Getting Keyed Up ( 73 GT)

Rather than go to the expense of a mobile locksmith I decided to remove the lock cylinders and take them in to obtain keys. I need a complete set, so the first step was removal of the glove box that was already hanging open. The ignition was next and the steering column cover came off easily. Removal of the ignition lock cylinder presented a problem because there was not clear way to remove the mechanism. After posting a quick question on the MG Experience forum I was cutting a slit for a screw driver into the bolts that hold the mechanism to the column. The bolts were then easily removed.The passenger door panel was removed with the goal of extracting the entry lock cylinder, but a retaining tab on the cylinder proved insurmountable due to poor access. The rear hatch lock would be much easier. While the door panel was off I coated the inside of the bottom of the door with Penetrol to inhibit further rust. The door internals on the '73 are in better condition than the '80 roadster!

Moving on the rear hatch I first removed the catch at the bottom of the body so the hatch will not lock when closed, then removed the retaining ring on the lock and the cylinder popped right out. This is a view of the inside of the lock showing the retaining ring that was backed off using a hammer and a small punch (the cover was previously removed).

Now I have everything I need to take to the locksmith.
'80 Roadster
I prepped the inside section of the inner sill on the '80 for rust paint by washing it with Marine Clean, then etching with Metal Ready. Two coats of POR-15 and it looks like new. Next up: fitting the inner membrane and plug welding it into place after applying some cavity wax and weld-through primer. More on that next week.

Liberation of a 1973 MGB GT

I took off the first full week in February with the intentions of, among other things, making some progress on the 80's sill work. Then I got distracted....

A couple of months ago, after making a wrong turn when going to meet some friends, I spied a 1973 GT sitting in a local impound lot.Its not every day that you see one of these cars in a situation like this. It looked rather desperate behind the chain link so I dropped by to talk with the owner of the yard. The car was impounded and he asked me to check back "in a month or so" to see if he could sell it.

I waited almost two months and went back this past week. The car was abandoned at this point with no title and no keys. I searched the car and found the original title! With the help of a vehicle transcript from my local DMV and the internet, I contacted the party listed on the title and they gladly signed it over to me. After titling, towing, and impound fees, the car is home.
Now what to do? First off will be stabilizing the car so it does not deteriorate further. A front wing replacement is needed and the paint is in dismal condition. There is some bubbling in one dog leg and the condition of the sills is somewhat unknown. With any luck the motor is in good condition so I can have it up and running by summer while I finish up the body work on the LE.