MG Maestro Progress

[Jonathan]

I mentioned in another thread that I was looking at having some cosmetic work done on my car. I decided to go with "MAPS" in the end (thanks, Matthew) purely because they really do know the Maestro inside out - and that's something of a rarity these days!

Anyway, I thought some of you might appreciate the occasional update. So far the big, ugly tow bar has been removed and the back bumper revealing a bit of a disaster area rust-wise. All the new panels have arrived and the roof, bumper and bonnet are being prepared for painting.

Have to say I'm really looking forward to the end result!

[Guest]

MAPS????

[Simon]

Blimey, that's not too bad. When they took my back bumper off, there wasn't much left! I had a new whole rear panel in the end...

[Guest]

MAPS????

Mobile Automtive panel Services i believe bud

Excelent Jon, good choice on peeps carrying out the work. As previously said ive had work done by MAPS and know the owner and his brother well - both top blokes

Ben

[Guest]

Hope it turns out well

[Jonathan]

More rust! What was going to be more of a cosmetic job and a couple of new panels has turned into a major weldathon.

New back panel from Xpart ready for fitting


What horrors lurk behind your MG's rear wheelarch spats?


A-pillar hole

[Oli]

I am seriously worried about my Mini now..
Your car looked near mint, mine looks in a proper mess with holes everywhere.
I have got alot to do..

[E_T_V]

That a pillar is an unusual one I have to say. The rest are pretty normal I'm afraid. The back panel isn't painted at the factory as the cars were painted with the bumpers on which is why they are such a common rot point.

[Guest]

Did you say roof? Where did you manage to get a roof panel from, I have tried Rover only to find it NLA, along with many other parts I need....!

Still, don't forget to liberally waxoyl that panel when its fitted, and rember if you don't have it dripping everywhere every time the suns come out, theres not enough on there!:laugh:

[Simon]

Maestro/Montego's hide their rust well. I hope they've taken out the windscreen!

[Jonathan]

The flange around the windscreen was done the last time around, which was when I had it replaced with a bronze top tint.

I'm not replacing the roof, Rich! The original is fine apart from one small blister that has been repaired prior to the respray.

Waxoyl will be liberally applied... and renewed periodically!

[Jonathan]

Another update.

Thought I'd go and take a look at progress for myself yesterday. In all honesty it's been quite an education seeing just how many unlikely areas rust can begin to take hold on even a relatively good Maestro under the surface. A lot of the work involved is in removing, repairing and protecting it properly while everything's apart, and although that's costing me at the moment I'm hoping with the car out of regular use it's not going to need any more surgery for a very long time.

Unprotected damage after the rear wheelarch replacement another bodyshop carried out 5 years ago.


There's something missing here! Much of the back panel is only spot welded so years of moisture collects leaving corrosion in the join. It's going to be a case of removing as much as possible and protecting it thoroughly before the new panel goes on.


We've all seen how badly suspension turrets can rot. This one isn't too bad yet, but the other side is (or at least appears to be) unspoiled.


Towbar has been removed now, but look at the buckling and subsequent corrosion damage to the bottom of the spare wheel well caused by someone nudging me in a traffic queue a few years back


As predicted, the original clutch really was on its last legs. 110,000 miles isn't a bad life though.


This might look bad but there's some pretty good progress being made overall... I'm just on the scrounge for various bits of trim to replace worn items that are going to let it down in the detail.

[Simon]

All very familiar.

[Guest]

I'm just on the scrounge for various bits of trim to replace worn items that are going to let it down in the detail.

Im away for a few days, but if you send me a list I might be able to help out.


Mal.

[G51 NAV]

So whose is the red MG Turbo I spy...?