BLOG: race/rally MG Maestro 1600 - "Pink Panther"

[John C]

Thanks, yes I phoned Templar and he also sent me a free sample kit of each type/tint of plastic -v helpful chap.

I could buy a large sheet of plastic and use the existing plastic windows as templates to cut the new ones with a jigsaw (anything except an angle grinder will work, I'm advised), but they will be a bit rough on edges so will still need finishing by hand.

However, getting the sheet is not cheap. How big would it need to be to do all -there are all manner of sizes of sheet available?. Unlike the factory, I won't have loads of offcuts lying around to make the smaller windows cheaply

http://www.plasticsheets.org.uk/4mm-...ths-2396-p.asp
2m x 2m £129.10 inc VAT


http://www.plasticsheets.org.uk/4mm-...ide-2585-p.asp
2m x 2m £249.92 inc VAT

[John C]

Info on how to put lateral bars into car (to bolt the seat mounts down onto):

https://www.fia.com/regulation/category/123
253 - Safety Equipment
p22 of 38

[John C]

ACW

Full kit (2 front windows no sliders, 2 rear windows, 2 quarterlights & a rear window) = £155.40+ VAT
each slider is +£21 + VAT

Full kit (2 front windows with sliders, 2 rear windows, 2 quarterlights & a rear window) = 256.98 inc VAT & delivery

Full kit (2 front windows IN HARD COAT POLY with sliders, 2 rear windows, 2 quarterlights & a rear window) = 340.90 inc VAT & delivery

Tinted (for all windows except the front to be tinted) as it doesn't show up the scratches as much as clear poly. Grey tint = light metallic blue during day and looks black in eve. Or try Bronze (like a 2 pence coin).

Black edge: primer paint or can get a sign writer to do it.

Can get rear window made to same size as old one -check if each window is fitted into rubber seal, or if it is a larger size (so send it to the firm so they can replicate its size).
2-2.5 weeks to make the windows.

Fitting kit £8.20 + VAT
5m neoprene rubber 4mm depth x 10mm wide (self-adhesive on one side so that you can still remove/change the window if required). Stick this around the edge of the poly panel to stop water ingress.
40 stainless nuts/bolts Nyloc (so you don't overstress/crack the pol when bolting it up)

[John C]

Car back from Angus.

Stuff to go onto the Jobs List
where is all the missing kit from inside the car?
Is there enough fuel in the car?
Front tyres don't hold air for more than 2-4 weeks approx
Flat battery
Needs an Accumate charging lead on the battery (sticking out of the battery box)
Needs the Jump Lead connection points in engine bay labelling clearly (and/or photographing)
Low coolant sensor needed
Is it leaking coolant? (it had lost a lot of coolant during its drive north and there was a trail of water on the tarmac near house!)
Replace existing coolant (probably too weak as it was re-filled with a hosepipe!) with distilled water and anti-freeze
Blow from exhaust manifold?
Bonnet stay needs affixing properly
Where is the switch to turn on the black stalk light above co-driver's seat?
Engine Kill cable needs a screw-lug on the end (after cable goes through hole in red T-handle). If cable isn't long enough it will need to be replaced. T-handle needs a slot cutting in it so that it can be removed from car inbetween outings (for security).
Test drive car

[John C]

This car is currently looking for a new home, urgently.

It is outside under a cover and I'm conscious that it will degrade if left out for too long in the elements. Is anyone interested in taking it on?

It was MOTd before being parked up, and is currently located near Silverstone circuit, NORTHANTS.

It's a Stage Rally '84 MG Maestro 1600 in decent order which is eligible for Category 4 Historic Rallying.

I don't have much time to use it (or work on it). Anyone interested in using it? I can co-drive for you, or vice versa. Or we can each use it for the events we want to do. Or you can take it on for a year or 2 and do some events.

Open to suggestions really.

[Jeff Turbo]

Sorry to hear that John, Best of luck with it

[John C]

On Thursday 19 Nov 2020 a College collected the Maestro.

The latest update is as follows:
"we are looking to move the apprentices onto the Maestro in June to start inspection, servicing and repair of the vehicle. The first session will be to strip, clean/inspect the brakes and if we have time replace brake fluid and bleed the system.

Can you remember when the car was last started ? as we will potentially look at getting it running again too."

It could well be several years since the Maestro last ran. It was last MOTd in Sep 17, and I believe that it drove back to me in Jan 18 so this was probably when it last ran.

[John C]

Update from College:

"The group have inspected all wheel stations on the Maestro and they have stripped down cleaned/copper greased the brake components. I have also got them to examine the brake pipes for corrosion throughout the car and they are currently writing up a report on their findings.

Further to this we have removed the leaking water pump to examine the cause of the leak and we have concluded that the bearing seal has failed internally so will need replacement. The apprentices noted a build up of crystallised coolant and further examined the thermostat and associated hoses.



Unfortunately during the strip down of the N/S rear brake drum it was noted that the hub nut had been cross threaded onto the spindle at some point in the past and , as such would not remove or tighten. I have taken the decision to remove it at the moment until we can potentially get hold of a new hub spindle and nut. (I will tack weld on a nut temporarily to allow the vehicle to be rolled when it needs moving)



would you be happy to look into a water pump and hub spindle ? I believe they are in the region of £15 and £70 respectively.



Once we can get these repairs done we can look at getting it running and moving again."

[John C]

Update from college [car recently moved to Shrewsbury]:

"We have had a look over the vehicle this week and have fitted the new water pump and stub axle.



We also identified a severe leak from the thermostat housing gasket which appears to have clocked off a long time ago ! The apprentices constructed a new gasket from scratch and so far, this is holding (no system pressure yet).



The Engine has been turned over and although slightly sluggish, is turning freely (to investigate further)



We currently have a no start situation with the vehicle and upon initial inspection, it is noted that there is no fuel getting to the engine. Although the fuel pump is activating it is not drawing anything from the tank at all. We plan to hook up a temporary replacement universal fuel pump today to hopefully eliminate this issue.



I will continue to report back as we progress through the project."

[John C]

Update from the college:

"I have just ordered the following for the Maestro with a view to at least getting it running:

Ignition coil

Fuel pump

Fuel hoses

Distributor cap

Rotor arm

Spark plugs

Oil and filter

As you know we had a fuel and spark issue so next week we can hopefully pin down the problem.
as it’s been sat for so long and as these parts are relatively cheap I figured we might as well go ‘belt and braces’.


I also got you a new battery as the old one had been neglected during its storage with CMC and was toast basically!

We are hopefully going to get it running initially, then look at the bodywork as there are some areas of corrosion which could do with being looked at. The apprentices have had a look over the rear brakes and it will require a new spring kit for the shoes which we will also sort when we get to that stage."

[Mr bump]

Hi John, do you still have the vast amount of parts that came with the car?

[John C]

Yes, they are in storage in North England.

[John C]

Since my last post, this car has been undergoing work at a Shropshire technical college.

Unfortunately, their classic car course has stopped running so this car is now in Telford and is awaiting a new home.

If anyone is interested in taking it on then please do shout up.

[John C]

This is the update from the former tutor at the college (he has now left so I'm not in direct contact with him any more)

1. I think all the welding is done and it runs.
2. Carbs need setting up.
3. New sump -old one's leaking
4. New tyres required.
5. Clutch and brake replacement (as it’s been standing for so long) JC: I would be surprised if this was needed in practice)
6. New plexiglass all round
7. A general tidy up