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MG Midget and Sprite General - are replica glass bonnets the devils work?

I've been getting a bit of a response to a reqest about Hopkirk's Jacobs Midget that he raced in ethe Targa Florio on another thread. Thought it had changed into something more appropriate for a new thread...

I would be very interested in having a set of replica glassfibre panels so that I could build a replica Jacobs. I should add that I'm planning on fitting an Archers Sebring bonnet to my 1500 this autumn. I see this as a way of continuing the interest in these often quirky and occasionally beautiful aftermarket modifications.

I think all this is fine as long as nobody is trying to pass of a replica/continuation as a real racecar with historic pedigree.

What is original anyway? I think it's the history of the car, not that the plastic was laid up in the sixties. these things are not museum pieces. I brought an original (60s vintage) Lenham bonnet last year. This poor piece of plastic was so star-crazed, dented, bodged up and broken that to repair it would have been near impossible. Why would doing that have been more original than simply fitting a new panel?

What is it they say in America "this is Abraham Lincoln's original axe - the head has only been replaced three times and the handle just four".

Tim
t halket

For the record - the 1500 has a perfectly good fibreglass bonnet option ...!!!!!!

As for the changing to fibreglass, it was actually introduced those years ago as a cheap alternative to the original, for those who couldn't afford to repair their cars at the time.

Does that make it right or wrong - heck no - it's your car - do whatever you want ..... however, as I said on the other thread - it depends on the front, if it's a standard race one, then fine - if it's a replica Jacobs, then you get the copy - but not the balls .... just like any other clone!
rachmacb

"I think all this is fine as long as nobody is trying to pass of a replica/continuation as a real racecar with historic pedigree"

Now that is the problem!!
That is what is and will happen as we all have seen with the new ashley's

Though I love the look of the ashley or sebering replica's they are not what they apear to be.

For the same reason I don't like ruberbumper cars converted to chrome.

But than agian every one can do as they please.
This is just my filosofy and I only can and WANT to control my own midget
Onno Könemann

A slight digression on passing a replica off as an original.

I was at a car show once, in the UK, where a clearly knowledgeable American visitor was explaining to his friend, while pointing to an AC Cobra, that there were lots of Replica Cobra's this was the real thing. He then asked the owner of the original AC Cobra to open the hood. The owner somewhat sheepisly had to inform the American that his car was not a genuine AC Cobra and the hood was opened to reveal a 2000cc Ford Pinto engine.
Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

Tim, beware they are indeed made by the Devil himself. If you dare go down this forbidden path be prepared to be temped to install all sorts of go fast goodies on the lump or either change it out for a K series or some other high horsepower engine. A truely dangerous slope to get on.
Really I see nothing wrong with replacement panels that were created yesterday. Most of the restored original race cars running these days have newly beaten panels to replace damaged originals. What't the difference in those planels being steel, aluminum, or fiberglass? Build your replica as you want, and if some boob wants to think it's the original that's his problem as long as you don't try to sell it on as such.
B Young

Tim,
While Abraham Lincoln was the "rail-splitter", it was George Washington who had the story made up about him and the cherry tree, and it is his hatchet that the line you used referred to. Still a good line ;-)

I agree that it would be evil to build up a replica of a Jacobs Midget and try to sell it for silly money as if it were one of the three. OTOH, as a tribute car, I see no problem. The Jacobs cars looked good in the photos I have seen (why hasn't anyone taken some pictures of them and submitted them for the calendar???) and I can readily understand someone re-creating the look (as opposed to building another Arkely).
David "the times they are a-changing" Lieb
David Lieb

And then this morning up for sale on ebay is a rather lovely Sebring Sprite. £79,950.

If I had the money I might, but I don't, so I can't.

Tim

t halket

Again????
rachmacb

Rach, are you implying that I'm repeating myself...or that the car has been for sale previously?

Tim
t halket

EAO is a gorgeous car

Wish I could afford it myself

go on, you know you want to
Bill 1

LOL nope Tim, not repeating yourself.

Just think, IF you bought that, you'd be able to compete in Anglia events ..... and, perhaps even, you might let someone else drive it ;) (Hence the brown nose comment above :)!!!!)
rachmacb

"The devil's hands make idle playthings" - Philip J. Fry



Norm
Norm Kerr

David

Do you want a photo for next years calendar?

The car will be at Midget50 so that can be arranged but I thought your calendar was just USA cars?
rachmacb

This thread was discussed between 08/03/2011 and 10/03/2011

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