Re: Any MG Midget fans here?
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2016 3:28 pm
Re-built a MK II Midget in the '70s (1098cc). Bought a pretty beat up and neglected example with Cosmic alloys (and for a price that meant I could sell alloys and get money back!).
I wouldn't start but nothing a boot lace to hold coil lead away from block didn't fix .. seller's face was a picture when we drove away after trying to tow it.
Lots of niggles getting it home with the driver's seat parting company from floor. Non-standard fibreglass buckets seats screwed to block of wood which was screwed through floor .. screws came out. Luckily my mate who drive it was tall enough to jam seat as far back as it would go and still reach pedals. (Not for vertically challenged me though!) Oh and wiper arms fell off .. we saved one. Indicators worked! As did brake light .. offside only!
Rear spring hangers were shot as were sills and wings, but it was rebuilt and back up and running in less that 10 months ... which meant the NEW MOT it came with was still valid while test running it!!! (Yes, NEW MOT!! You could see daylight from around the spring hangers!)
Lacked punch .. turned out valves on 3 & 4 were burnt, but still ran on 1 & 2!! .. head re-build and all was fine ..
Looked good in darker red paint, white roof and interior panels. New seats and carpets and the 10" steering wheel!
Only parted company as daughter arrived and my suggestion of strapping carry-cot to boot rack wasn't acceptable apparently!
I wouldn't start but nothing a boot lace to hold coil lead away from block didn't fix .. seller's face was a picture when we drove away after trying to tow it.
Lots of niggles getting it home with the driver's seat parting company from floor. Non-standard fibreglass buckets seats screwed to block of wood which was screwed through floor .. screws came out. Luckily my mate who drive it was tall enough to jam seat as far back as it would go and still reach pedals. (Not for vertically challenged me though!) Oh and wiper arms fell off .. we saved one. Indicators worked! As did brake light .. offside only!
Rear spring hangers were shot as were sills and wings, but it was rebuilt and back up and running in less that 10 months ... which meant the NEW MOT it came with was still valid while test running it!!! (Yes, NEW MOT!! You could see daylight from around the spring hangers!)
Lacked punch .. turned out valves on 3 & 4 were burnt, but still ran on 1 & 2!! .. head re-build and all was fine ..
Looked good in darker red paint, white roof and interior panels. New seats and carpets and the 10" steering wheel!
Only parted company as daughter arrived and my suggestion of strapping carry-cot to boot rack wasn't acceptable apparently!
