I have made up two 1/2” thick Dural plates, which I marked out to the base of the sub-frame, then the holes were drilled and threaded. It was obvious that the re-fitting would be very difficult without anchor nuts or threaded plates. Some time later the bolts were out and after detaching the pedals from the sub frame we lifted the unit out of the car. I was able to hold the six fixing nuts with a long pair of Stilsons while my neighbour (pre- lockdown) did the spanner work up top. So off came the steering wheel and out came the seats and the rear “plus two” cushions, so I could adopt the posture of the average Airfix pilot, and wriggle in on my back. Access was to be an Alice in Wonderland, Down the rabbit hole experience. There are no doors to make life easier to get at the sub frame nuts down in the footwell. The cylinders can’t be removed from the sub-frame without some pretty ingenious spanners. The hydraulics sub-frame carrying the master cylinders is bolted onto the top of the foot well box. I purchased new replacement master clutch and brake cylinders, but installing them was another pantomime. It is exercising the “little Grey cells” mes amis.
TIME BANDIT VODKA FULL
The car is full of “how the hell do you get to that” moments, but I am learning to know my way around it and I am improving access and easier maintenance by making threaded fixed anchor plates for the future, as well as replacing rusted hardware with stainless steel were sensible. Everything was built into the body work when it was separate to the chassis, leaving some areas which can only be accessed by a someone with the stature of a small child, but one with extended arms. Whoever built the car did not envisage anyone ever maintaining it and was oblivious to the fact that nearly 50 years later some idiot fast approaching 80, would be required to be upside down in the very narrow foot well. The car looked great but I quickly found out the mechanical bits such as the hydraulics and rear axle were in need of serious restoration. She has been given the name 'Tilly' Shilling. TF which is a 50 years old MG with a Nick Green special body and chassis. To this end a little while ago I managed to find an NG. Over the years I've owned a varied assortment of sports or convertible cars as well as more practical cars, I have a beautiful Saab 2 Litre turbo convertible but I still hankered after something more traditional.
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