| What's
involved in a major rebuild of an MGBV8? This car was featured in an "V8s at risk" article following the discovery of several tired MGBGTV8s by Clive Wagerfield who was concerned they would be broken for spares. Barrie Jones saw the car was advertised for sale on eBay in April 2008 and bought it as a restoration project. During the work he sent a series of photo reports of the progress which provided an interesting photo record for fellow members. Barrie says "when we started this series of reports, I had no idea they would become a |
series of more than 30 episodes. I feel that I should put the record
straight regarding who is doing what and where. I can handle anything
electrical, mechanical or trimwork, but I do not do bodywork or paintwork.
This has been entrusted to a local body shop - Fred Rendle of Launceston.
They work mainly on damaged modern vehicles. However, they like to
have one or two classic cars on the go as well, and these are worked
on as and when there are gaps in their workload. They are currently
working on my V8 and on an alloy-bodied AC Aceca coupe, and they have
recently finished an Alvis |
 Grey Lady. The cutting and welding of my V8 has been done by Peter, their main bodywork and paintwork specialist. The mobile roll-over spit was the idea of one of their engineers named Billy. He designed and built it so that it is adjustable to take much larger vehicles than an MGB." |
 Barrie Jones with Damask 0548 which was an earlier restoration he sold to Michael Rumelin in Germany. |
 Damask 0450 seen for sale on eBay (30.4.08) More |
 Rebuild report 1 Photo record as a PDF file. (23 & 25.7.08) More |
 Rebuild report 2 Photo record as a PDF file. (26.7.08) More |
 Rebuild report 3 Photo record of work in progress. (31.7.08) More |
 Rebuild report 4 Photo record of work in progress. (14.8.08) More |
 Rebuild report 5 Photo record of work in progress. (17.8.08) More |
 Rebuild report 6 Photo record of work in progress following a holiday break. (12.9.08) More |
 Rebuild report 7 Driver's inner step sill was holed in two places, so it needed replacing. (15.9.08) More |
 Rebuild report 8 Barrie turns his attention to the nearside. (22.9.08) More |
 Rebuild report 9 Barrie finds a dangerous bodge on the carburettors. (26.9.08) More |
 Rebuild report 10 Barrie has been working on the nearside out-rigger and spring hanger plus the carburettor needles! (2.10.08) More |
 Rebuild report 11 Not much to report this week, apart from . . . finding the wing was badly rusted around the tail lamp. (20.10.08) More |
 Rebuild report 12 I recently separated the overdrive from the gearbox in order to delete overdrive on 3rd gear. (31.10.08) More |
 Rebuild report 13 After a break and some other car servicing, progress has now resumed on Damask 450. Here another rebuild updates. (12.12.08) More |
 Rebuild report 14 'Tis Christmas, and something was shining inside the nearside A post. But what was it? (19.12.08) More |
 Rebuild report 15 Into the New Year and Barrie has stripped the rockers and gearbox. (4.1.09) More |
 Rebuild report 16 This week the work continues - the nearside rear chassis rail is being replaced. (16.1.09) More |
 Rebuild report 17 The strip-down of Damask 450 is now almost complete. Quality and fit of the replacement panels has been found to be fairly poor. (12.2.09) More |
 Panel quality concerns Panel quality concerns - we contacted the BMH Body Plant to clarify the quality concerns raised below. (20.2.09) More |
 Two pack epoxy primer In his Rebuild report 17, Barrie Jones mentioned using two pack epoxy primer on a rear spring hanger. Here he provides a brief note on Lechler's product. (20.2.09) More |
 Rebuild report 18 This is the turning point. There is no more rusty metal to remove - so the rebuid begins! (19.2.09) More |
 Rebuild report 19 After a 7 month break, work has resumed two weeks ago and Barrie has sent in a report. (9.11.09) More |
 Rebuild report 20 Barrie strengthens the rack mountings on the front crossmember and inserts the boot floor. (2.12.09) More |
 Rebuild report 21 With all the rusty parts cut out, the bare body shell has been mounted on a spit Barrie has built from an old trailer, so now the V8 is ready to go off for sandblasting. (6.2.10) More |
 Rebuild report 22 Damask 450 is back from the sand blasters and is now coated in 2-pack orange primer for protection of the bare metal. A new heater box base is being fitted. (1.4.10) More |
 Rebuild report 23 The end is in sight but when preparing for priming and painting, one last area of rust became apparent. More |
 Rebuild report 24 Damask 450 is back on four wheels and soon the shell will be ready for painting. More |
 Rebuild report 25 Barrie Jones notes "standard V8 seats can be a bit uncomfortable on a long journey, so many owners use an extra cushion in the small of the back. I modify the seat frames to provide better lumbar support. More |
 Rebuild report 26 Damask 0450 is now being painted with the first coats of gloss applied to the interior and engine bay. More |
 Rebuild report 27 Barrie Jones says "at long last I have the painted shell of Damask 450 back home in my garage." More and Spax |
 Rebuild report 28 Barrie Jones has been servicing the rear brakes and highlights some problems. More |
 Rebuild report 29 Damask 450 is now fully painted with the wiring, brake lines, fuel line, dashboard, suspension and brakes. More |
 Rebuild report 30 A Canadian V8 member, David Looy, wanted to know more of the "spit" Barrie used for the rebuild. More |
 Rebuild report 31 At the MOT test at last but then a brake failure! Poor quality replacement parts. See Barrie's final report. More & Sequel |
 Rebuild report 32 Barrie found the gearbox crossmember is handed - a useful tip. More |
