Ok, So what Now

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1960Zody
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Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:24 am

Ok, So what Now

#1 Post by 1960Zody »

Well,
Having finally got the £3 Midget into a fully running and MOT'd state, what meets, clubs etc are around in the SE London N Kent area?
It's take so long to get drivable that I don't want it just to sit in the garage doing nothing.... :D
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TerryG
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Location: East Midlands

Re: Ok, So what Now

#2 Post by TerryG »

In your place I would be making use of some of kent's nice windy country roads and having a blast! take your mrs with you, go for a spin and have lunch at a nice pub. Shows are good to look around at shiny cars but they are designed to be driven.
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
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Luxobarge
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Location: Horne, Surreyshire

Re: Ok, So what Now

#3 Post by Luxobarge »

^^^WHS^^^

And I can tell you from much experience that there are not many better cars for such a purpose than a well sorted Midget! I always return with a big grin....
Some people are like Slinkies - they serve no useful purpose, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them downstairs.
1960Zody
Posts: 28
Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:24 am

Re: Ok, So what Now

#4 Post by 1960Zody »

I'm doing that already, and it's a great little car.
Strangely, my wife decided, after just one trip in the car, that she wanted a roof and airbags....
There's just no pleaseing some.
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TerryG
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Location: East Midlands

Re: Ok, So what Now

#5 Post by TerryG »

Should I assume that your good lady has long hair? My other half rented me a Healey 3000 for my 30th last year and spent the whole day complaining it was messing her hair up. I just drove faster to drown out the noise of her complaining with intake roar ;)
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
1960Zody
Posts: 28
Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:24 am

Re: Ok, So what Now

#6 Post by 1960Zody »

I think she's been spoilt by the modern company cars I used to have,,, :-)
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Martin Evans
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Location: South Wales.
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Re: Ok, So what Now

#7 Post by Martin Evans »

Welcome to the world of Midgeting (Got a picture :?: ) :D . If I won the Lottery, I wouldn't get rid of mine :!: I really enjoy driving the Midget and have done hillclimbs in mine, where the diminutive size is a dintinct bonus (In short distance club events, unless the B has a V8, a well sorted Midget is always faster than a B), just as it is in the garage. It fits you like a glove and is a nice simple car to maintain; just remember the grease gun every 1000 miles.

I haven't been to Kent in over 20 years and that was just passing through, so I don't know it at all well (I saw the last British Grand Prix at Brand Hatch and though it was a long way for me, I think it was a better circuit than Silverstone). I know it was once a rural county and home to some fine breweries but I don't know how much London and the links to Europe have encroached on that :?:

As to clubs, the Midget is covered by three.

http://www.mgcc.co.uk/ - The original and once works supported club, that has covered MG models, as they appeared, since 1930. No longer the biggest MG club but if you fancy a bit of club motor sport, probably the best. Split up into registers for car types (http://www.midgetregister.com/) and centres for regions.

http://www.mgownersclub.co.uk/ - Set up in 1973, by those who felt the MG Car Club was too focused on older models. I don't know if it was; I joined the MG Car Club in 1984 and didn't find it to be the case. Originally it catered for 1955 models and later (MGA on) but it now caters for all models (Though I think it remains very much what you might call the MGB club). I have the impression that if club runs and social scene are your thing, the MGOC is the one to join. It is certainly the biggest club and runs it's own shop and insurance scheme.

http://midgetandspriteclub.com/ - The name describes it :!: The newest of the clubs and the smallest. My father is in this and the club magazine is small (A5 size) but has come on since the stencilled publication of the 1980s. I think the club started in the Bristol area and I think still has quite a following in that area.

Enjoy :!:

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Rules exist for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men.

MG Midget 1500, MGB GT V8, Morris Minor Traveller 1275, MG Midget 1275 & too many bicycles.
1960Zody
Posts: 28
Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:24 am

Re: Ok, So what Now

#8 Post by 1960Zody »

Thanks for the info Martin.
This is the £3 Midget.
That was the pruchase price, from a former work colleague.
He'd been restoring it since 1998 and three years ago his wife got fed up and demanded that it vacated the garage to allow for the litchen white goods to go in there.
I jokingly offered him £3 and was a bit surprised to say the least when he agreed.
When I picked it up he gave me a quick tour of what had been done.
New Floor,both A pillars and a complete new interior.

I did try to give him more money but was refused.
I've replaced the Waxstat carbs, the alternator and the started motor and had a bit more welding done.
So far it stands me at about £500

Not bad for something that I never really planned to get in the first place... :D

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Martin Evans
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Re: Ok, So what Now

#9 Post by Martin Evans »

Cooling can be a problem with the 1500 (Not surprising when you consider that the bumper covers most of the opening and the number plate much of the rest!!). Moving the number plate and fitting an oil cooler, is a great help to these cars. 165/70 tyres work well too. A very enjoyable and easy car.
Rules exist for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men.

MG Midget 1500, MGB GT V8, Morris Minor Traveller 1275, MG Midget 1275 & too many bicycles.
1960Zody
Posts: 28
Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:24 am

Re: Ok, So what Now

#10 Post by 1960Zody »

Martin Evans wrote:Cooling can be a problem with the 1500 (Not surprising when you consider that the bumper covers most of the opening and the number plate much of the rest!!). Moving the number plate and fitting an oil cooler, is a great help to these cars. 165/70 tyres work well too. A very enjoyable and easy car.
Now you come to mention it, the temp gauge does quickly get up to the 'Hot' side and sticks there resolutely, despite the new thermostat.
It's something that I'm looking at.
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