MG Midget ???

[cajun555]

Dads got a 1976 MG that he gave a hundred for. The car is all intact, Straight body, no rust that I can spot. My intentions are to make a driver out of it and not a show car. Don't know if I'm going to have to go through the motor yet but prepared to, and it will have to have a complete interior, go through all the brakes, all the mechanical stuff. <br /><br />I'm figuring 3 to 4 grand. What do you think.<br /><br />The wife won't let me get a Harley, so I'll do the MG.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: MG Midget ???

man those are fun cars, when they run, get some info on those SU carbs, they are touchy and require periodic refilling of the oil resevoirs or they wont idle.<br /> but that engine is like the rest, suck,squeeze bang and blow.<br /> test spark and compression, if its ok go with fuel.

 

[JB]

Re: MG Midget ???

Fun cars to drive if you don't lust for hard accelleration or decelleration. Handle like gokarts.<br /><br />Back in the 70s all three of my girls had Spridgets. I spent so much time repairing electrics, U joints and burnt valves that they made a sign to put over the garage door, "JB's Sunday Morning Spridget Repair Shop".

 

[cajun555]

Re: MG Midget ???

It looks like it would be a fun car. Best of all no back seat so no grand kids. I had hopes of getting it to the house and up on jack stands today. I just can't convince the wife that 25* is not to cold for me to toe the car home with the wife as the towie and me the toer. (No top on car)<br /><br />I do have a Haynes manuel and a Victoria British parts catalog, so that will be helpful.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: MG Midget ???

Every part you will ever need is right here:<br /> http://www.victoriabritish.com/ Free catalog !<br /><br />I have restored 4 triumphs and these people have the parts. The midget is easy to work on with the exception of the lucas electronics.<br /><br />LOL wait until you do the bearings they are tiny!<br /><br />Be advised that MG "saved" money by installing small plugs (real short bolts) into where a grease zirk should be. If you are greasining the car the intention was remove the plug install a zirk and grease...then re-insert the plug I learned that the hard way! Get a manual.<br /><br />Have fun

 

[bootle]

Re: MG Midget ???

Replace all of the Lucas electricals if you can.<br />Lucas really sucked back then, don't know 'bout these days.<br />That is a fun drive

 

[rodbolt]

Re: MG Midget ???

my bet is you will find out why we say Lucas is the prince of darkness .<br /> however like JB said, acceleration is not blinding, braking is adequate top speed on most the stock ones was around 80 MPH but they will do a 90* corner at that speed. its like a go cart.<br />my dad raced the MG's and Austin Healy's for a long time.<br /> there are quite a few hop up mods the midget can handle but they get expensive and make a tempremental car impossible.<br />dad liked to go road racing and I liked drag racing so we did not race together much. we each considered the others hobby a waste of time and gas.<br />wish I could do it again .

 

[ndemge]

Re: MG Midget ???

I want one just cause of my last name

 

[Terry Olson]

Re: MG Midget ???

V-8 conversion!!!<br /><br />Been done - but what a ride that would be.

 

[JB]

Re: MG Midget ???

Saw one of those, Terry. Handled like a barge. Understeered as though it was on ice. Damned scary ride.<br /><br />Want to go fast in one? Find a 1275 Cooper conversion for it.

 

[deputydawg]

Re: MG Midget ???

Back in high school someone I know put one on a blazer frame. Made an interesting looking mudder.<br /><br />If you can do most of the work yourself 3 to 4 grand should be plenty.

 

[cajun555]

Re: MG Midget ???

Well, got the MG home last sat. Did alot of inspection of the overall situation. Basically the car is sound. Brake system is all rebuildable with the exception of the M/C. It will have to be replaced.<br /><br />Noticed one freeze plug out of block so I pulled the head to make sure there were no cracks in the cylinder walls. That looked good after I finally was able to get the head loose. Man what a chore. <br /><br />I was ready to start to work on the car so I had all my metric tools out and low and behold, so far ever bolt and nut I've turned has been SAE.<br /><br />One of these days when I learn how to post pictures I'll post. I know how we all like to look at pictures<br /><br />JB, since your such an expert on MGs and you live so close to me your welcome to come over any time and help.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: MG Midget ???

Alot of the british cars are not american or metric they might be whitworth. look at http://www.britishtool.com/ <br /><br />bob