Updates on my GT!

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CJ Steak
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Posts: 171
Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 6:01 pm
Vehicles Owned: Present cars of interest:

1958 Studebaker Commander 2D HT
1962 Willys Pickup 4x4
1967 MGB GT

Prior cars of interest:

1927 Ford Model T
1949 Willys CJ2A< Miss this the most!
1953 Ford F100
1954 Ford F500
1962 Triumph Herald
1964 AMC Typhoon 2D HT
1965 Mustang Coupe
1966 Mustang Coupe "Black 'N Mild"
1967 Ford F100
2x 1968 Mustang Fastbacks
1968 Triumph GT6 - Ford 289/4speed
1968 Ford F100
1970 Porsche 911 Targa Carrera
1971 Triumph TR6

And a bunch of others I forgot...
Location: Hutto - Just NE of Austin, TX

Updates on my GT!

Post by CJ Steak »

Alright guys... a few updates on my trusty, yet lovingly crusty, GT.

1st thing I've done recently is lower the suspension with a pair of slightly used Moss competition springs. I love how it sits in the front. Lowering blocks are in the mail for the rear until I can order a set of uprated reverse eye leafs. Check out the difference in height.

Image

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Next was the axle debacle. I scored big time and picked up everything you see here for a mere 75 bucks. The WORST part of the deal was this guy had hired some kid to remove what you see, and the kid DID NOT. The guy was out of town and was pretty irritated that the kid hadn't removed it for me. Thus began the shadiest, craziest, part removal of my life. Get this. The back of the parts car was suspended by a 2 foot tall SCISSOR JACK under the gas tank! Unbelievable. I literally removed what you see here with the scissor jack, a crescent wrench and a basic socket set. I was using rocks for hammers and other parts of the car as chisels and pry bars. I got it out though!! :lol: Luckily no more than my arm was under the car at any point and time and I was constantly looking for any movement in the car. The drive shaft was already disconnected.

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This guy had some pretty cool parts off a '72. If anyone needs the center console (sans radio), let me know. It's got a light switch, hazard light switch, original cigarette lighter and all the wiring in the back of it. I have no use for it. I'm keeping the mirrors, radio, and clock. The vinyl is in good shape, but it's got a ding in it... possibly something layed across it for a while and made an indentation. It might work itself out over time. Not sure.

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I sandblasted the axle and painted it. I'm just waiting on seals and brakes, then it goes in and I'm back to stacking miles on this poor old thing. :lol: :drive

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Now in cosmetic news... check out those swanky knock offs Chris sent my way. Thanks Chris!

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I ditched that fugly racing mirror (that I couldn't even see) that was on the front wing. I welded up the hole and primed the area I worked on. After studying tons of GT pics... I eyeballed where the new mirror should go, bit the bullet and drilled. I hate doing it without measurements... but I think I'm close to the factory location on a later car. If not, it's not like I don't know how to weld holes closed. ;)

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Can't tell you how many dirty looks that BP sticker gets me. I love it! :devil: BP for the win! 8)

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Lastly, while I was waiting on axle parts... I finally succumbed to the restoration bug that has been nipping at me since the day I brought this car home. After a whole year of putting off doing ANY restoration work... I brushed the aluminum wheel with a foam sanding block, polished every piece of chrome on the car... and the snowball has started to form. Next month I'm restoring the dash... then after a road rally I'm participating in around September... it's getting painted back to OEW. GASP!

Image
Chris "From Texas" Salisbury
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Steve Simmons
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1959 Morris Minor 1000
1965 MGB
1967 MGB GT (UK-Spec)
1967 Austin Healey 3000 BJ8
1969 MGC GTS
Location: Co-Nay-Ho Valley
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Re: Updates on my GT!

Post by Steve Simmons »

Maybe it's a bit late to tell you this, but MGBs didn't come with exterior mirrors in 1967. Mirrors were all dealer-installed. So, you can put whatever type of mirror you like on the car, and in any position you like. There is no "correct".

Looking good on the repair and restoration work. Keep it up and you'll have to buy a trailer to haul it around on! :P
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CJ Steak
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Posts: 171
Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 6:01 pm
Vehicles Owned: Present cars of interest:

1958 Studebaker Commander 2D HT
1962 Willys Pickup 4x4
1967 MGB GT

Prior cars of interest:

1927 Ford Model T
1949 Willys CJ2A< Miss this the most!
1953 Ford F100
1954 Ford F500
1962 Triumph Herald
1964 AMC Typhoon 2D HT
1965 Mustang Coupe
1966 Mustang Coupe "Black 'N Mild"
1967 Ford F100
2x 1968 Mustang Fastbacks
1968 Triumph GT6 - Ford 289/4speed
1968 Ford F100
1970 Porsche 911 Targa Carrera
1971 Triumph TR6

And a bunch of others I forgot...
Location: Hutto - Just NE of Austin, TX

Re: Updates on my GT!

Post by CJ Steak »

Steve Simmons wrote:Maybe it's a bit late to tell you this, but MGBs didn't come with exterior mirrors in 1967. Mirrors were all dealer-installed. So, you can put whatever type of mirror you like on the car, and in any position you like. There is no "correct".

Looking good on the repair and restoration work. Keep it up and you'll have to buy a trailer to haul it around on! :P

haha... in my mirror researching I came across what you just said. The small hole in the door is where the dealer had installed the first mirror the car had. To your point, I actually liked the mirror a bit further forward on my door... but the wind wings wouldn't open without hitting it, so I referred to later GTs and tried to duplicate their location. Anything is better than that last one though!

I don't think this car will ever be nicer than a clean daily driver with nice interior. I just drive it too much. If my enjoyment of the hobby morphs into driving classics around in a trailer... shoot me. :)

I live to drive these old cars. I hope to never have a "concours" car. And if I did... it wouldn't be concours for longer than an hour. :drive
Chris "From Texas" Salisbury
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Jimmy
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'52 TD
'71 MGB staqtion wagon
'69 MGB (parts car)
'60 Sprite
'79 MG Midget (parts car)
'63 LBC
Plus, a Turbo S (with a damn roof) in the household.
And three Mercedes on 20" wheels.
Location: NM

Re: Updates on my GT!

Post by Jimmy »

Nice!
The knock-offs really help...now you just need to find some wider rear wheels.
In baseball, running into someone is apparently a "collision".
But doing the same thing in a car somehow makes it an "accident".
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CJ Steak
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Posts: 171
Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 6:01 pm
Vehicles Owned: Present cars of interest:

1958 Studebaker Commander 2D HT
1962 Willys Pickup 4x4
1967 MGB GT

Prior cars of interest:

1927 Ford Model T
1949 Willys CJ2A< Miss this the most!
1953 Ford F100
1954 Ford F500
1962 Triumph Herald
1964 AMC Typhoon 2D HT
1965 Mustang Coupe
1966 Mustang Coupe "Black 'N Mild"
1967 Ford F100
2x 1968 Mustang Fastbacks
1968 Triumph GT6 - Ford 289/4speed
1968 Ford F100
1970 Porsche 911 Targa Carrera
1971 Triumph TR6

And a bunch of others I forgot...
Location: Hutto - Just NE of Austin, TX

Re: Updates on my GT!

Post by CJ Steak »

Jimmy wrote:Nice!
The knock-offs really help...now you just need to find some wider rear wheels.


I like the way you think Jimmy. Always have.

:lol:
Chris "From Texas" Salisbury
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malcolmr18zoy
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1964 MG Midget
1985 BMW 528i
1990 Jaguar XJS V12 convertible
1995 Landrover Discovery
2003 BMW 325i wagon.(wife's car)
Location: Big Bear City, CA

Re: Updates on my GT!

Post by malcolmr18zoy »

I don't Know Chris, I think you and Jimmy may have a lot in common. After all Jimmy comes from the Texas of Europe, Sweden! Jimmy likes wider wheels on the back of a car. Having said that, we all three like to drive our cars furiously, and don't care too much about shine. So maybe we all have more in common than any of us would like to admit On the other hand, Jimmy is a great guy to disagree with because he is such a champion for lost causes.
Malcolm
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CJ Steak
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Posts: 171
Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 6:01 pm
Vehicles Owned: Present cars of interest:

1958 Studebaker Commander 2D HT
1962 Willys Pickup 4x4
1967 MGB GT

Prior cars of interest:

1927 Ford Model T
1949 Willys CJ2A< Miss this the most!
1953 Ford F100
1954 Ford F500
1962 Triumph Herald
1964 AMC Typhoon 2D HT
1965 Mustang Coupe
1966 Mustang Coupe "Black 'N Mild"
1967 Ford F100
2x 1968 Mustang Fastbacks
1968 Triumph GT6 - Ford 289/4speed
1968 Ford F100
1970 Porsche 911 Targa Carrera
1971 Triumph TR6

And a bunch of others I forgot...
Location: Hutto - Just NE of Austin, TX

Re: Updates on my GT!

Post by CJ Steak »

HA!

Two of my best friends are from Sweden... and they're both crazy about Texas. One is from Malmo, the other from Stockholm. Funny.

You guys are entertaining, keep up the good work.

Just you watch... when I put wide wheels on the back of my GT... everyone is going to be in line for some. :lol:

Edit: Forgot to mention something noteworthy... My friend Charlie or "Connie" Ekstrom... drives a Cherokee in Sweden. :eek:

Have we entered the Twilight Zone or something?
Chris "From Texas" Salisbury
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Jimmy
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Vehicles Owned: '74-1/2 MGB
'76 MGB (parts car)
'52 TD
'71 MGB staqtion wagon
'69 MGB (parts car)
'60 Sprite
'79 MG Midget (parts car)
'63 LBC
Plus, a Turbo S (with a damn roof) in the household.
And three Mercedes on 20" wheels.
Location: NM

Re: Updates on my GT!

Post by Jimmy »

Technically I shouldn't even like Cherokees - for two reasons.

While the XJ is great both on pavement and trails, and a decent performer (at least with the later HO 4-liter motors) it's still "powered" by a measly Six-banger, not a proper V8.
Of course, it's still a package that'll easily outrun and outhandle those obese 2-story Discoverys.

But more importantly, my ex-wife's a Cherokee.
Heck, you could keep even a Discovery running for what it cost me in that expensive divorce.
In baseball, running into someone is apparently a "collision".
But doing the same thing in a car somehow makes it an "accident".
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Re: Updates on my GT!

Post by gorms68 »

Looking real good Chris. Your black spokes really show off the knock offs. Glad they worked out for you. They are a lot better on your car than they are in my garage.
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CJ Steak
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Posts: 171
Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 6:01 pm
Vehicles Owned: Present cars of interest:

1958 Studebaker Commander 2D HT
1962 Willys Pickup 4x4
1967 MGB GT

Prior cars of interest:

1927 Ford Model T
1949 Willys CJ2A< Miss this the most!
1953 Ford F100
1954 Ford F500
1962 Triumph Herald
1964 AMC Typhoon 2D HT
1965 Mustang Coupe
1966 Mustang Coupe "Black 'N Mild"
1967 Ford F100
2x 1968 Mustang Fastbacks
1968 Triumph GT6 - Ford 289/4speed
1968 Ford F100
1970 Porsche 911 Targa Carrera
1971 Triumph TR6

And a bunch of others I forgot...
Location: Hutto - Just NE of Austin, TX

Re: Updates on my GT!

Post by CJ Steak »

Thanks Chris!

I'm really thankful for them, and they really dress up my old ride. I love that they're an original chromed brass set instead of chromed steel. I just like original parts I guess... what can I say? They actually cleaned up really well with a little chrome polish and elbow grease too.

I ALMOST sandblasted and sprayed my wheels silver... but after seeing those knockoffs on the black wheels... I think I'll post pone it a little longer. :)
Chris "From Texas" Salisbury
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Re: Updates on my GT!

Post by gorms68 »

How much longer till those knock offs start spinning with your new rear axel??
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CJ Steak
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Posts: 171
Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 6:01 pm
Vehicles Owned: Present cars of interest:

1958 Studebaker Commander 2D HT
1962 Willys Pickup 4x4
1967 MGB GT

Prior cars of interest:

1927 Ford Model T
1949 Willys CJ2A< Miss this the most!
1953 Ford F100
1954 Ford F500
1962 Triumph Herald
1964 AMC Typhoon 2D HT
1965 Mustang Coupe
1966 Mustang Coupe "Black 'N Mild"
1967 Ford F100
2x 1968 Mustang Fastbacks
1968 Triumph GT6 - Ford 289/4speed
1968 Ford F100
1970 Porsche 911 Targa Carrera
1971 Triumph TR6

And a bunch of others I forgot...
Location: Hutto - Just NE of Austin, TX

Re: Updates on my GT!

Post by CJ Steak »

gorms68 wrote:How much longer till those knock offs start spinning with your new rear axel??

Brother, I'm praying for this Saturday. I know my order of 2 hard brake lines and rear lowering kit come in from Moss on Thursday, and hopefully if Gordon from the Bhive sent out the seals and brakes today, I'll get them by Friday.

I'm sandblasting my "new" springs on Friday with another blasting job I have line up for a customer. I'm really hoping to take it out on the town Saturday evening. I'm not going to rush things though. If I have to wait until the following weekend, I will.

I will admit... After driving nothing but the MG or the old Willys everyday, and letting my newer F150 just sit for a year. It IS nice to have ice cold A/C when it's 100 degrees here and a great stereo. I still can't wait to hop in the B and go though. :lol:
Chris "From Texas" Salisbury
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Steve Simmons
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1937 MG SA Saloon
1946 John Deere AN
1949 MG TC
1953 MG TD
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1959 Morris Minor 1000
1965 MGB
1967 MGB GT (UK-Spec)
1967 Austin Healey 3000 BJ8
1969 MGC GTS
Location: Co-Nay-Ho Valley
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Re: Updates on my GT!

Post by Steve Simmons »

Don't get used to that AC!!! It's a fatal mistake. Makes you soft, and you will enjoy your B less. Drive the truck like you drive your B, with the windows down!

If I can drive through the Mojave Desert, Las Vegas and Valley of Fire in a top-down '49 TC then you can survive without AC too!

Ok ok, I'll admit that it was farking HOT. :drive
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Re: Updates on my GT!

Post by Scott Pettit »

A friend of mine is selling a 64 (?) GT that looks like the same color combination and it is in incredible condition. I believe that he is asking about 4K. If anyone is interested, let me know and I can put you in touch.

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CJ Steak
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Posts: 171
Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 6:01 pm
Vehicles Owned: Present cars of interest:

1958 Studebaker Commander 2D HT
1962 Willys Pickup 4x4
1967 MGB GT

Prior cars of interest:

1927 Ford Model T
1949 Willys CJ2A< Miss this the most!
1953 Ford F100
1954 Ford F500
1962 Triumph Herald
1964 AMC Typhoon 2D HT
1965 Mustang Coupe
1966 Mustang Coupe "Black 'N Mild"
1967 Ford F100
2x 1968 Mustang Fastbacks
1968 Triumph GT6 - Ford 289/4speed
1968 Ford F100
1970 Porsche 911 Targa Carrera
1971 Triumph TR6

And a bunch of others I forgot...
Location: Hutto - Just NE of Austin, TX

Re: Updates on my GT!

Post by CJ Steak »

Steve, I think you're forgetting we have "real" heat out here... not the kind of heat you guys get with the ocean only 20 minutes away. ;)

Driving 2 weeks with A/C is nice, but nothing will make me enjoy my B any less. Even with A/C, I'm still wishing I was in my GT as opposed to the truck. So if that tells ya anything. :lol:
Chris "From Texas" Salisbury
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1937 MG SA Saloon
1946 John Deere AN
1949 MG TC
1953 MG TD
1958 MGA Roadster
1959 Morris Minor 1000
1965 MGB
1967 MGB GT (UK-Spec)
1967 Austin Healey 3000 BJ8
1969 MGC GTS
Location: Co-Nay-Ho Valley
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Re: Updates on my GT!

Post by Steve Simmons »

Well, the ocean is 300 miles away and it was 116 degrees outside the last time I dared go out. Even at home though, it gets into the 100-teens sometimes in the Summer! But that trip in the TC I mentioned is probably the hottest I've ever been while in a car.

Scott, they started selling GTs in late '65 so it's probably a 65 or 66. Still a nice desirable early car.
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CJ Steak
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Posts: 171
Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 6:01 pm
Vehicles Owned: Present cars of interest:

1958 Studebaker Commander 2D HT
1962 Willys Pickup 4x4
1967 MGB GT

Prior cars of interest:

1927 Ford Model T
1949 Willys CJ2A< Miss this the most!
1953 Ford F100
1954 Ford F500
1962 Triumph Herald
1964 AMC Typhoon 2D HT
1965 Mustang Coupe
1966 Mustang Coupe "Black 'N Mild"
1967 Ford F100
2x 1968 Mustang Fastbacks
1968 Triumph GT6 - Ford 289/4speed
1968 Ford F100
1970 Porsche 911 Targa Carrera
1971 Triumph TR6

And a bunch of others I forgot...
Location: Hutto - Just NE of Austin, TX

Re: Updates on my GT!

Post by CJ Steak »

Steve... The car that actually toughened me up to bad weather, hot, cold, raining, sleeting, tornadic, etc was my old '71 TR6. That thing didn't have a top and I never bothered to put one on. It was my only car for 3 years. Man do I have some stories to tell you about that poor old car. I put a ton of miles on it too. I remember when I first got it, 2 days before Christmas. We got a nasty ice storm here, and I was the only fool on the road sliding around in this thing with only a t-shirt and jeans on. People thought I was nuts. 18 and invincible. :lol:

The best was strapping inner tubes 5 high on the boot lid and heading down the highway about an hour and half to go float the river in San Marcos. The worst was when we would inevitably get stuck in traffic in South Austin and would fry in the heat. Black vinyl interior is not your friend in direct sunlight. I know you know this!

That's one car that if I could buy it back I would. Amazing memories in that car.
Chris "From Texas" Salisbury
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tannyo
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Re: Updates on my GT!

Post by tannyo »

Chris,

Why did you sell your TR6?
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tannyo
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Re: Updates on my GT!

Post by tannyo »

Chris,

What steps did you take to clean up your steering wheel. I want to clean up mine too.

Tanny
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CJ Steak
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Posts: 171
Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 6:01 pm
Vehicles Owned: Present cars of interest:

1958 Studebaker Commander 2D HT
1962 Willys Pickup 4x4
1967 MGB GT

Prior cars of interest:

1927 Ford Model T
1949 Willys CJ2A< Miss this the most!
1953 Ford F100
1954 Ford F500
1962 Triumph Herald
1964 AMC Typhoon 2D HT
1965 Mustang Coupe
1966 Mustang Coupe "Black 'N Mild"
1967 Ford F100
2x 1968 Mustang Fastbacks
1968 Triumph GT6 - Ford 289/4speed
1968 Ford F100
1970 Porsche 911 Targa Carrera
1971 Triumph TR6

And a bunch of others I forgot...
Location: Hutto - Just NE of Austin, TX

Re: Updates on my GT!

Post by CJ Steak »

tannyo wrote:Chris,

Why did you sell your TR6?

I got myself severely in debt via my Sandblasting business. All is more than "well" now... but I had to sell it to make ends meet unfortunately. Nearly shed a tear too, it was almost unbearable to see that car go on a trailer. It was in much nicer shape than my GT. Gorgeous.

Sure wish I had a pic online to show you guys.
Chris "From Texas" Salisbury
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CJ Steak
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Posts: 171
Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 6:01 pm
Vehicles Owned: Present cars of interest:

1958 Studebaker Commander 2D HT
1962 Willys Pickup 4x4
1967 MGB GT

Prior cars of interest:

1927 Ford Model T
1949 Willys CJ2A< Miss this the most!
1953 Ford F100
1954 Ford F500
1962 Triumph Herald
1964 AMC Typhoon 2D HT
1965 Mustang Coupe
1966 Mustang Coupe "Black 'N Mild"
1967 Ford F100
2x 1968 Mustang Fastbacks
1968 Triumph GT6 - Ford 289/4speed
1968 Ford F100
1970 Porsche 911 Targa Carrera
1971 Triumph TR6

And a bunch of others I forgot...
Location: Hutto - Just NE of Austin, TX

Re: Updates on my GT!

Post by CJ Steak »

tannyo wrote:Chris,

What steps did you take to clean up your steering wheel. I want to clean up mine too.

Tanny
I used a foam sanding block like the one pictured below. I pulled the wheel off the column, set it in my lap and made the "brushed" grain go perpendicular to the length of the spoke. In other words the brushing goes up down on the top spokes, and left/right on the bottom one. Boy it really turned out a lot better than I had originally thought. If this wheel hadn't been restored kind of crappy in it's past, I may have just polished it. Unfortunately someone had already done a varnish job on it, and the spokes were corroding. I had no hurt feelings about taking the sanding block to it, and I'm in love with the way it looks.

Very 50's Italian feel to it.

It took about an hour I guess. 40 minutes of sanding and checking progress on the front... then a quick 20 on the back to just get the grime and corrosion off. The back looks good, but not as good as the front. Who cares, right?

I started with the rough side, then finished with the fine. Your wheel is probably in better shape than mine was and won't need as much time. I got my sanding block from Autozone.

Image
Chris "From Texas" Salisbury
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Re: Updates on my GT!

Post by Martin Keller »

Any more updates on your MGB GT.

:drive
Martin Keller
Ventura, Ca.
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