Bob Allen wrote:
>Mx6perform wrote:
>>I have a 76' MGB and am thinking about dropping the car and putting
chrome >>bumpers on it or maybe the LeMans type smooth look. Does anyone
know anyother >>options I have? Bodykits, other types of bumpers,etc..
>
>It's not economically feasible. If you sold your car, added a couple more
>grand, and bought a chrome bumper, you would be much better off.
Not economically feasible? Yes and no. Here's what I've got in
my "Sebring" conversion of my '75 'B (I'll not count items that would
be considered normal replacement bits, like bushings):
rear valance $130
front valance $60
lowered front springs *and* rear lowering blocks $75 (good used)
front turn signal lamps $25 (I had one already, got the other from a 'yard)
front fenders for CB style turn signals $5 (materials cost)
rear things under tail lights $5 (materials cost)
grille $nothing (off a parts car)
rubber bumper MGB to "Sebring" style as shown at
http://www.teamsanctuary.com/album07.htm
total: $300
Of course this doesn't count some work that other folks
would have to do, such as I happened to be repainting my
car at the time.
My "materials cost" comments are regarding some sheet metal
work that we did (I had help) instead of buying new correct
chrome bumper fenders. Like a lot of things on old cars,
if you have more time than money, and are pretty good
at scrounging, it may not be such a bad option.
I think that because list demographics (I may be wrong here, but
this is the feeling I get), many on this list forget that "a couple
more grand" for some of us is not at all economically feasible,
however doing a couple weekends of panel beating and welding and
buying a bit here and there is a strong possibility. Not everyone
on the list is an older guy with a toy for nostalgia (and the income
of a more established person). Some of us dearly love MGs, but can't
afford another car or three, and we get by with what we have.
If you look at new parts prices, and just taking it to someone
and saying "build my '75 'B into a Sebring replica", yeah, you're
talking big money.
We've discussed automotive social strata before and this list, and
one of the things that always infuriates me is the "you shouldn't
even have a classic MG because you can't afford to hire someone
else to build it" attitude that seems to be so prevelant at
car shows.
I'd love it if I had "a couple more grand" sitting around to throw
at my V-8 conversion, but I don't. If so, it'd be done. But for
now, I'm finding my bits, building what I can myself, and cleaning
and reading...
-Keith Wheeler
Team Sanctuary http://www.teamsanctuary.com/
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