MG Midget - My First Classic
Discussion
jules_s said:
Better to know now I guess 
The dull thud and loss of drive still haunts me.......a quick google suggests there are upgrades now available though
I do appreciate the warning.The dull thud and loss of drive still haunts me.......a quick google suggests there are upgrades now available though
Reading my reply back it looks a bit arsey, sorry.
I think I'm just slightly disheartened and frustrated with it tonight.
I was hoping to start using it next week but that seems very unlikely now.
RobXjcoupe said:
Just reading as I’m thinking about owning a midget, the black and silver number plate thing now rolls with the 40 year old zero tax and no mot. I was aware of the original 1975 plate change over but that’s irrelevant now. Technically when a 1990 car turns 40 it can be legally fitted with black and silver plates. Strange but true. Go figure?!
Ah, that kinda makes sence to follow the 40 year tax and M.O.T. thing, I suppose.I'm still going to stick with the original plates, they're slightly tatty but I think they're a bit cool.
jules_s said:
Don't be daft - no offence taken at all
I loved mine despite the issues. It certainly benefited from a full Janspeed which made it very capable indeed
tbh I think it was a bit of a duffer, and running it too many miles perhaps added to its weaknesses
Nothing healthy maintenance wouldn't help out with though - and a Moss account!
Oh, I have a Moss account! I loved mine despite the issues. It certainly benefited from a full Janspeed which made it very capable indeed
tbh I think it was a bit of a duffer, and running it too many miles perhaps added to its weaknesses
Nothing healthy maintenance wouldn't help out with though - and a Moss account!
Janspeed, as in a sort of full engine toon up thing? Do you know what power it had?
I don't expect it to be trouble free motoring, I've owned Minis and Fords from around this age, and an old TVR!
This week I've had bad news and good news.
The bad news is, after attempting to 'tax' the car it turns out that the 40 year rolling thing doesn't roll by day/week/month, only whole years.
That means that my car isn't tax & M.O.T. exempt until January 1st 2,020.
It just means I need an M.O.T. to drive it this summer, but that shouldn't be a problem, I think.
The good news is, I was in the pub with a mate tonight, conversation changed to the MG and I reminded him of the weird electrical issues I've had.
He mentioned that with some similar old Ford fuse boxes he'd had in cars it mattered which way up it was fitted.
You've guessed it, my fuse box was upside down.
All electrics now working fine!
For me, that's a nice step forward, and a big relief!
The bad news is, after attempting to 'tax' the car it turns out that the 40 year rolling thing doesn't roll by day/week/month, only whole years.
That means that my car isn't tax & M.O.T. exempt until January 1st 2,020.
It just means I need an M.O.T. to drive it this summer, but that shouldn't be a problem, I think.
The good news is, I was in the pub with a mate tonight, conversation changed to the MG and I reminded him of the weird electrical issues I've had.
He mentioned that with some similar old Ford fuse boxes he'd had in cars it mattered which way up it was fitted.
You've guessed it, my fuse box was upside down.
All electrics now working fine!
For me, that's a nice step forward, and a big relief!
I've made a bit more progress recently.
I've fixed another small coolant leak, a small exhaust blow, polished the chrome bits, adjusted tracking, bolted up the front anti roll bar and links, got the engine to idle with no choke when warmed up, and fitted the bonnet.
It now looks like a complete car, which it almost is!
I've fixed another small coolant leak, a small exhaust blow, polished the chrome bits, adjusted tracking, bolted up the front anti roll bar and links, got the engine to idle with no choke when warmed up, and fitted the bonnet.
It now looks like a complete car, which it almost is!
I've been sorting out quite a list of all very small things lately.
I've fitted the door mirror, the heater and air inlet trunking, adjusted a few things, and this evening I actually lowered the hood and fitted the tonneau cover for the first time!
A couple more showing the freshened up front gubbins.
The second photo shows clearly how the front spring seat is lowered with those spacers.
You can also see that it's nowhere near a concourse restoration or anything, but I will still tidy some stuff up under there, like the underseal on the chassis rails, the paint on the engine etc.
I'm still unsure what I'm going to do with the wheels.
Part of me wants to get the original Rostyles blasted and repainted, but I'm also tempted to get some nice shiny Minilights or something...
Anyway, it's booked in for an M.O.T. in the morning!
I have got better photos on my phone but the files are too big and I don't know how to re-size them!
I've fitted the door mirror, the heater and air inlet trunking, adjusted a few things, and this evening I actually lowered the hood and fitted the tonneau cover for the first time!
A couple more showing the freshened up front gubbins.
The second photo shows clearly how the front spring seat is lowered with those spacers.
You can also see that it's nowhere near a concourse restoration or anything, but I will still tidy some stuff up under there, like the underseal on the chassis rails, the paint on the engine etc.
I'm still unsure what I'm going to do with the wheels.
Part of me wants to get the original Rostyles blasted and repainted, but I'm also tempted to get some nice shiny Minilights or something...
Anyway, it's booked in for an M.O.T. in the morning!
I have got better photos on my phone but the files are too big and I don't know how to re-size them!
Edited by Martin350 on Saturday 3rd August 00:23
Thanks!
A mate of mine came round, he's 6'1", he couldn't get in the driver's seat either, but he did just about manage to get in the passenger side to go for a spin.
Another mate is keen to go out in it, but he's 6'4"!
It's not finished, there's still plenty to do, but at least I can drive it and enjoy it now, and sort out the cosmetics as and when.
A mate of mine came round, he's 6'1", he couldn't get in the driver's seat either, but he did just about manage to get in the passenger side to go for a spin.
Another mate is keen to go out in it, but he's 6'4"!
It's not finished, there's still plenty to do, but at least I can drive it and enjoy it now, and sort out the cosmetics as and when.
Thanks all!
Sticks, yours looks great with the chrome, it is tempting, seeing that!
Mine is now with a good friend having some paintwork, dent removal and a machine polish.
He did a bit on the boot lid today, and the transformation was incredible!
He said it was easy for him to get a brilliant finish because it's old cellulose paint and it's softer, so easier to polish.
It should be looking super shiny next week!
Sticks, yours looks great with the chrome, it is tempting, seeing that!
Mine is now with a good friend having some paintwork, dent removal and a machine polish.
He did a bit on the boot lid today, and the transformation was incredible!
He said it was easy for him to get a brilliant finish because it's old cellulose paint and it's softer, so easier to polish.
It should be looking super shiny next week!
Edited by Martin350 on Sunday 4th August 22:02
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!
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!
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!
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!
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff