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MG MG Y Type - Baby boomers and Classic Cars

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=1&t=1204525&d=0&nmt=

Interesting article applicable to the MG Y Type but also classic cars in general.
R E Knight

I agree and have thought of this myself...what bothers me apart from the lack of interest in Y types and similar era cars is that few of the younger generation know how to maintain a car that has a carb or distributor points etc and are not inclined to put up with lack of creature comforts that you find in early post war cars. I bought my car in 1980 and after restoring it got side tracked by marriage/children etc and suddenly we are both 60 this year although both feel about 34! Having taken early retirement I am using the car almost daily and even after all these years there's still stuff to sort out! I am very much of the opinion most people are nostalgic for things of their youth so whilst cars post 1970s have no interest to me I suppose younger people will although quite how you restore one given the increasing complexity and plastic (Yuk) is beyond me.Who would want to restore a 70s Austin Allegro or Marina....DVLA records show there are less of these around now than Y types!
D MULLEN

Agree, there has been some debate on the MGCC Forum in respect to the newer current MG6 etc one day being classic, to be honest I can't see it, why because as you say society is all about throwing things away buying new. Cost of new build houses and lack of garage space has lot to do with it, plus changing skills, older generations are more skilled in DIY with the classic having grown up with it, however the opportunity today to maintain older skills is better than before, what stops club producing maintenance videos similar to you tube of certain jobs that are needed to be done i.e basic old change to replacement of brakes etc.
One quiet interesting thought is number of YT (3) YA (4) and YB (1) on website http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/
still not sold, most of these cars have been on there a while, can't see selling any time soon either. I'm sure there are many other examples these are just ones I know of having recently brought a YT and done fair amound of research.
Off for spin in YB been a while since last went out due to not so great weather here.
R E Knight

Richard,
Thanks so much for this thread, it has cheered me up no end. Last month we made the decision to take our 'spare' Y Type, YB 1127, out of deep storage and rebuild it. It is now part way through a full body off weld, lead fill and respray. I was looking forward to putting its rebuilt engine back into the refurbished chassis (I even bought a Sierra 5 speed box for it last week). After reading this thread I now realise I am a daft old f**t for wasting so much time and money on it. Ah well, it was only part of my pension.
Peter

P S Sharp

Peter,

Looks like excellent job and work in progress.

Please do keep a close watch on the recent news about EU proposals for modifications etc, related to MOT in UK, thinking about Sierra Gearbox here. I'm no expert, but have read about proposals related to test safety certificate and originality. Can't see it ever passing law, but...oh yes it is EU proposal so forget common sense and begs question who knows if this ill thought out law will get passed statute.

I recently blew small fee buying MG YT,(nice but not perfect condition) to go with the YB and have already booked room to take one to Germany for next years Sommertreffen.

Look forward to updates and be nice if you were to submit a report of progress with photos to the IMGYTR.

Take care and best of luck

Richard
R E Knight

Peter

Time and money spent on restoring old cars, while probably not the wisest investment in the world or most lucrative, provided you enjoyed doing it, is never a waste!

Keep enjoying and YB 1127 is looking very sweet.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Peter If you fit the 5 cog box there could be one or two tips I could pass on. The Hi Gear conversion is pretty straight forward but just needs a little thought at times. You will find on the road just how good the Y type can be, it is a really worth while conversion, but a little more performance puts the icing on the cake, and the simplest is just by skimming the head to give 8.5 compression. As for the EU it is debatable what the principles will be. Under the MOT regulations one needed to fit two rear reflecters, windscreen washers, also modern replacement parts vary from original, modern fuels require harder valve seats etc. A five speed box makes the car more safe on the motorway and so it goes on. There is no doubt that to fit a new body shell, modern drive chain and running gear is pushing it too far.

B Mellem

As an after thought the Ford Sierra gearbox is getting a bit vintage now ! Bryan
B Mellem

Thanks for the comments, we are of course doing it to get a YB back on the road; it hasn't run since the 1970s. Investment is never a good reason to restore a car, enjoyment and pride are the only worthwhile reasons.
I shall look forward to jackbooted EU officials banging on my door in the middle of the night because they have discovered that I have replaced my MG gearbox with a Type 9 Ford one.
David, it was your description of driving back to Wales on the motorway after our French adventure that finally persuaded me to get a 5 speed box; that and feeling an idiot because I still reach over and try to get the car into 5th every few miles. I will be picking your brain when the conversion kit arrives.
The car is now in as bad a state as it's ever likely to be; it's amazing what the blaster reveals, however gentle they are. And the least said about the state of the A pillars the better, I don't know how they kept the roof up.
Now here's a question for you all; what colour should we finish it in?
Peter
P S Sharp

Peter, Well done good to hear another Y Type being restored, especially with evidence to prove it is being restored, many talk about it few succeed.

You ask what colour? I'd opt back to the original return it to how it was when left Abingdon if you know the original colour.

Peter, perhaps you could start diary of monthly updates and submit to the IMGYTR for section on restorations, would it work. One fascinating things is looking at processes of restorations especially when consider the cost and time. Back in 2005 when I stripped my YB back to bare metal nothing would inspired more than reading about problems and how it was overcome because shared problem gives reassurance and inspiration to carry on. Take the recent post about YT and dilemma of the new owner pondering on whether to proceed or abandon.
Perhaps section titled past and present restoration be good addition?
R E Knight

Last night I wrote; 'David, it was your description of driving back to Wales on the motorway after our French adventure that finally persuaded me to get a 5 speed box;'
Brian, I meant Brian. Sorry.
The car was green when it left Abingdon, but I don't want it that colour. I am thinking about a non original colour scheme.
P S Sharp

Peter, I like you are in the process of a nut and bolt restoration. After spending a year on my body, welding leading ,filling etc it is now ready for its final coat of paint. Over the year I have changed my mind many times, anguished over whether I should stick to an original colour or choose non original.

The problem I have is that there was little choice of colour and after attending the last 2 spring runs there were quite a few of each colour scheme so my freshly restored car would look like all the others. I have therefore decided to go for a non original colour.

I probably have an excuse for going non original as my YA is a CKD car and was shipped to Ireland in boxes painted in primer, so it could have been painted any colour by the company who rebuilt the car.

This week I took my body and panels to my local painter and have decided to paint it a very light silvery gold, I will suggest,tongue in cheek, that it is the Irish version of Sun bronze.

After much thought and deliberation I decided that I am restoring the car for me and I should be happy with the finished item so should paint it in the colour I prefer rather than try to make it look like it just left the factory.

Hope this helps Chris
C A Pick

Interesting views, it is individual preference, but do consider in the event of a need of re-sale if ill, death or other change forces need to sell. I accept colour can be changed but still not cheap. Therefore standard colour is more likely to retain better value. Best of luck to you both.
R E Knight

I am with Chris on this, I have seen lots of other Ys on runs and I feel that I'd like something different. I have an original YA in its original black, so i feel entitled to something non-original on the YB; I'm paying for it anyway. The trouble is that when you have complete choice, it is difficult to choose. Don't worry though, it won't be striped or spotted. Although now I think about it....
P S Sharp

Bryan Mellem,

Excellent article (One of many) on page 12 of MG Octagon Car Club Bulletin.
The outlook is not good.

R E Knight

Well Peter I had my painter paint a panel in my chosen colour. Today I went to have a look and am disappointed to say that I agreed with the painter it does not look right, it is too modern a colour, so back to the drawing board.

After trawling thought hundreds of paint cards I have returned to my very first choice of many months ago and guess what? it is reasonably close to the original colour Maroon with cream sides.

Ah well as least the wife's happy, it was her choice all along ....

Chris
C A Pick

And therein lies the secret to contentment Chris!
Paul Barrow

Chris,

Do you remember our conversation at Silverstone?

Very dark maroon, cream sides and wheels.

Rob
Rob King

Chris,

You probably won't remember seeing it, but my YA is finished in a dark maroon with cream sides & wheels. See YA's On Parade Y 2399.

Obviously not a standard colour scheme but I like it, and the car is always admired wherever it goes.

I don't think the colour rendition you will see on your computer screen is quite right, but I'm happy to post you a photo if it helps. You're welcome to call and take a look if you're over this way at any time.

Bill

W M (Bill) Bennett

Hi Rob and Bill,

Yes Rob I remember our conversation, that's what prompted me to change my proposed colour scheme, I did not want to be seen to copy your excellent restoration.

Bill I remember our chats at the two previous spring runs and I was also concerned about copying your colour scheme.

However, one has to make a choice and at the end of the day I have dithered and dallied for long enough, so I have come to the conclusion that I am not copying I am just choosing a popular colour choice. The actual colour I have chosen is MG Carmine red and MG Old English white the same shade as my MGTD.

Hopefully If I can get the upholstery completed in time we will be at the spring run in the YA this Year. Will you get yours done in time Rob?

Cheers Chris
C A Pick

Chris,

Sadly mine will still be a mixture of grey and red primer....I'm afraid my priorities changed in June due to family ill health and the need to cope with two mothers with dementure.............perhaps 2014?

I might tag along though...in my TR3

Rob
Rob King

You will be welcome Rob I have attended the last 2 spring run weekends in my MGTD and have been made very welcome.
Its at Abingdon the home of MG this year.

Chris
PS if mine is not ready it will be a third year in the TD
C A Pick

There was even some strange old chap who for years kept turning up at the spring runs in an old Ford Anglia, until that is someone whispered to him he was driving the wrong type of car. I think he has at last realised his error.
B Mellem

This thread was discussed between 01/11/2012 and 16/11/2012

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