MG specialists Gloucestershire
Discussion
Hello folks,
My partner is likely to be inheriting a late 70s Midget 1500 in the next few months - long story around the "likely" but assuming no massive family feuds she'll become its custodian. It was her late father's, and the memory of going on road trips together in it, is very dear to her.
He used to cover 2-3000 miles per year in it and maintained it meticulously, but didn't care too much for aesthetics; so bodily it's scruffy but mechanically it was in fine fettle when he sadly and unexpectedly passed away in December.
Neither of us being particularly time-rich or competent with the spanners, she'd like to send it to a specialist for a good once-over, sort out any things that need sorting etc. It's likely then to be stored in a lockup and used in dry weather as a third car for us.
Questions:
1) Is there a go-to MG specialist in Gloucestershire which you lot would recommend?
2) If you were non-mechanically minded and wanted a Midget which was at least quite likely to start and work after being stored for a few months; what modifications would you make? Are a set of obvious things to do like fitting fuel injection, to give it a chance of starting on the key? Or is that an unreasonable thing to expect?
Cheers in advance.
My partner is likely to be inheriting a late 70s Midget 1500 in the next few months - long story around the "likely" but assuming no massive family feuds she'll become its custodian. It was her late father's, and the memory of going on road trips together in it, is very dear to her.
He used to cover 2-3000 miles per year in it and maintained it meticulously, but didn't care too much for aesthetics; so bodily it's scruffy but mechanically it was in fine fettle when he sadly and unexpectedly passed away in December.
Neither of us being particularly time-rich or competent with the spanners, she'd like to send it to a specialist for a good once-over, sort out any things that need sorting etc. It's likely then to be stored in a lockup and used in dry weather as a third car for us.
Questions:
1) Is there a go-to MG specialist in Gloucestershire which you lot would recommend?
2) If you were non-mechanically minded and wanted a Midget which was at least quite likely to start and work after being stored for a few months; what modifications would you make? Are a set of obvious things to do like fitting fuel injection, to give it a chance of starting on the key? Or is that an unreasonable thing to expect?
Cheers in advance.
There is an MG garage in Yate, South Gloucestershire that will do (good) work for you, but its not cheap - they charge modern garage prices not 1970s prices. http://www.bristolmgworkshop.com/contact.html
Older cars such as the 1500 Midget need a lot more maintenance than a modern. Back in the day the owner was expected to do some of the routine maintenance tasks themselves. Get a Haynes manual for the car, and if you can find one an original owners hand book. Doing the basic maintenance isnt difficult and getting to know the car, its foibles, and having the satisfaction of looking after it is part of the charm of classic car ownership.
I bought a non running rust bucket 1975 1500 Midget 3 years ago and have just finished restoring it, so I know my way around the car. One of the biggest problems you will face is rust, and paying someone to fix it gets expensive. The mechanical bits are very simple and doable at home. There are various upgrades you can do to make the car more reliable, electronic ignition for example which is simple to install. like most cars they dont like sitting around doing nothing, driven regularly is best.
I live in Thornbury South Gloucestershire so I may be able to help you? I'm also a member of the Midget and Sprite club which has lots of friendly and knowledgeable owners.
Older cars such as the 1500 Midget need a lot more maintenance than a modern. Back in the day the owner was expected to do some of the routine maintenance tasks themselves. Get a Haynes manual for the car, and if you can find one an original owners hand book. Doing the basic maintenance isnt difficult and getting to know the car, its foibles, and having the satisfaction of looking after it is part of the charm of classic car ownership.
I bought a non running rust bucket 1975 1500 Midget 3 years ago and have just finished restoring it, so I know my way around the car. One of the biggest problems you will face is rust, and paying someone to fix it gets expensive. The mechanical bits are very simple and doable at home. There are various upgrades you can do to make the car more reliable, electronic ignition for example which is simple to install. like most cars they dont like sitting around doing nothing, driven regularly is best.
I live in Thornbury South Gloucestershire so I may be able to help you? I'm also a member of the Midget and Sprite club which has lots of friendly and knowledgeable owners.
Edited by ChrisMadge on Wednesday 27th May 08:34
Edited by ChrisMadge on Wednesday 27th May 08:36
Edited by ChrisMadge on Wednesday 27th May 08:38
Edited by ChrisMadge on Wednesday 27th May 10:27
Thank you Chris! Appreciate the post, and the offer of help/advice - may well take you up on that once the car arrives.
This is just the sort of recommendation I was after. I've got no issue paying higher prices for quality, sympathetic work - people have got a living to earn - as long as the prices aren't at "piss take" level, I'd be fine with that.
We're in Cheltenham so just up the M5 - Yate is no biggie.
This is just the sort of recommendation I was after. I've got no issue paying higher prices for quality, sympathetic work - people have got a living to earn - as long as the prices aren't at "piss take" level, I'd be fine with that.
We're in Cheltenham so just up the M5 - Yate is no biggie.
Usget said:
what modifications would you make? Are a set of obvious things to do like fitting fuel injection, to give it a chance of starting on the key? Or is that an unreasonable thing to expect?
EFI is possible but not for the faint hearted...check out this and follow on vids https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JC1TdKYnlM
Malcolm is also down your way and if you want to have a look I'm sure he'll be happy to talk you through his mods.
That's cool! But far too much homebrew for what we'd want. He obviously really knows his stuff, in spite of the disclaimer at the start of the video. When I mentioned EFI it was in the vain hope that this might be a fairly standard upgrade path and that someone might have produced a bolt-on system. As mentioned above, electronic ignition might be a good first step.
I've subscribed to the channel though, will be interesting to see how it progresses.
I've subscribed to the channel though, will be interesting to see how it progresses.
ChrisMadge said:
There is an MG garage in Yate, South Gloucestershire that will do (good) work for you, but its not cheap - they charge modern garage prices not 1970s prices. http://www.bristolmgworkshop.com/contact.html
Just to follow up on this thread - the car is booked in with these folks towards the end of August. Couldn't have been more helpful on the phone. They may also help with trailering the car. So far so good - thanks for the recommendation!ChrisMadge said:
There is an MG garage in Yate, South Gloucestershire that will do (good) work for you, but its not cheap - they charge modern garage prices not 1970s prices. http://www.bristolmgworkshop.com/contact.html
Older cars such as the 1500 Midget need a lot more maintenance than a modern. Back in the day the owner was expected to do some of the routine maintenance tasks themselves. Get a Haynes manual for the car, and if you can find one an original owners hand book. Doing the basic maintenance isnt difficult and getting to know the car, its foibles, and having the satisfaction of looking after it is part of the charm of classic car ownership.
I bought a non running rust bucket 1975 1500 Midget 3 years ago and have just finished restoring it, so I know my way around the car. One of the biggest problems you will face is rust, and paying someone to fix it gets expensive. The mechanical bits are very simple and doable at home. There are various upgrades you can do to make the car more reliable, electronic ignition for example which is simple to install. like most cars they dont like sitting around doing nothing, driven regularly is best.
I live in Thornbury South Gloucestershire so I may be able to help you? I'm also a member of the Midget and Sprite club which has lots of friendly and knowledgeable owners.
I was a big Midget person in my Yoof and got through a couple of 1972 RWA's and a 1980 1500 before I finished Uni in the early 1990's. I now live in Thornbury and have seen your car around a few times while out walking so if you see a bald skinny bloke looking at your car as you drive by - give me a wave it looks/sounds good. Nice to see a 1500 without bumpers rather than another chrome bumper conversion.Older cars such as the 1500 Midget need a lot more maintenance than a modern. Back in the day the owner was expected to do some of the routine maintenance tasks themselves. Get a Haynes manual for the car, and if you can find one an original owners hand book. Doing the basic maintenance isnt difficult and getting to know the car, its foibles, and having the satisfaction of looking after it is part of the charm of classic car ownership.
I bought a non running rust bucket 1975 1500 Midget 3 years ago and have just finished restoring it, so I know my way around the car. One of the biggest problems you will face is rust, and paying someone to fix it gets expensive. The mechanical bits are very simple and doable at home. There are various upgrades you can do to make the car more reliable, electronic ignition for example which is simple to install. like most cars they dont like sitting around doing nothing, driven regularly is best.
I live in Thornbury South Gloucestershire so I may be able to help you? I'm also a member of the Midget and Sprite club which has lots of friendly and knowledgeable owners.
Edited by ChrisMadge on Wednesday 27th May 08:34
Edited by ChrisMadge on Wednesday 27th May 08:36
Edited by ChrisMadge on Wednesday 27th May 08:38
Edited by ChrisMadge on Wednesday 27th May 10:27
I may end up with another Midget at some point as every time I see one I hit the classifieds.
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