Mark II in need of restoration

J

jlrMK2

Bronze forum user
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I'm new to this forum, but I've been reading the threads for awhile. It seems you good people are a wealth of information for all over. I'm in need of a knowledgable car restorer to re-do my Mark II. Although the car won many car shows when it was 1st restored in '79, it's in need of restoration now. I'm now at the age and financial place where I can't afford a $80,000 restoration, but I want someone who knows Sunbeams to do the work, since the car is totally original. I just want it to have a great paint job in it's original BRG, run good again and enjoy driving it again for a few years. I'm in southeastern PA, and I'm hoping you can suggest someone here in PA, or Jersey, Delaware or even Maryland.

When I have the time I'll write out the story of the car, and post some pictures of the then and now. Thanks for any suggestions.
 
"restoration" can mean many things.... is the car rusty? If the car is not rusty then that will save a huge amount of money.. if its minor rust.. also not to bad. If you are prepared to do some disassemble and re-assemble.. will also save you some serious $.

Scott Woerth was in PA.. but think he is out of Sunbeams.. I know there is a guy near Westchester PA who rebuilt the body on my Tiger and has done 2 others who seems reasonable and might be worth contacting.
 
Maybe don't touch it..?

Just another option... FYI, kind of the latest 'trend' is in leaving cars as original as is possible for 'value.' Its something I'm really struggling with in my restore...

How much to swap for new, how much to leave alone...albeit in poor condition. Once I determined the entire drivetrain was to come out... that cemented paintwork. But now wondering about how far to freshen interior...

Anyway, I'll let the pro's here speak for themselves, but I know of at least a couple on here within your geographical range. And they have been extremely open in providing help to an amateur like me.

And, this may be sacrilege, but if it's just 'getting it running well' and new paint, these are separate and not necessarily Sunbeam specific. Local Mustang hotshot for the motor tune and paint to your budget (huge ranges on that...).

Also, if a show winner in '79, a number of us would probably say 'spend the money' on the upper end of the repaint. OR...

I'm on the other end... get it running great FIRST... then (re)consider next aesthetic steps.

Derek

DD (CA)
 
Scott did the original restoration on this car and yes, he's totally out of Tigers now. The car was quite rusted but the body work is all done. The car currently consists of the body on wheels with the engine (which hasn't been run in 17 years) and many boxes of parts and bigger parts stacked on pallets, like seats, gas tank, bumpers, etc. When I say the body work is done, it's been brought back to primer. Needs a bit more refining before paint. I had the car TAC'ed in September at a TE/AE picnic and took it to a known restoration place in Maryland where I was quoted an insanely high number for the completion of the car. but that guy does basically concourse restorations, nothing less. I don't want that. I want to be able to drive it and not worry if it rains on the car. Hence my need for some names of other good people to have check out my car and give me an estimate.

Do you have a name for the person in West Chester? That actually is very close to me
 
There is someone in PA. that works on Tigers

I know (heard) of "Tiger Tom" Ehrhart in/around Annville, PA. He has raced, repaired and restored Tigers over the years. Not sure if he is still doing it. He is a very well known and active member of the Tiger community(TEAE.org) back East. He also hosted the TEAE 2013 BASH this year. He may be able to assist you with your Tiger or maybe point you in the right direction.
Also in Dayton, Ohio Doug Jennings has a shop, Tiger Auto Service and is a very experienced Tiger repairer/restorer.
Good Luck with your project.
MarkP
 
Tiger Tom, Doug Jennings, & many members of Tigers East are here in St. Michaels MD this weekend for a United. I'm from Florida but drove down from Harrisburg PA yesterday. Just jump in your modern car & come down!
I've had my MK2 for 40 years.....
 
If you're in West Chester I'm nearby in Hockessin and in a similar situation. I have a freshly painted completely disassembled mk1 in the garage that needs reassembly. If you'd like to get together and compare cars sometime let me know.

Tom
 
Welcome

jlrMK2 said:
Scott did the original restoration on this car and yes, he's totally out of Tigers now. The car was quite rusted but the body work is all done. The car currently consists of the body on wheels with the engine (which hasn't been run in 17 years) and many boxes of parts and bigger parts stacked on pallets, like seats, gas tank, bumpers, etc. When I say the body work is done, it's been brought back to primer. Needs a bit more refining before paint. I had the car TAC'ed in September at a TE/AE picnic and took it to a known restoration place in Maryland where I was quoted an insanely high number for the completion of the car. but that guy does basically concourse restorations, nothing less. I don't want that. I want to be able to drive it and not worry if it rains on the car. Hence my need for some names of other good people to have check out my car and give me an estimate.

Do you have a name for the person in West Chester? That actually is very close to me
Click to expand...

Glad to hear another is being well taken care of, randy
 
Tom Ehrhart is a long time friend. When I picked up the reins on the restoration of the car, the body work had been completed to where it is now, and I was looking for an experienced Tiger restoration guy to do the rest so I called Tom. He gave me the name of Auto Motive Precision in Williamsport MD. They've done a fantastic job on the cars I saw in their shop. But the $100,000 estimate was a tad high for me. At that price the restoration would be higher than the value of the car. When I had the car at Calvert's TE/AE crab feast to be TAC'ed, I didn't get any other suggestions. The car is original and all the parts are with it. It doesn't need any Tiger specific parts, but I'm sure there are some things that I'm unaware of that time has taken a toll of that should be replaced. Will need things when the engine gets a going over, hasn't run in 17 years. And the convertible top needs replaced and the headliner in the hardtop. (And maybe the carpets.) So I'm hoping Hilland's may fit the bill. I'm calling them on Monday.

I knew the TE/AE United was this weekend but previous commitments made it impossible to go. That's why I posted here. Frustrated I couldn't go, I thought I could get something positive going by posting on here. And I'm utterly amazed that I've gotten a name and number for a local from someone in Melbourne, Australia. How cool is that?
 
Here is positive

When the shop notes are completed get a copy. I borrowed a older edition from our Treasurer Rick. If is good reading and armed with it and possible the old tiger e mail archives anything is possible. The good side is nearly everything has been tried on these beasts the road is well worn.

My 2 cents is play toys need to be played with get a garage heater and tv and tunes and add them to your tiger/man cave.

There is a car of legend out here the "Tigershark," a original rivet car MK1 with primer ratty bucket seats Alpine badges on the wings a crate motor with CAT club headers Wilwood brakes and a water ski fin glued on the boot.
Beauty is only skin deep....or in the eye of the beholder.
 
Warren said:
When the shop notes are completed get a copy. I borrowed a older edition from our Treasurer Rick. If is good reading and armed with it and possible the old tiger e mail archives anything is possible. The good side is nearly everything has been tried on these beasts the road is well worn.

My 2 cents is play toys need to be played with get a garage heater and tv and tunes and add them to your tiger/man cave.

There is a car of legend out here the "Tigershark," a original rivet car MK1 with primer ratty bucket seats Alpine badges on the wings a crate motor with CAT club headers Wilwood brakes and a water ski fin glued on the boot.
Beauty is only skin deep....or in the eye of the beholder.
Click to expand...

Warren,

Tiger/ Man cave? You are assuming that the starter of this thread is a man. You know what they say about that word "assume".

The Tigers East United has been great so far, cold & wet, but fun!
 
Point taken

But there was also no reference to if the Tiger was Male or female. Seen the show all girls garage? Anyone can have a cave away from the cell phone or w/e caves are by nature equal opportunity. I think what is important is there is help here and in something as simple as the old school black and white printed shop notes.

The bigger problem here is the reluctance of shops to do non production work which everyone faces. For the better part shops can't afford the quirky time eating things on a one off job. Many shops may not even do a complete on a car even if you strip it completely and re assemble yourself. They know you may end up coming back with some scratch nick or other re assembly problem and it is easier and better biz for them to say no or quote an astronomical price from the get go. I know you know this and it is a bummer we are all in the same boat.

It may have been a bad guess not an assumption:cool:
 
Good Point Warren

Warren said:
But there was also no reference to if the Tiger was Male or female. Seen the show all girls garage? Anyone can have a cave away from the cell phone or w/e caves are by nature equal opportunity. I think what is important is there is help here and in something as simple as the old school black and white printed shop notes.

The bigger problem here is the reluctance of shops to do non production work which everyone faces. For the better part shops can't afford the quirky time eating things on a one off job. Many shops may not even do a complete on a car even if you strip it completely and re assemble yourself. They know you may end up coming back with some scratch nick or other re assembly problem and it is easier and better biz for them to say no or quote an astronomical price from the get go. I know you know this and it is a bummer we are all in the same boat.

It may have been a bad guess not an assumption:cool:
Click to expand...

From the Nor'east toy shop: One of the things we had to come to grips with is the costs & overhead pains involved with ancient restoration. Billing for time spent saving a stuck bolt is always an argument. The retired group & Guru do the patience stuff while the heat & lights are covered by the daily parking lot dents and scratches by the speedy youths. The guys have a lot of pride but frustration and burnout from a lengthy & fussy project can be a heartache.
 
I'm restoring my MKII myself.

A $3,000 vehicle, about $17,000 of parts and estimating $5,000 in outside labor for the posi install and final paint spray.

Plus many hours of my own labor.....

It has traveled over 9,000 miles in moving vans (at company expense) in 28 years and last ran in about 1983.

Lots of fun.............
 
Maryland Option

JLR

I saw your MkII at the crab feast. I had also heard you were considering Automotive Precision in Williamsport, MD.

Now my MkI was pretty nice when I got it over 3 years ago, but the restoration was starting to show its age after 10 years, especially at some of the body seams that were not done properly the first time and were staring to show cracks in the finish. I used AMP for that and other touch ups and was very satisfied with the workmanship. My Tiger has gone onto win several awards at local, regional and national shows. I also know that although not Tiger experts, AMP has done one other Tiger. I have also seen one of the Jag XK 120s they did and it was very nice. Just wanted to let you know that I would give them a thumbs up.

If you want to PM me we can exchange email and phone numbers so we can talk/correspond more in depth, if you want.

All the best with your project regardless of what you decide.
 
My high estimate from Maryland was not done to encourage me to take the car elsewhere. Believe me, the work done there is museum quality and one pays for it. I had only spoken to Andy on the phone before taking the car to him for an estimate. Upon touring his facility and seeing the cars there in stages of being made perfect again, I could see the labor intense job being done on each of the different cars. And labor intense equals time plus money. I pretty much knew he was out of my league.

I have been cleaning pieces of the car, mostly interior. The chrome is pretty much okay. If I had a glass beading machine I'd tackle some of the engine parts. But I work full time and run a business out of my home, so I don't have the time to get much done on the car myself if I want to have it done before they take my license away for being too old and senile to drive.
 
Consideration

jlrMK2 said:
My high estimate from Maryland was not done to encourage me to take the car elsewhere. Believe me, the work done there is museum quality and one pays for it. I had only spoken to Andy on the phone before taking the car to him for an estimate. Upon touring his facility and seeing the cars there in stages of being made perfect again, I could see the labor intense job being done on each of the different cars. And labor intense equals time plus money. I pretty much knew he was out of my league.

I have been cleaning pieces of the car, mostly interior. The chrome is pretty much okay. If I had a glass beading machine I'd tackle some of the engine parts. But I work full time and run a business out of my home, so I don't have the time to get much done on the car myself if I want to have it done before they take my license away for being too old and senile to drive.
Click to expand...

Along with finding available talents that don't require a mortgage, patience & consideration are key factors. Ancient history iron can be a very personal experience. There is a tiny alleyway shop out side of Pepperell, Mass that looks like something from Sanford & Son, Bombed & strafed but, on any given week, you will find any number of the areas more prestige cars & owners be treated with the best care. (No Affil) Of course, you will always find an abundance of humor & opinions here for relief . . . . . . .keep at it.
 
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