored on a farm at Waitahora outside Dannevirke)
MANUFACTURED: 2 October 1946 IMPORTED INTO NZ: 4 July 1962 PREVIOUS OWNERS: Four LAST REGISTERED: 1973-74
The MG TC first appeared in 1945 and was really a revamped version of the pre-war MG TA/TB models. The TC had classic 1930's MG styling which was exactly what MG buyers were looking for, particularly car-hungry ex-American service men. The TC's classic looks and simple yet effective mechanical’s helped this small sports car to sell in important export markets. Despite the fact that many TC's were exported only RHD versions were available. The cars specification was the normal basic MG package consisting of 19" wire wheels, a fold flat windscreen, cut-away doors, separate wings and petrol tank. The cars "nippy" performance can be best described as leisurely by today's standards, power came from an overhead valve engine of 1250cc I completely disassembled the car, the chassis and other relevant parts were sand blasted and painted. It was not until the car was disassembled that I realised what I had purchased and what a large restoration was going to be required to put it back to the original specs. A full and ever expanding list was made up of the parts required, with a small amount purchased from vendors in NZ but mostly from English vendors. Parts of the wooden body frames and metal panels were rotten or rusted beyond repair so new parts were purchased.
The clubs parts store and team have provided lots of guidance and parts for the car which has helped me tremendously on my very first restoration project. The engine needed a full rebore and sleeved back to the original piston size with the twin SU carburettors refurbished, with worn parts replaced. Gearbox and differential were OK luckily. Anything else that had previously moved (i.e. brakes, cables, bearings) was seized, therefore requiring refurbishment or replacement. Most of the shiny parts were re-chromed. Five new 19inch spoked wheels with new tyres completed the shiny side of the car. Painting (modern original colour Carmine Red) occurred after lockdown and then the car was put back together and upholstered, put through the re-registration process and issued with a VIN, WOF and new plates 22 December 2020. The car will have a new hood and side curtains made and fitted by early June 2020 and then I will be able to go out on the club runs. What have I learnt from this restoration project? – heaps, so much, I am looking for another car to restore and to use the knowledge I have gained. Some would say I am a slow learner.
