MG Midget - My First Classic

MG Midget - My First Classic

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Martin350

Original Poster:

3,775 posts

194 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
quotequote all
I've owned old cars in the past, but none that I would call a proper classic (they are now but at the time they were just old!).
I'd been thinking about getting an old car for a while now and kept half an eye on ebay and PH Classifieds to see what was around, mostly looking at MGs and Triumph Spitfires.

Early last week I stumbled across an ebay auction for a 1979 MG Midget.

Last saturday I did the 160 mile round trip and went and had a look at the car.
It had been laid up in a garage, on axle stands, for 21 years!
But, the bodywork, hood and interior have survived remarkably well.

On sunday I put in the winning bid, and last night went with an old acquaintance, who owns a flat bed truck, to pick it up. And by 10pm it was tucked away in the garage at home.

These are the only photos I've got so far, I'll get better ones this weekend.









I'm its third owner and it's done just 55,000 miles!
Less than 10,000 of those are on its replacement Gold Seal engine which was fitted in 1987.

I'm quite handy with the spanners, but my bodywork skills are severely lacking, so this car is ideal for me in that respect.

The clutch pedal is solid so the hydraulics or the clutch itself needs sorting and the brakes are, unsurprisingly, not very good.
And I'm sure I'll find plenty of other things to keep me busy.

All I have to do now is grow a beard, buy a few dodgy cardigans, start smoking a pipe and drink lots of real ale (I've got that one sorted alredy)! biggrin


I'll let you all know how I get on with it.

Paul S4

1,181 posts

209 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
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Nice car and seems in remarkable condition...must have been restored at some time I presume ?

My first 'proper car' was a 73 MGBGT ( I bought that in 1983) and it was my daily driver for 5 years in Newcastle.

Knowing what I know now, I would have done a few 'improvements' to the way the car handles and maybe done some work on the cylinder head to get more power out of it. These BMC engines are very 'tuneable' and the parts are relatively cheap.

Looking forward to more pics etc on your project.

Martin350

Original Poster:

3,775 posts

194 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
quotequote all
Thanks, I'm chuffed to bits with it!

When I went to view it before bidding on it I took a friend who is a paint / bodywork professional.
He reckoned it might have had a rear wheel arch at some stage but the sills look original and underneath has been painted with underseal / stonechip type stuff in the 1980's or 90's and looks untouched.
My mate reckoned it has probably been repainted at some point but original colour.

It's a bit dusty from 21 years in a garage and the lovely old guy I bought it from said he didn't wash it before I came round because he didn't want it to get wet! biggrin

I'll probably fit some sort of electronic ignition, and it needs an exhaust, so there's a couple of potential upgrades there.

ArnieVXR

2,449 posts

182 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
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Sad when someone buys a 'proper classic' and you find it was a car that was sold new when you were at school cry

I had a 1965 Mark II, which was a very rare rot box. I loved it.

Martin350

Original Poster:

3,775 posts

194 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
quotequote all
Yes, I know what you mean, I'm older than this classic car too. irked

davepoth

29,395 posts

198 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
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On the clutch, if you're lucky it will just be the pressure plate that's seized. Once you've got it running (definitely change the oil first, the 1500 engine is a bit fragile at the bottom end) let it run for at least half an hour to get everything properly warm. Switch off, and prop the clutch pedal down with a bit of wood. Leave overnight and with any luck it'll be freed up.

alternatively, if you've got some room to play with start the car in first and drive around in circles for a while with the clutch pressed in.

Martin350

Original Poster:

3,775 posts

194 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
quotequote all
Thanks for that.
Only thing is, the clutch pedal can't be pressed down, I'm worried I'll bend the pedal if I try any harder!

I'll try and get a bit of time on it at the weekend to have a closer look.

bungz

1,960 posts

119 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
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I particularly like the GROT number plate laugh

Martin350

Original Poster:

3,775 posts

194 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
quotequote all
Yes, rather apt for a British Leyland product, I think! hehe

Westy Pre-Lit

5,087 posts

202 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
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My dad has a 1965 Midget which i drove for the first time a few weeks ago, they're brilliant fun and will easily put a silly huge grin on your face if you're not careful.

Enjoy and have fun. thumbup

Altrezia

8,517 posts

210 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
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I really like this - lovely little cars. Enjoy smile

Martin350

Original Poster:

3,775 posts

194 months

Monday 25th July 2016
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Thank you!

I didn't get any work done to it this weekend but did get a few slightly better photos;












I got it insured on a classic policy, fully comprehensive, limited to 3,000 miles a year and includes the option to use it for commuting - for £87! thumbup

LittleEnus

3,218 posts

173 months

Monday 25th July 2016
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Love the Midgets! Get out there and enjoy!!

Martin350

Original Poster:

3,775 posts

194 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
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That won't be happening for a good while yet!


Yesterday evening was the first time I set about the car with spanners.

My first task was to investigate the non-moving clutch pedal.

The hydraulics checked out ok, so it's got a seized clutch, as I suspected.
So, at some point in the hopefully not too distant future, I'm going to pull the engine and gearbox out to sort that out, and no doubt I'll end up with a list of other jobs to do while it's apart.

The exhaust rear silencer is corroded and split where the tail pipe comes out so I removed the whole exhaust system with the hangers / rubbers, most of which fell apart upon removal and will be replaced.



I'm thinking about a stainless steel single box system, but that can wait until nearer the time it's needed.

gifdy

2,065 posts

240 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
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I've got a real soft spot for Midgets. My first car was a rubber bumper Midget same colour as yours. In fact, I've still got it 26 years on, sitting in the garage feeling sorry for itself. I must get it back on the road !

Martin350

Original Poster:

3,775 posts

194 months

Thursday 28th July 2016
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Yes, you should! smile


I've had a few hours spare this week so I've got on getting the engine ready for removal.

All the engine electrics (three wires and one multi plug) are disconnected, starter and alternator off, manifolds and carbs off, radiator and fan out etc.

All that needs removing now are a few bell housing bolts, engine mounts and the bonnet, then I can pull the engine out.


Martin350

Original Poster:

3,775 posts

194 months

Monday 1st August 2016
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Which is what I did yesterday.



Plenty of work to do in here...




Martin350

Original Poster:

3,775 posts

194 months

Tuesday 13th September 2016
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It's been six weeks since I posted but thought I'd give a quick update.

Work has mostly been in the engine bay giving it a bit of a tidy up.

Before;





Still work in progress;






Master cylinder bracket repainted and new cylinders ready to go back in;




The cylinder head is off, bores look good, still with the honing marks and no scoring or wear ridge;




I've done a few small things that I think will add up to a big difference, like spending just twenty minutes or so scrubbing the windscreen washer bottle;






Still loads to do, of course, but I'm quite enjoying it. smile




Edited by Martin350 on Tuesday 13th September 11:55

Martin350

Original Poster:

3,775 posts

194 months

Wednesday 19th October 2016
quotequote all
Another quick update.

I've still mostly been removing and cleaning / painting bits and pieces from the engine bay.

Here are some of them:

Heater valve;





Coolant tank - it seems these are no longer available.
I filled it with cola and used a toothbrush to get at the grime inside it, heating the toothbrush with a lighter and bending it to get the right angle to get at various areas inside.
A good scrub and T-Cut for the outside.





Alternator cleaned up quite easily;



Wiper motor - Ford Capri Stratos Silver, as I had a can in the garage from about 15 years ago!
The bracket is chrome paint, for a little contrast;



The Gold Seal engine is coming along;





Heater box - repainted, new decals, stainless self tapping screws, new grommets and clips;







Steering column and dashboard are also out for refurbishment / paint;




I'm looking forward to getting the engine bay finished so I can start putting everything back in, the garage looks like utter chaos at the moment! biggrin

BenWRXSEi

2,343 posts

133 months

Wednesday 19th October 2016
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Some excellent work there. I like all the effort you're putting into the the little details! thumbup