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September 29th, 2008

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Q & A: Sheet-metal Fabrication

Monday March 18th, 2002
Q & A, MGA, MGB, MGC, MG T-Type, Midget
John -

I am seeking some advice regarding sheet-metal fabrication to replace some rusted panels on my 1949 YT. I have purchased new sills from NTG in England, but the resemblance between those and the originals is not totally clear to me. At best, they don't quite replace all the material that needs repair. From your Website, under "clubs and other links, for the Y type I found the name of Jerry Keller, 14 Birchwood Road, Denville, NJ 07834. I wrote (snail-mail) to Mr Keller but my letter was returned "07834, NOT DELIVERABLE AS ADDRESSED, UNABLE TO FORWARD".

While I've done a fair amount of welding on the B (having recently reconstructed a badly rusted '65 pull-handle shell) the YT is a whole new kettle of fish. I am committed to doing this work myself, even if it means learning how to fabricate compound curves. So far it appears the problems are in the sill areas and below the spare wheel opening - the wings and running boards appear to be in excellent condition - although I've only removed those on the left side. Time is not a factor and I am only interested in learning to do it correctly.

Two questions:

1.) Do you know of a newer address for Jerry Keller?

2.) Do you have some other advice or suggestions?

I can do this on my own - and if necessary, I can figure out how to do it without advice, but it seems a shame to re-invent the wheel. If somebody out there has the experience and advice, I'd be happy to pay for it. (It's a case of "Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach him how to fish and he eats for a lifetime.") So far I've joined the Y type registry of the MGCC and the NEMGTR and I'm joining the Octagon Car Club. In all cases, I have asked for the same advice. I have also asked for advice on the MG list (mgs@autox.team.net). It seems nobody has had this experience.

You've always been so helpful - many thanks for any advice you can give me.

Allen Bachelder

ALLEN!

Contact Ron Embling in Otego, New York, for some direction; also, contact Hank Rippert (fairwind@bellsouth.net) to find a newer address for Jerry Keller. The problem is not... read more