Restoration costs-how do you decide?

Post by **ssnjimb** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 10:53 pm

I think it looks nice for the money.

What is the engine like and how well does it drive.

If the underneath is fine then thats alright.

The doors are not expensive look on ebay and try to collect if poss as postage is high. Check the rest of the wood and try to replace as much as possible if you cannot afford a full wood set.

James

Post by **miggy** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 10:54 pm

I dont want to make money-siurely no one in their right mind would restore a moggy to make money

I CANT do it myself, have lots of other skills (hopefully!) but no mechanical ones, I just love moggies and want one that I can drive without worrying that the back door is going to fall off and kids/dogs fall out into the road

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 10:56 pm

Sorry to be blunt miggy - but was the rear post with the hinge hanging off not obvious - or had they bodged it up so you couldn't see it ? The nearside wood looks as though it has been 'patched in' in the past too - and now in a bit of a state. The rusty metal parts were presumably obvious - they are at least easily sorted out - but it's the underside that will be the main worry - so no point spending money on new wood etc unless the platform below is in good order. Check that out - very thoroughly - first.

Post by **stiguk** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 10:56 pm

trade skills and it might cost less
mate

Post by **miggy** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:03 pm

Actually no strangely the door hinge thing wasnt obvious-it should have been I see your point but truely it wasnt, just suddenly seemed to all fall apart yesterday

Came with the receipts for 2 new rear doors fitted by a specialist garage (£700) 2 yrs ago, seems strange that they fixed these onto dodgy wood but ?
I wasnt too worried about the body work as externally for its age it is fairly minor
Take your point that the underneath is the important thing but I will have to wait and take advice on that
Fingers crossed as am attached to mildred already

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:05 pm

Lots of folks on here have restored their cars to fantastic standard - without any specials skills to start with. They soon pick them up as the resto proceeds!

Post by **d_harris** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:18 pm

Thats exactly what I was gonna say BMC

When I bought Monty 4 years ago (for £70) I'd never really done anything mechanical. I have now returned it to the road for the first time in over 20 years. I'm still learning mind, but getting there....

OK, so it still looks scabby as heck but still.........

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:34 pm

Two rear doors - £700 ! WOW!! And if only two years ago - I doubt the pillar was in much better shape then - but some 'specialist garages' are better than others!

Post by **ASL642** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:55 pm

Gosh - you could have bought a whole car for that

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 12:22 am

Bull Motif sell new Traveller rear door frames for £110 each http://www.morrisminorspares.net/shop_item.php?ID=3685 - easy enough to transfer the glass/lock/aluminum lower panel from an old door. So - £700 for two does seem just a tad expensive!

Post by **Kevin** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 1:49 am

If you decide to go ahead just remember that anything you do will probably take twice as long as you think and once you start keeping the enthusiasm going can be hard at times, try and meet up with some other local enthusiasts who should be able to offer advice and encouragement

Post by **aupickup** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 2:23 pm

i am close, and if needed i will give all the help i can

Post by **miggy** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 3:25 pm

Aupickup thats so nice-thank you

Will let you know what mr woody says next week.

I thought the £700 for 2 doors was expensive too and to be honest thats what was making think It was going to cost a fortune to put things right. I have the reciept from the garage though!

Post by **Vikki** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 8:32 am

but that £700 would of included labour and like you say everything takes two time as long as you think. it could also include spraying etc.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 11:16 am

Little to spray on rear doors - a rattle can does it in seconds!

Post by **emmerson** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 11:45 am

Miggy, like many others, I've been there, and I'm doing that!
I'd say that the wood on your car is totally shot, and will all need replacing. Also be aware that when you get the wood off, there will probably be nothing left of the metal underneath. This is what I found on mine, which actrually looked better than yours before I started digging.
HOWEVER, I bit the bullet and had the welding done, and am slowly starting to put the car back together using complete new wooden sides. The cost is going to be horrendous, which is why it's being done in stages, and I will never ever recoup the cost.
BUT, when its finished, I hope the sense of achievement will wipe out all the woes and worries that I'm going through at the moment!
I'm now at the point of no return, so come summer (or spring, depending on the weather,cos I'm doing it outside) I shall have the pleasure of driving the car that I built.
Go for it, man!

Post by **miggy** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 2:56 pm

Emmerson-good luck with yours, Im sure it will be a fantastic sense of acheivment

"go for it man" actually Im not, am of the female variety which is part of my problem with the mechanical/engineering side

Post by **emmerson** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 9:05 pm

OOPs!

Sorry Miggy, it must be the overalls you're wearing!
Seriously though, being a girl does not mean that you can't learn to do the job. I also have a Commer camper, and subscribe to the commervanfan forum, and we have two girls on there who are either rebuilding their own van, or helping hubby/partner to do it.
To have all the work done outside would be prohibitvely expensive, I'm afraid.

Post by **stiguk** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 6:42 pm

forget the cost just enjoy doing it up
and have fun
lol

Post by **miggy** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 8:35 pm

would love to stiguk but having just been quoted £6k for new wood and respray-dont think I can get that past my husband!