Lewis Vanbibber's Journal

Alfy Is Alive

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 21:10:10 -0500

Lewis Vanbibber's Journal --

Hi guys Thank all of you for the kind comments . It most certainly has given me a little boost to know the members are really interested in knowing an MG is being resurrected , as it were, from a burning hell . My old fart friends think I am a little bonkers to try to save Alfy . I admit , it has been a little tough ,at times,to get up and go to my shop , but being a hard headed Dutchman , I have had a goal to complete . Son Bill, the Porche nut, has been in full support as he says it will keep me alive . Unexpected support has come from two of my daughters who can't wait to go riding in Alfy. Cheers friends. Safty Fast

Posted 2021-10-15 21:10:10 by Lewis Vanbibber

Alfy Is Alive

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 21:22:56 -0500

Lewis Vanbibber's Journal --

Glad to report Alfy moved under its own power today . After a little adjusting, my son ,Billy ,and I took a little ride around the neighborhood. Alfy ran very well with 60 PSI oil pressure and did not overheat. Still work todo, but very happy that the old boy is alive and well. Cheers. Lew VB

Posted 2021-10-13 21:22:56 by Lewis Vanbibber

Alfy Looking Better

Sat, 24 Jul 2021 04:28:11 -0500

Lewis Vanbibber's Journal --

Hi all Still working on Alfy and making progress. I have found the upholstery to be difficult, time consuming and frustrating, but so far I have survived.From the Frame Up videos are a great help. Alfy now has some clothes on his body. Perfect--- No ,but presentable. My aim has not to make a concours event car , but to save the old boy from being broken up for parts and lost forever , and be a nice driver. Perfect has never been my aim on these old Brit Cars that I have restored , as I drove,owned and race these guys when new and remember them as not being of the best quality and a bit rough as new. But still loved them . Hope to have not bent anyones nose , but remember these were inexpensive cars. cheers lew

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Posted 2021-07-24 04:28:11 by Lewis Vanbibber

Poor Alfy

Sat, 17 Apr 2021 21:35:12 -0500

Lewis Vanbibber's Journal --

Hi All hope you all have had your shots. Alfy continues to get daily attention for 2 or 3 hours and progress is showing . All fenders are off stripped of paint and primed as well as the tub. Gas tank cleaned straitened and primed. Dealing with some tember issues and the doors fitting which seems to be a real grimlin we are all faced with. It has been a real challenge but worthy of the effort, in my estimation. My son , the Porsche fanatic, might differ with the old man . cheers lew

Posted 2021-04-17 21:35:12 by Lewis Vanbibber

Alfy

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 18:45:25 -0600

Lewis Vanbibber's Journal --

An update to let you know Alfy is getting attention and is doing fine. A few hang ups ,but not bad. Finding parts is not as tough as I thought., but you do have to work at it. Our Canadian friend Hugh has been a big help as others in the group offering help , advice etc. Thanks guys. The scuttle was the most difficult of the work on the tub. The fire did a lot of miss shaping of the sheet metal, but eventually it yielded to my enthusiasm and very big hammers. The doors were not bad,but everything required a lot of hand labor pounding, beating ,shrinking , swearing , band aids etc to get the job done. The wood work is not difficult , but can be frustrating at times. Got my virus shot with no side affects , except my arm was a little sore for awhile. cheers

Posted 2021-02-10 18:45:25 by Lewis Vanbibber

Poor Alfy

Sun, 31 Jan 2021 15:09:39 -0600

Lewis Vanbibber's Journal --

Still working away on Alfy ,usually 2 to 3 hours each day. I have been able to find most of the parts I need at this moment . Will need more later as I progress. Was able to get some needed parts from fellow member Hugh , our Canadian friend . Other parts from Frame Up and Moss and eBay. I am making some of the wooden parts , just because I like to do something that is specifically from me. I am sure I may have messed up on some of the sites here , if so , yell at me . I don't mind being corrected , ask my wife of 60 years. Also ,spent 20 years active duty and 5 years National Guard. Spent a lot of time correcting the scuttle as it was a bit out of shape, to put it mildly . The structure is not as bad as I expected ,but still a challenge. I may never get this old guy finished , but son , Billy is a car nut and does not sell anything that has wheels. I think he has 29 cars including his high school car, an English Ford Panel . His first was a bug eye Sprite I gave him for his 16th which he drove from Long Beach, Ca. to New Hampshire , where we lived at that time. cheers friends Have a Nice Day Car Show in Grass Valley. My 250 GT

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Posted 2021-01-31 15:09:39 by Lewis Vanbibber

POOR ALFY

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 14:09:29 -0600

Lewis Vanbibber's Journal --

Well I feel better after my nap, so thought I would post some Pics of before and now. First time trying this so----- Not great with computers , but get get help from son Bill. Hey , !!! I had a tough time dealing with ball point pens when they showed up. Enjoy. cheers lew Made the floor boards as I had a nice ( ok , timber) left over from making one for a n MG-A I was restoring.

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Posted 2021-01-25 14:09:29 by Lewis Vanbibber

POOR ALFY

Sun, 24 Jan 2021 15:30:33 -0600

Lewis Vanbibber's Journal --

Son Bill and I bought ALFY (TC3995 XPAG 4621) on the 24 th of Dec 2020 and it arrived at my house on the 31 of Dec 2020. Bought from COPART.com salvage auction . He was badly burned with much damage done. After getting many new ignition parts we started ALFY 's engine on the !/17/2021. He ran well with good oil pressure and was very quiet with a little tappet noise. " ALFY LIVES" I first cleaned and removed the interior and ordered some parts. The biggest sheet metal problem is with the scuttle as it is warped and out of shape. I had removed the windshield and up rights,but remounted them as the bolts holding the uprights go through some of the side wood , adding strength and helping to hold correct measurements and shape. I have mounted a temporary wooden instrument panel to hold shape and add strength ,allowing me to do the necessary metal work to bring the scuttle back to correct height and shape. Have also started doing some work on the wood. I am 87 years old and had thought I was through with this crazy old car stuff , but am enjoying working again. ( 3 to 4 hours every day ) Think I need a nap. cheers for now lew

Posted 2021-01-24 15:30:33 by Lewis Vanbibber