It’s rare when we learn the complete story of barn finds, but look what Pat L found on craigslist. The original owner was B. De Hoghton in Lancashire England and there’s a picture of the owner’s house online. The current owner bought the MG in 1968 and began restoration in 1970. He completed the engine, drive train, and chassis restoration and then began the bodywork. Now, the MG sits in piles and pieces waiting for someone to complete the work. Although we have the story, there is only one current picture with a tiny glimpse of some of the parts. The other pictures were taken almost 50 years ago.
This appears to be the only picture in the ad that shows the actual state of the MG as it is now. All the other pictures seem to be from 1968 to 1971. It would be interesting to see a current picture of the shop to see what things look like now.
Here is the engine and chassis after restoration. The rest of the car is said to be stored in the garage somewhere. After over 40 years it’s very likely there will be bits missing. If the work that has been done so far was done well, this could be a good start to a restoration. Parts are readily available from sources like Moss Motors so parts won’t be a problem. Even the wood body frame parts are available. The question is, of course, is this worth the time and money when you can purchase a nice MG TC for less than $30,000? Here’s a completely restored that sold recently on eBay for $27,000. It depends on how much you enjoy the work. I think the seller should provide current pictures, not just a picture of a pile of a few parts.
Great car! and great find. I’m just not interested in it because I am a bigger guy and I would have a hard time believing I would fit in it! LOL ;)
These are really quite primitive. Their sports car cred is all about their very light weight and small size.
Something nice lurks next to it also …
Tthe one car I’ve wanted ever since I was a boy. I saw one at a cafe once many years ago, and the owner was kind enough to let me sit in it. Well, try to sit in it- at 6’4″ and 260 it wasn’t happening. I still wish I had one just to say I own one.
Great photo of the Wrecking Crew!
Take a look at that prior owner’s house!!
My father owned a 1949 back in the ‘late ’60s, British racing green in color. I remember him saying that it was the first (or last) year of the “pointed” front fenders. I have a black and white picture of it…..
A classic example of why the bodywork should be done first.
Now the mechanicals have been sitting and will need to be gone through.
Yes, sports cars of yore were often designed for people who were dimensionally minimal. Sold my TR6 to a chap who might charitably be described as large, he jammed himself behind the wheel, ratcheted the seat to the fullest extent, and with the seat back groaning and the wheel jammed against his belly, the poor car sagged away down the lane.
V8
After having restored a +4 Morgan and rescued a number of other cars I can tell you that the parts all exist – for a price. On one of these cars it is entirely possible to have a pile of parts and still need thousands of dollars involved for a number of missing or questionable new pieces. Of course everything that has already been done can’t be trusted so you have to redo all that anyway. With the prices of paint and upholstery being what they are you would take on this restoration for the love of the car and a love of the process. There would be no way to ever come out financially. That is why this is called a hobby.
Car sold, most parts are there in one state or another. I have a lot of work to do, but I like a challenge. Should be back on the road 1-2 years.