MGs are among our most-demanded commissions. They were built to a price, and a careful restoration gives a driving experience that would cost far more in any other marque.
The T-series (TC, TD, TF) need a woodworker as much as a metalworker. The ash-frame bodies rot where moisture collects, and a proper restoration rebuilds the frame from seasoned ash before any panels go back on. We keep a dedicated wood shop on site with ash stocks in common MG sections.
MGA and MGB work is much closer to standard chassis-and-panel restoration, with the usual weak points: sills, floors, rear wheel-arches on MGBs, and the complicated rear-axle mounts on MGA. Our supplier relationships with Moss Europe, Brown & Gammons, and NTG Motor Services cover most MG parts needs.
Flagship models
- MG TC / TD / TF1945–1955Wood-frame pre-war-spec roadsters. Full body-off and ash-frame rebuild scope.
- MGA 1500 / 1600 / Twin Cam1955–1962Roadster and Coupé. We take on Twin Cam variants selectively because of parts availability.
- MGB Chrome Bumper1962–1974We restore more of these than any other MG. Full chassis, mechanical and interior work, Show Driver or Concours.
- MGB Rubber Bumper1974–1980Often converted back to chrome-bumper spec. We do both.
- MG Midget1961–1979Small in scope and an ideal first restoration for new collectors.
Common restoration challenges
- Ash-frame rot on T-series (we remake frames from seasoned ash, not laminated)
- Sill and rear wheel-arch corrosion on MGBs (near-universal)
- MGA Twin Cam head-gasket sourcing and valve-seat specification
- Original colour-matching for Iris Blue, Old English White, Flame Red, British Racing Green
- Connolly leather for factory-spec seats (we source direct from the successor producer)
- Smiths instrument restoration, which goes out to a specialist
Our process for MG
T-series projects get an ash-frame assessment first. Sometimes the frame can be saved with patching; often it needs complete replacement. On MGBs we check the sill and floor condition at three stress points before committing to scope, and every MG gets a chassis-number check against the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust registry.
Typical project cost
T-series Concours builds regularly cross €90,000 because of the ash-frame and fabric-body labour. MGB rubber-bumper-to-chrome-bumper conversions add €8,000–€15,000 over a standard MGB restoration.
| Tier | Indicative 2026 range |
|---|---|
| Daily Driver | from €14,000 (MGB) |
| Show Driver | €30,000 – €65,000 (MGB, MGA, Midget) |
| Concours | €70,000 upward (MGA, TC/TD/TF) |
What the labour costs here vs at home
Labour is €60 an hour plus VAT, billed monthly on the hours actually worked. Workshops of comparable standard in Germany, Switzerland and the UK charge €85–130 an hour. Parts, chrome and specialist outside work cost about the same everywhere, so the saving is in the labour, and a full MG restoration is mostly labour.
| Hours | Here€60/h + VAT | Western Europe€85–130/h |
|---|---|---|
| 500 h | €30,000saves €12,500–35,000 | €42,500–65,000 |
| 1,000 h | €60,000saves €25,000–70,000 | €85,000–130,000 |
| 1,500 h | €90,000saves €37,500–105,000 | €127,500–195,000 |
Illustrative arithmetic at the published rates, before VAT. Not a quote. Cars that leave the EU after the restoration — to the UK, Switzerland, the US and elsewhere — are normally invoiced without Romanian VAT. Collection from Western Europe, the UK or the US is arranged by our transport service.
MG FAQ
How much does an MGB restoration cost in 2026?
A Daily Driver MGB restoration costs €14,000–€25,000. A Show Driver MGB with full body-off work and a chrome respray is €35,000–€55,000. A Concours MGB with NOS-only sourcing and a factory-correct interior starts at €65,000.
Do you restore T-series MGs (TC, TD, TF)?
Yes, and they are among our most interesting commissions. We have an in-house wood shop with ash stocks. A full ash-frame rebuild with panel work takes 10–14 months on a Show Driver build.
Can you convert a rubber-bumper MGB back to chrome-bumper spec?
Yes, and it's common. We lower the rear ride height to factory spec, swap in chrome bumper brackets and over-riders, and replace the valances and front grille. It adds about €8,000–€15,000 over a standard restoration.
What about wire wheels?
We refurbish spoked wheels in-house, rebuilding the spoke pattern and truing to factory run-out. Splined-hub conversions are also possible for cars built with bolt-on steel wheels.
How long does an MGA restoration take?
A Show Driver MGA Mk I typically takes 10–14 months. A Concours MGA with factory-colour paint and NOS sourcing, especially a matching-numbers car, takes 16–22 months.
Do you do MG MGF / MG TF (modern)?
Not as restoration commissions. They are modern cars that need conventional servicing, and we'd refer you to an MG specialist closer to you for those.
Is it cheaper to restore a MG in Romania?
Usually, for labour-heavy work. Our labour is €60 an hour plus VAT, against €85–130 in Germany, Switzerland and the UK, so the same 1,000 hours costs €60,000 here instead of €85,000–130,000. Parts cost about the same everywhere, and transport from Western Europe is a small share of the difference. We bill monthly on the hours actually worked, with supplier invoices shown on your statement.
Do I pay Romanian VAT if my car goes back to the UK, Switzerland or the US?
Normally not. Cars that leave the EU after the restoration — to the UK, Switzerland, the US and elsewhere — are normally invoiced without Romanian VAT. EU clients pay Romanian VAT (21%) on the work. Your home country usually charges its own import VAT on the value of the work when the car returns, under its outward-processing rules, so plan that with your customs agent. We confirm the VAT treatment for your car with the quote.
How do I follow the restoration from abroad?
Every restoration client gets a private online tracker: each stage of the work with photos and notes, viewable from anywhere. Monthly statements list the hours and parts, and you can visit the workshop in Moara Vlăsiei, near Bucharest, by appointment at any stage.