MG Midget - My First Classic

MG Midget - My First Classic

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Martin350

Original Poster:

3,775 posts

195 months

Thursday 8th August 2019
quotequote all
Ha, I know.
And thanks!

As I'm not running in new piston rings or anything I've been driving it like it was built to! driving

RobXjcoupe

3,172 posts

91 months

Friday 9th August 2019
quotequote all
Lovely read and your work done is very good smile just a thought as you mentioned about the wheels. You could have the original steels made wider.

Martin350

Original Poster:

3,775 posts

195 months

Sunday 11th August 2019
quotequote all
Thank you.
I suppose I could but, as it's turned out, the car has such an originality about it and a very nice history I think I'll leave it as standard as I can.

I am planning on getting the roll bar repainted next week and maybe a few other bits if I get time.

Martin350

Original Poster:

3,775 posts

195 months

Saturday 7th September 2019
quotequote all
I did remove the roll bar to get it repainted, but then I looked at the car, and I prefer it without it!






Today, after me getting in touch with the previous owner a few weeks ago, I was paid a visit by this lovely gentleman, and his lovely wife.




He was the car's second owner, from August 1993, and he was a close friend of its first owner, so has known the car from new.

He was very complimentary of what I've done with it, in his words "I'm glad it went to a good home", which made me happy.
He took a load of photos of it, asked lots of questions, and we had a really good chat about it.
He was also quite positive that the car has never had paint work done, so my mate who polished it was right about it being original!

MJK 24

5,648 posts

236 months

Sunday 8th September 2019
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Nice to see one of the previous owners reacquainting themselves with their old car.

I have owned a 1985 Scirocco for nearly 20 years. I’d like to speak to the previous two owners but I understand this is no longer possible with the new DVLA rules?

Great thread by the way. I’ve enjoyed it all, start to finish.

shalmaneser

5,934 posts

195 months

Monday 9th September 2019
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It does look much better without the roll bar! Maybe better off painting it black rather than red?

Martin350

Original Poster:

3,775 posts

195 months

Wednesday 6th May 2020
quotequote all
Lockdown and furlough has given me a bit of spare tinkering time.

The Midget has had re-adjusted rear brakes/handbrake, new plastic headlamp bowls, rubbers and fixings, and a damn good dust, clean and polish of paint, chrome and glass:


Cambs_Stuart

2,870 posts

84 months

Thursday 7th May 2020
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It looks fantastic!

andburg

7,292 posts

169 months

Thursday 7th May 2020
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brilliant.

A while ago i tracked down my fiance's dad's triumph stag and took her along to see and have a ride out.
Great the new owners, like yourself allow old owners to come and see them again.

I'd love to sneakily buy it back but I don't have the spare cash or space to sort it out.

shalmaneser

5,934 posts

195 months

Thursday 7th May 2020
quotequote all
Reading this is making me want a rattly old british ragtop....

crofty1984

15,859 posts

204 months

Thursday 7th May 2020
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I was going to ask if you'd shown the old owner what you've done.

Sticks.

8,753 posts

251 months

Thursday 7th May 2020
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Looking good, you just need to be allowed out to play now. Was thinking about mine the other day. It came with a smaller steering wheel, not sure exactly what, which helped make it feel very go kart. Both the TVR and Z4 feel barge-like by comparison.

Mr Squarekins

1,045 posts

62 months

Friday 8th May 2020
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Great thread, really enjoyed it. Looks like you're doing a nice job there.

My first car was a 1970 1275 Midget that was mostly in boxes. A friend at the time had a black plastic bumpered one.

Still got a fondness 30 years later. I always said that I'd treat myself to a round wheel arched one. '73?


Martin350

Original Poster:

3,775 posts

195 months

Saturday 29th May 2021
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Crikey, has it really been a year since I updated this..!?

I guess I've not done much until very recently.

Today I collected and fitted my refurbished wheels fitted with brand new tyres, very pleased with them I am too.





I also fitted a new radiator as mine was leaking slightly.



And hopefully I'll get round to fitting an electronic ignition system very soon.



Almost ready for some summer fun! smiledriving

1602Mark

16,205 posts

173 months

Saturday 29th May 2021
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Perfect weather for it. smile

Martin350

Original Poster:

3,775 posts

195 months

Saturday 29th May 2021
quotequote all
Definitely! smile

And there's a classic car meeting at a local-ish pub next sunday....

Ambleton

6,656 posts

192 months

Sunday 30th May 2021
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Will be interested to learn how you get along with your electronic ignition.

I have a 1275 A+ to rebuild at some point for one of my projects and would like to modernise it a bit.

67Dino

3,583 posts

105 months

Sunday 30th May 2021
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Looks gorgeous and v nostalgic for me. My first car was an MG Midget identical to yours, 30 (ahem) years ago. It looked fabulous all polished and chromed, as yours does.

My favourite thing on it was the switch to turn off the dashboard dials when driving with the roof down at night, so you felt totally immersed… bliss (although no doubt illegal now).

Many happy memories of what remains one of my favourite cars ever. Enjoy your summer motoring!

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

30,254 posts

235 months

Sunday 30th May 2021
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Stunning!

I had an S reg:



It also had the MG rather than Triumph dials which I think was quite unusual. (I don't know what the cut off date for that was)

Penelope Stopit

11,209 posts

109 months

Sunday 30th May 2021
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Nice car

Flame Thrower is a great name for a coil, I guess you could claim compensation from the coil manufacturer if the engine ever went on fire