1948 MG TC long term build

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 4:07 pm

I am starting an old kit I got off of E-Bay and moving back into building my true love....cars
The kit is a 1/16 scale and was super cheap at $30 shipped from Victoria BC area; so I could not resist it!

Unfortunately, the kit was started and I was in for a few surprises when I opened up the box
More soon, gotta go do some work

Post by **JayCub** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 4:13 pm

Look forward to your build, and its a bargain for that price, I haven't seen a 1:16 build before, I appreciate the builds although I have worked on cars most of my life, its great to be able to watch someone else for a change Scott
Tom

Website · Post by **Belmosan** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 4:16 pm

Nice find! Looks like a fun build. I have a 1/16 auto in my stash... don't know when I'll get to it. Thanks for posting this.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 5:04 pm

Hey guys thanks for commenting

I haven't even got going yet and a support group is forming, love this site

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 5:13 pm

Ok lets look at the box contents, I cannot for the life of me find a manufacture date

So seats have been painted, wheels assembled and painted, chassis assembled and the bonnet, oh my gosh the bonnet cowlings
Someone had some trouble with the CA glue on the piano hinges

I am not going to hack the previous owner too much, you never know who they were, age, medical issues whatever. I am sure this person CA glued their fingers together doing this

More to follow

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 5:16 pm

So my plan is to fully strip everything back to original or a close to as I can get it without destroying the kit
I have a small particle sandblaster at work I am going to use to strip the painted wheels and made a start on the bonnet cowlings last night

Will open up the side vents on these cowlings and focus work on them for now. It will be a slow build I am thinking
If anyone has a suggestion for a source for small hinges for the bonnet to replace those nasty ones, that would be great. Found some @ LeeValley tools...a Canadian company too!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 5:18 pm

This is a gorgeous picture of what I am hoping build with this kit. Really a lovely little car; nice P51 as well

Post by **Yevgeny** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 6:32 pm

Oh wow, the hinges

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 6:54 pm

Yevgeny wrote:Oh wow, the hinges

Ya I know, I was a little

when I opened the box up
I picture the poor guy walking around with all his fingertips glued together for a week
I am sure that was the breaking point for him and he chucked it back in the box...we have all been there in modelling

The CA was really weak and came off rather nicely...proof that MORE glue isn't STRONGER glue

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 7:18 pm

Some reference pics from a restored car
None of these images are mine, though I wish they were...really love to be restoring the real thing!

I have two other hobbies I might apply to this car
Am a bit of a wood worker so thinking about a real wood dashboard carved from the plastic original as a pattern and something like that wooden steering wheel in the pic above
Have a leather working hobby as well, so could use a fine grained, thin leather on the seats, interior and roof
Just thinking out loud so I can record it for my poor memory

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sun Nov 23, 2014 10:15 pm

I opened up the vents on the side of the engine cowlings.
Few scratches with the first one on the left, did better with the right one. Learned the back of an Exacto blade works like a little plane and takes of nice shavings. Still some Mr Surfacer and sanding to do.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sun Nov 23, 2014 10:24 pm

So next was stripping the wheels with a sandblaster.

I have a small air abrasion unit at work that I use to blast the internal of crowns to clean them before they are glued into someones mouth.
It uses about 80 psi I think and 50 micron aluminum oxide powder. Pretty quick and leaves an slightly matt surface ready for primer
Half way done

All stripped

I also used a bit of rubber restorer on the tires to shine them up a it more

That's all for now

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sat Nov 29, 2014 8:42 pm

Lovely model and display... very professionally built, well beyond my level

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sat Nov 29, 2014 8:54 pm

My friday night effort on the exhaust system. I think I will modify the car to what I might actually do to one if I had the real thing
So Holley carbs, suped up engine and cooling systems, disk brakes and custom exhaust
The tail pipe mods start this off. I sanded and thinned the end of the silver pipe, Ca glue to the brass, then flared it out with pliers and a pencil end

Added a little hockey tape to hold the bits together for the mock up

Not bad flare there

I have unassembled the framework as some stuff was upside down. Then scraped the paint and polished everything.
Will probably get going on frame assembly then engine...looking for a good photo reference for the Holley or Webber carbs on a MG
I think I will sub assemble things, then bring them together so that I can modify ride height and component fit
Thanks for looking, sorry it ain't a tank

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sun Nov 30, 2014 6:39 am

rubegoldberg wrote:that little bead blaster is super cool!

Ya it is. It worked quite well on such a complicated shape as the wheel spokes, but is a bit messy
Thanks for looking

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Fri Dec 05, 2014 12:39 am

Working on engine block and tranny, it is coming along
Tamiya red, metallic grey and chrome the color scheme here

Some card stock to mimic the exhaust gaskets, hockey tape for the thermal shield on the exhaust

Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Fri Dec 05, 2014 3:03 am

Beautiful car.....would love one of those in my garage!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Fri Dec 05, 2014 2:31 pm

UKguyInUSA wrote:Beautiful car.....would love one of those in my garage!

You and me both!
It would be a blast on a nice spring day with a curvy road and nowhere to go in particular

Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Fri Dec 05, 2014 2:37 pm

Twokidsnosleep wrote:
UKguyInUSA wrote:Beautiful car.....would love one of those in my garage!
You and me both!
It would be a blast on a nice spring day with a curvy road and nowhere to go in particular

Absolutely!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Fri Dec 05, 2014 4:09 pm

rubegoldberg wrote:great work! the heat wrap and gaskets are very cool.

Thank you muchly!
I don't think there are any aftermarket resin or PE stuff for this kind of build, so I am trying to research the real car and use what I can find to replicate it.
Just gonna take my time and see what I can come up with

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sun Dec 07, 2014 9:36 am

Onward we go, more frame work this weekend
Front suspension assembled and strengthened with tan styrene so front wheels don't sag or break the steering assembly

Rear bumper attachments re-worked as I destroyed them on disassemble
Flat brass u bar cut and CA glued

Now bumper tabs fit nice and tight onto frame

Opening front grill with Exacto knife back

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Dec 15, 2014 6:36 pm

Small update, first time up on her wheels
I have the chassis painted and done, thought I would dry fit the engine block, wheels and tires and sort out the mods to the exhaust.
The wheel gap and angles look ok when I trial fit the fenders, but I am sure it will need some fiddling in the end

Added some brass extensions for the front cross bar to fit properly

It is coming along slowly

**Felis Barcinonensis YouTube Channel** · Post by **felisbarcinonensis** » Mon Dec 15, 2014 10:23 pm

It's looking cool mate! waiting for more

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Dec 15, 2014 10:42 pm

felisbarcinonensis wrote:It's looking cool mate! waiting for more

You might need a bigger bag of popcorn!!
Trying to take my time and be patient, research the real car and build it up rightish

Post by **Tarasdad** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 12:48 am

Love this car. My dad raced one in local SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) events in Louisiana when he worked for the dealer back in the 50s. Have pics somewhere in the mass of boxes from his house that are in my garage.

Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 3:53 am

Nice start completing the Chassis....looking forward to seeing the body go on her now

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 4:50 am

Thanks guys! Would love to see one bombing around a track

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 5:15 pm

UKguyInUSA wrote:Nice start completing the Chassis....looking forward to seeing the body go on her now

Test fitted the fenders and body on the chassis last night...it is going to be a struggle, may have to warm up the plastic to get it to fit.
I have some leather for the seats and interior.... black calf skin, red kangaroo or tan cowhide. I have to decide colour and what grain looks ok for scale
Will take some pics and show you all soon

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 4:56 pm

Been trying to customize a bit, making Weber carbs for the engine
This is try #3 with metal tubing and some styrene. Lots of fun getting the fit and the proper finish

Hopefully will get some good modelling time with a holiday starting tomorrow
Cheers

Post by **jbellos1** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 5:09 pm

This is fabulous! Thanks for sharing all of it.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 5:12 pm

No worries, thanks for looking Jon
I will take some photos and show what I used to make the components, still lots to go

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 7:02 pm

I got a muti-pack of small metal tubing etc at my LHS for $5
There is brass, aluminium tubes, rods, flats.... a real assortment
I call it the "box of many tubes"

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 10:12 pm

Wife just told me we won't be travelling to the inlaw's for Christmas

That means more time at home for modelling

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Fri Dec 26, 2014 5:35 pm

A Christmas afternoon of building using a MG restoration book I got as reference
Made a little stand for the frame so it is more stable

Body test fit to see what I am adding to engine bay is visible and fits

Reference pic of dipstick location on block

My dipstick out of brass tubes, stretched styrene and styrene circles

CA glued to block, oil pump line added as well

Need a little MG decal for the top of the dipstick
That is all for now

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sun Dec 28, 2014 7:02 am

Ok leather time was today
Chose some boring tan from the scraps drawer

Skived it (thinned the back) with a razor tool

Used contact cement to glue it in

Added thread as pipping for edges and burnished the seat grooves in with a pointed wood stick

Not bad for a first try with this, always room to improve. Would do contrasting leathers next time, maybe a two tone look

Post by **planemaker** » Sun Dec 28, 2014 2:55 pm

Great work Scott!

Will be watching this build. It's gonna build up to a nice looking car.

Post by **trnkepfc** » Sun Dec 28, 2014 6:56 pm

awesome

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sun Dec 28, 2014 9:35 pm

Thanks everyone; it's a little sloppier than I wanted but presentable
I added the darker brown thread as piping and it looks a bit better...will get pic soon, but engine and chassis are gluing up and I don't want to mess with it

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 5:28 am

Engine cemented in, so I turned her upside down and got the exhaust system glued
The model stand works well

Post by **Lee** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 6:58 am

Great work so far

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 4:38 pm

Thank you gents, off for a ski trip so nothing more for the week

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 6:44 pm

It is -15 to -20 C today, nearly froze my kids
Still, very beautiful skiing

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 5:52 pm

A little update, I am posting in a model car site and forget what I have updated or not
Been quiet in here anyways

Some engine wiring and full dry fit of the body and interior. Door panels had their leather applied
I stupidly opened the front panel, which should be a stamped metal plate, so will have to cover that up again

I am making dual fuel pumps for the Weber carbs. Black plastic is the stock, mine are brass and aluminum

That is where I am now
Cheers for looking

Post by **CJSomerset** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 7:45 pm

I've built a few full size kit cars in my time, but I've never thought about building a model car. But after seeing this thread I'm seriously considering it. Great work! Love the extra detailed carbs.

And I can't help giggling when ever you colonials call a gear box a tranny!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 8:48 pm

CJSomerset wrote:I've built a few full size kit cars in my time, but I've never thought about building a model car. But after seeing this thread I'm seriously considering it. Great work! Love the extra detailed carbs.

And I can't help giggling when ever you colonials call a gear box a tranny!

Thanks CJ
I just want to hear you pronounce "Aluminium" for me a couple times...love to hear the English say that
I hope my miscellaneous ramblings spur you to do a car. If I see one more tank purchase photo on here I am going to HURL!!

Have been a car guy my whole life, so now as an adult, thought I might build models of those I will never acquire
All the best,
Scott

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 9:03 pm

Ooohh, 3D printer, I would like to get into that technology
Been looking into soldering brass as well
ahh so much to learn!!!!!

Post by **CJSomerset** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 10:48 pm

AL - LOO - MIN - EE - UM

Problem is, I've got one of these sat under a tarp in my drive way, and it's been there 14 years

If I started making a model car I'd feel really guilty!

1214027091-Vista Pt. 7.JPG

I think it's safe to assume that you'll get you kit finished before me....

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Thu Jan 08, 2015 12:01 am

I laughed out loud at that one!
You are so fortunate to have that car. If you ever want to ship it over to sunny (wet) BC Canada, I know someone who would take it off your hands...even if the steering wheel is on the wonky side

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Thu Jan 08, 2015 5:15 pm

Looking to strip the chrome and re paint it.
I have not done this before, so will try out a couple tricks on plastic spoons this weekend if possible.
Anyone with some advice??? Do people do this routinely??

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Fri Jan 09, 2015 8:38 pm

How is this for a hint at my newest acquirement

It is a little bigger than the 1/16 MG, this is a Pocher 1/8 Alfa Romeo