MG TC restoration

My father may pass on his MG TC to me since he cannot afford to keep it in storage any more. We now have to decide if I take over the storage costs, sell it, or restore it (then maybe sell it). Basically, a small fortune has been spent over the last 40 years keeping this car in a dry garage and we need to be a bit hard-headed about the next stage.

The car is complete and was driven into storage when a mudguard fell off and my father (then a student) couldn't afford to repair it. I'm guessing it needs a complete rebuild including internal wooden framework.

Does anyone know of the approximate cost of a full restoration by a reputable company? and the expected value after restoration? Maybe you can recommend a good company to perform this restoration.

Also, if we had to sell now what would be a reasonable price?

Many thanks for any advice and ideas,

Cheers,

Jonathan

Reply to
banana_wa_nanaban
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Almost certainly less than the cost. Some might be willing to have a car they cherish restored and pay that cost for the pleasure it will give in use, but that's different from buying an already restored one. Only very rare cars can recover the true cost of a decent restoration. And the TC is very desirable, but not that rare.

According to Practical Classics a good one should fetch about 15,000 quid.

PC reckons on circa 7000 - but of course this still depends on the actual condition.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

Dead right. One of the specialist restorers of pre-war MG saloons once told me that all that varied was the factor by which restoration cost exceeded market value. The TC, being desirable, relatively simple, and with good parts availability, might even manage to fetch 75% of its restoration cost. A pre-war Rolls-Royce, especially with an ugly limousine body, might cost 15k to buy, 120k to restore, and fetch £35k.

And also its originality. MGs of all ages have been tinkerers' and bodgers' cars, and many have been fitted with very (e.g. Ford) or slightly (e.g. Wolseley 4/44) engines. The other danger is that a restorer who does good work but who does not specialise in T-types could commit awful crimes that lower its final value - like chrome plating the tank straps, or using Phillips-head screws on the windscreen frame.

I'd put the unrestored value between £4000 and £6000 if it's all there but a long way from being a runner.

Reply to
Autolycus

Right. Assuming the lower end for a complete and not messed about with car

- 4000, and 15000 for a good straight one, that leaves around 10k to play with for a restoration. Labour is likely to cost at least 40 quid an hour at a reasonable workshop equipped for such a task, so ignoring materials gives a figure of approx 250 hours work, or 6 normal weeks. Put in that way it's easy to see how the only way to do it properly without a deep wallet is yourself.

It seems some are shipping cars to the old eastern block for restoration where the labour costs are a fraction of here.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

How long is a piece of string?

Pretty much 99% of the time, a fair bit less than the restoration.

Reply to
Conor

A big "thank you" to all those who replied with very helpful advice! Clearly the 'hard-headed' approach is indeed best if we can overcome the sentimenal feelings. With small children I'm not in a position to give this car the time and money it deserves. Looks like the sale of a restoration project is on the cards.

Can anyone suggest a good place to advertise such a project, eBay/ Practical Classics/etc?

Many thanks,

Jonathan

Reply to
banana_wa_nanaban

You could give these folks a ring

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They seem to have a lot of MGBs going through their workshops (but then there are a fair number of MGBs around) but I have seen other stuff in there too, and they did a very nice repair and paint job on my PI (not quick, not cheap, but lovely to look at afterwards, and a full set of restoration photos to keep). They should be able to give you some idea of cost.

Jim

Reply to
Jim Warren

So why guess? Work it out first, then decide.

There's no reason why it _should_ need a new body frame, if it has been stored as you describe. Even if it does, this is viable for a self-restoration (they're available - T series parts are almost commonplace).

Reply to
Andy Dingley

Get in touch with John James of the MG T Register. (http://

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He will be very interested in knowing the engine and chassis numbers for the register and will advertise it for you in the Register journal and website.

The earlier replies are all pretty much on the ball with good information.

Gordon

1946 TC
Reply to
gbubb

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