1966 MGB -- "Six weeks"

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

As you all know, I bought a 1966 MGB about a year and a half ago. I had originally planned to get it running, spray a coat of paint on it, and do a “rolling restoration”. I knew the floorboards needed to be repaired or replaced, so I opted to replace them. Then the body guy pointed out the main crossmember. Okay, I’ll have that replaced. And the rockers, which carry much of the load on the monocoque, weren’t in great shape. Cutting to the chase, it turned into a total ground-up restoration project. The body guy said it would take him six weeks.

That was April, 2003. I talked to him in June, and he said it would be another six weeks. Same story in July and August. His wife had a serious (life-threatening) medical condition, so I didn’t contact him again until October. (Turns out, this was two days before I was laid off.) “Six weeks,” he said. Okay. Lots of catching up to do after worrying about his wife.

In November he said he would be finished with the body work in about six weeks. I called again in January. “Six weeks.” February? “Six weeks.” I reminded him that he’d had my car for a long time, and that he keeps saying “six weeks”. I told him that weather up here in the PNW is improving, and that I’d really like to have my car in the late Spring.

March came along, and he said he should be finished in six weeks.

In April I reminded him that he’d had my car for a year, and that I’d sure like to have it in time to take advantage of the awesome weather. “Yeah, I know. You want your car, and I need the space in my shop! It’s moving right along. I should be done in a couple… few weeks.”

I just got an e-mail from the guy who’s handling the other parts of the car. He said he’d taken the trunk seal to the shop (which the body guy needed to ensure a proper fit) and was told that the body should be done in about six weeks.

Aiyiyi.

Even when the body is done, there’s still more to do. When it leaves the body shop, it goes to Escondido for the upholstery kit. Then it goes to Anaheim for the engine, transmission, and the rest of the stuff. The gauges may still be in England being rebuilt.

There are a lot of classic cars up here. I’ve seen a number of Fiat convertibles, and a couple of “Big Austins”. I’ve seen a few MGBs on the road (roadsters, like mine, and a GT), and others parked in yards. It’s killing me! Especially since the MGB will get several more mpg than my Cherokee.

I’ve already paid the body guy. I thought that paying the balance would speed him up, and I wanted to take care of it before I left L.A. It didn’t work. I’m very easygoing. I didn’t mind waiting. But the weather is so nice up here that I’m growing impatient. :frowning:

2

You are FAR more patient than I would be in this situation!

Do you have a receipt?

Is this a licensed body shop, or a shadetree mechanic referred by friend of a friend of an acquaintance?

Is there a consumer relations reporter (either newspaper or television) in the town where the car is? Sometimes a phone call from the media can get a fire going under the butt(head). Document your side of the story - timeline, remarks, promises, outcomes, dates of contacts, everything. Don’t know about your business relationship with this guy (have you used them before vs. new customer)but be prepared for any “Well Johnny L.A. (supposedly) said/threatened/lied. I never said <blank>” responses. I see these in the local consumer watchdog columns quite often.

Good luck. And when you finally get the car, may I borrow it for the weekend? I always wanted an MGB. :smiley:

3

Oh don’t forget to have the wiring checked. I remember a run of mid-60s MGs (can’t remember if the MGB was one) that caught fire unexpectedly. One in the parking lot of my apartment. The guy had forgotten something inside, left it running and came back to a fully involved fire. It melted his house keys.
It would be a shame for something like that to happen after all the "6 weeks"s (sic) you’ve been through.
Oh I’m sure rewiring would only take 6 weeks :wink:

4

Oh I forgot, since you live “just up the street,” you won’t mind lending it to me, right? :dubious:

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screech-owl: I had him fax me a receipt so that I could register the car in Washington. (The car was bought so cheaply that the Dept. of Licensing wanted proof of its condition and the amount I’m spending on the restoration.) This is a guy who has a shop, and who has been in business for many years. He is known for his excellent workmanship. I had been patient for a long time because I had other irons in the fire. Now that they have been sorted, I’m ready for my car! It’s not so big a deal that I want to investigate legal action or involve a consumer group. I’m a little frustrated that it’s taking so long, but I’m not angry.

picunurse: I’m having the wiring replaced. After all, it’s completely stripped now; no reason not to put in new wiring. (Incidentally, I’m also converting it to negative earth.)

6

My brother-in-law and my Dad did a ground-up on an MGB, though I think it’s a couple years younger than yours. My Dad’s a machinist, so he worked on many of the engine bits. Most of the body work was done by a guy in the Roosevelt district of North Seattle. If you take your car back and bring it up here, I could give you his addy. As I remember, he’s kind of an easygoing guy but he won’t give you the “six weeks” BS. Or if you want to see how the MGB turned out and find out what else my brother-in-law and Dad did to it, I can probably get them to tell you.

7

Here’s the deal, IMHO of course.

You paid in advance. His wife was sick. He needed cash. Spent yours on her. Needs money now for other stuff. Ain’t gettin’ no more from you. Working on other folks autos so they will pay when he’s done.

He’ll get to your car, I’m thinking, on the 12th.

Just my $.02

8

I told my husband about your mechanic. He is not patient. He said after the second “6 weeks” he would have shown up with a tow truck.
Are you absolutely sure he even still has it? He could have sold it.
Hey, You could arrange a “Dopelink.” Get Doper volunteers to move it a few miles each, until its here. Of course you’d have to pay for the flat bed.
Then at least , you could go visit it in the “hospital” :smiley:

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“Dopelink”. :slight_smile:

The car is still there. I’ve been in contact with the engine guy, and he delivered a trunk seal to the body guy on Wednesday. Anyway, the body guy isn’t a crook; just really slow.

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Johnny L.A. You are a nice guy. No pun, no disclaimer, just an understanding, patient guy, who, nevertheless, wants his toy back.
I predict your patiencewill be rewarded before my birthday, June 24th.
Nice guys deserve to have their toys.:smiley:
Good Luck
My husband asks why you decided to go with Negative Earth? His understanding is that its application is usually in BIG trucks (18 wheels)

11

AFAIK, negative earth (negative ground) is standard. The only car I’ve seen with positive earth was my first '66 MGB. MG went to negative in 1967. There’s an electrical benefit to negative, but I don’t remember what it is. Something about better charging or something. But there are two things I’m concerned about: First, it’s nearly impossible to find a good stereo that will run on positive earth. When I was looking for one for my first MGB, I had to get a crappy one from Radio Shack because no one else carried a positive stereo. The second consideration is that if I should need a boost, having (standard) negative earth is good insurance against someone attaching the cables wrong.

12

I thought maybe he had it upsidedown. Thanks.

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“Six weeks.” “Six weeks.” “Six weeks.” “Six weeks.” “Six weeks.” “Six weeks.” “Six weeks.” Hmm…is the mechanic’s last name Shirk?