Donor Car

289, FIA & Daytona topics
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StewbieC
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Donor Car

Post by StewbieC »

Hi Gents,
I'm starting to look for a Donor car. Is there any benefit of getting a tax exempt car?
Also I've got a wire wheel tube axle casing (no diff) with half shafts. Am I right in thinking that the only difference between a Steel and wire wheel MGB tube axle is the length of the axle and the half shafts???
(I know that you need specialist equipment to fit the crown gear and pinion because of the pre load required and was planning on getting that done by a specialist and geting a 3.07:1 ratio fitted.)
Oh and by the way I've got a garage!!! :mrgreen:
Cheers again chaps.
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v8bassman
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Location: Lincoln

Re: Donor Car

Post by v8bassman »

StewbieC wrote:Hi Gents,
I'm starting to look for a Donor car. Is there any benefit of getting a tax exempt car?
Also I've got a wire wheel tube axle casing (no diff) with half shafts. Am I right in thinking that the only difference between a Steel and wire wheel MGB tube axle is the length of the axle and the half shafts???
(I know that you need specialist equipment to fit the crown gear and pinion because of the pre load required and was planning on getting that done by a specialist and geting a 3.07:1 ratio fitted.)
Oh and by the way I've got a garage!!! :mrgreen:
Cheers again chaps.
Hi Stewbie,
Theoretically, when you eventually register your car, you will be allocated an age-related number based on the year of your donor car, and the car classed PLG not historic so you will pay road tax. Having said that, there are instances of the DVLA getting it wrong and granting historic status, but it shouldnt happen so its just the luck of the draw. I've just got mine registered and its PLG :( . So the only real benefit of an older donor car is your registration will look the part.
As for the axle, spot on with your assessment! The bolt-on wheel casing is longer.
Good luck with your build.
Dave
1965 Mustang Fastback
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StewbieC
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Re: Donor Car

Post by StewbieC »

Cheers for the reply Dave!

Thought as much!

Yes I'm about to start on that frustrating (fund depleting) windy road, I'll probably see Gerry at the NEC (unless I get down to see him earlier). The garage (more a workshop) is 27' x16' and gives me the chance to snap up the right donor car when it comes along. I've still got a bit more to do on the 289 lump. Couple of months and that'll be done.
With a bit of luck I'll be where you are now, in about 2 years! :P

I've got a HiPo air cleaner with blue base if your interested £50 inc P&P. (Thats what it cost me from the states.)

Cheers

Stu
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Stu
Hawk 289, 66 Mustang Fastback with a 289 maximum smiles per mile..
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v8bassman
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Re: Donor Car

Post by v8bassman »

StewbieC wrote:I've got a HiPo air cleaner with blue base if your interested £50 inc P&P. (Thats what it cost me from the states.)Stu
I'm sorted on that score, but thanks anyway! You could advertise it in the items for sale section, just e-mail the details to Richard Stubberfield.
Dave
1965 Mustang Fastback
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clive
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Re: Donor Car

Post by clive »

Hi Stu,
I've sent you a PM :wink:
Cheers, Clive.

(If I'm not here I'm in my workshop or on the golf course!)
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StewbieC
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Re: Donor Car

Post by StewbieC »

Cheers for that Clive :wink:

If I did go for MG based (to start with) am I right in thinking that I need;

rear axle complete
nasty rear shocks
rear brakes
steering rack
steering column
front suspension complete (including nasty front shocks)
front brakes
handbrake assembly
windscreen wiper motor and rack.
(please advise if I've left anything out!)

this is without available upgrades which will probably adopted at a later date.
I mean whats the point in building a car and doing it all right first time! :) (Any excuse to spend some time in the workshop listening to radio 4)

Cheers again chaps.
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Stu
Hawk 289, 66 Mustang Fastback with a 289 maximum smiles per mile..
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v8bassman
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Re: Donor Car

Post by v8bassman »

Hi Stu,
Your list looks about right. Just a tip if I may - make sure you take plenty of photos of the components you intend to re-use whilst they are still on the donor vehicle if possible, and as you strip and clean them. Should the origin of the donor parts be called into question, its will help the DVLA inspector to verify where it all came from. I speak from bitter experience here - my DVLA inspection was a nightmare, I had no photos of the components in their 'raw' state and came very close to getting a Q plate as the inspector was not inclined to believe that it all the bits came from where I said they did. In her words 'its up to you to prove their origin, for all I know you could have bought all your components from an MG specialist and got a V5 from somewhere'. As if :roll:
Dave
1965 Mustang Fastback
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StewbieC
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Re: Donor Car

Post by StewbieC »

Cheers Dave,
I'll bear that in mind.
Saw a perfect 67 wire wheel MGBGT for £300.00 but I was about the 50th caller he'd had after he'd sold it. :evil:

Stu
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Stu
Hawk 289, 66 Mustang Fastback with a 289 maximum smiles per mile..
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