MG ZT Restoration

Kedaha · 28th February 2023, 12:11

Hi folks, not sure if this is the right forum for this but I couldn't think of any better!

I have a 2005 MG ZT 190SE in Bittersweet that's been off the road since 2013 and is in a sorry state. Unfortunately, there's no-one in Ireland with much experience of ZTs anymore so it looks like a job for finding somewhere in Britain and getting it trailered over.

The interior is in place but pretty much every fascia screw and fitting has been lost. It has a few mechanical issues (front left hub needs replacing, fan belt squealing, timing needs checked) but it's mostly cosmetic - some rust was already starting to appear in 2013 and the bubbling has advanced somewhat.

Can anyone suggest any recommendations? Price is an issue, but I would hate to see this car disappear forever - it was my dream car when I bought it and I still dream of it even now. It needs to be someone comfortable with working on these cars, and preferably someone who works with a good paintshop.

Would love all recommendations, suggestions and advice.

Quote:

Timing checked.

Full check of suspension front to rear (new shocks and springs went on the front in 2016 and have zero miles on them though - similarly brand new clutch and master/slave cylinders).

Air/Con needs checking (was never regassed, but even beforehand there was whooping that rose with revs which i believe is a condenser on the way out)

Rust check in general, I believe the fuel tank (or above it beneath the rear seats) has quite significant structural rust and the usual spots have bubbling.

The interior was partially removed to wire in new speakers, a towbar, amp and to dry out the carpets after a leak. After this was done, every single screw nut and bolt related to it mysteriously disappeared in my uncle's garage - so it's back together but a lot of trim and pieces need to be screwed or bolted in

And associated pieces to do with it being sat for so long (such as replacing brake pads/discs /caliper seals)

Lagetha · 28th February 2023, 12:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kedaha

Hi folks, not sure if this is the right forum for this but I couldn't think of any better!

I have a 2005 MG ZT 190SE in Bittersweet that's been off the road since 2013 and is in a sorry state. Unfortunately, there's no-one in Ireland with much experience of ZTs anymore so it looks like a job for finding somewhere in Britain and getting it trailered over.

The interior is in place but pretty much every fascia screw and fitting has been lost. It has a few mechanical issues (front left hub needs replacing, fan belt squealing, timing needs checked) but it's mostly cosmetic - some rust was already starting to appear in 2013 and the bubbling has advanced somewhat.

Can anyone suggest any recommendations? Price is an issue, but I would hate to see this car disappear forever - it was my dream car when I bought it and I still dream of it even now. It needs to be someone comfortable with working on these cars, and preferably someone who works with a good paintshop.

Would love all recommendations, suggestions and advice.

You could try David Tomlinson at North West Rover Repairs near Manchester (Atherton)...

Arctic · 28th February 2023, 13:24

What about the above he is in Ireland

https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...ber.php?u=7119

stevestrat · 28th February 2023, 13:32

This was in a recent thread posted by someone looking for help in NI:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robson Rover Repair

Bob, I don't work on other people's cars anymore (I'd be helping members and mates for free / exchange for bite to eat but someone reported me to inland revenue for running a scrap yard at my property and the cheek it was all my own cars lol).

Still worth contacting him for advice if nothing else.

Pete · 28th February 2023, 13:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lagetha

You could try David Thomlinson at North West Rover Repairs near Manchester (Atherton)...

That's a good suggestion from Kevin. There is also Rover Revival in Mossley, Manchester.

clf · 28th February 2023, 19:26

I had THIS guy two years ago do my sill, and it was as near as perfect as could be. Colour match was 100%.

It is not the regular stuff he does, but he did have a trophy blue one sitting in his garage that he was refreshing. I saw it when it was finished and it was the sharpest and cleanest ZT I had seen. Like yours it had been sitting for a number of years and needed a heavy refresh. There was some replacement of components and fittings underneath, but paint was minimal, most needing polishing and some lacquer work I believe. He was impressed with the cars, and was happy enough to take it on.

It wasn t cheap I am sure, and whilst I didnt ask, it was agreed, the cost was a few times its value.

I did see the Escort that is on the website when I was there, and did look at the scuttle - to my eyes, I would have said the entire scuttle was replaced and not with a fabricated section let in. It was a work of art, as was the pre war Triumph he had been working on over a year, with home mad running boards/mudguards - very similar to THIS (might even have been this one, as the colour is identical)

RobH67 · 1st March 2023, 07:29

My son has a Bittersweet ZR. As regards paintwork, he has used, and has been very pleased with South West Kustom, who did a front bumper and rear 3/4 paint job on his car. Dan is the guy there and they're literally just up the road from Bristol airport if you need to get back to Ireland.
https://www.southwestkustom.co.uk/

Mechanics wise, I tend to use College Motors in Burford, near Oxford but they don't do paint.

I will use MG Rover Mobile Mechanics again in the future, they have a unit in Derby and are next door to a paint shop.
http://www.mg-rovermobilemechanics.com/

Hope of some help buddy.

28th February 2023, 13:24	#3
Arctic Give to Learn Freelander 2 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: West Midlands Posts: 18,719 Thanks: 1,155 Thanked 6,407 Times in 3,874 Posts	Robson Rover Repair What about the above he is in Ireland https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...ber.php?u=7119 __________________ Arctic Givology Learn to Give Everything is Achievable ad altiora tendo. Check out our Nano meet dates http://www.midlandsnanomeets.co.uk/ http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/index.php?thepage=howto " You do the work , we supply the expertise "

28th February 2023, 19:26	#6
clf This is my second home MG ZT CDTi Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: carrick Posts: 7,859 Thanks: 3,494 Thanked 2,657 Times in 1,973 Posts	I had THIS guy two years ago do my sill, and it was as near as perfect as could be. Colour match was 100%. It is not the regular stuff he does, but he did have a trophy blue one sitting in his garage that he was refreshing. I saw it when it was finished and it was the sharpest and cleanest ZT I had seen. Like yours it had been sitting for a number of years and needed a heavy refresh. There was some replacement of components and fittings underneath, but paint was minimal, most needing polishing and some lacquer work I believe. He was impressed with the cars, and was happy enough to take it on. It wasn t cheap I am sure, and whilst I didnt ask, it was agreed, the cost was a few times its value. I did see the Escort that is on the website when I was there, and did look at the scuttle - to my eyes, I would have said the entire scuttle was replaced and not with a fabricated section let in. It was a work of art, as was the pre war Triumph he had been working on over a year, with home mad running boards/mudguards - very similar to THIS (might even have been this one, as the colour is identical) __________________ It is not gloss primer .............. it is duct tape silver!

1st March 2023, 07:29	#7
RobH67 Newbie MG ZT-T 180 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Gloucester Posts: 25 Thanks: 1 Thanked 11 Times in 7 Posts	My son has a Bittersweet ZR. As regards paintwork, he has used, and has been very pleased with South West Kustom, who did a front bumper and rear 3/4 paint job on his car. Dan is the guy there and they're literally just up the road from Bristol airport if you need to get back to Ireland. https://www.southwestkustom.co.uk/ Mechanics wise, I tend to use College Motors in Burford, near Oxford but they don't do paint. I will use MG Rover Mobile Mechanics again in the future, they have a unit in Derby and are next door to a paint shop. http://www.mg-rovermobilemechanics.com/ Hope of some help buddy.