British-Cars.org

Welcome to the DMR Site for British Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite General - Just bought a 1964 MG midget

Hi All,

You may all remember my post sometime last week, about getting a midget. Well I've only gone and done it.

She's a 1964 Mk11 midget in red with a big bearing 1098, has a years MoT but needs a little bit of fettling.

I'm picking her up next weekend and what i really need to know is how to put the hood on, it looks very complicated.

I will put some pics up when I get her home.


Cheers,

Will
W Armston-Sheret

Will,
I have a MkII. The hood is quite simple to erect. First you need to join the two part frame together and locate the frame in the tubes attached to the inner rear wing (at rear of seats). Make sue you have the frame the right way round.
At the rear of the hood there is a metal bar in the material below where the rear window is. You need to hook this bar under the two cleats fixed to the rear deck of the car. Erect the hood over the frame and attach the header rail clips to the top of the screen. Attach all the poppers around the outside of the hood to the bodywork. Also attach the two flaps using the poppers to the top of the screen uprights. Then tension the frame by straightening the folding mechanism of the frame inside the cockpit. Hey presto the hood is up. Or otherwise ask the seller to demonstrate it to you!!!!!!!
Neil K

Thanks Neil,

The seller didn't have a clue how to erect it, it was a brand new hood and had never been on, How can you tell which way round the hood frame goes ? I'm right in thinking there are 2 bars one bigger than the other, which one goes where ?

W Armston-Sheret

The frame should point forward.
Fit it like that the pull both bows fwd and down as mutch as possible.
Lay the top over the frame hook the metal strip under the hooks on the rear deck.
Get in the car and clip the header rail to the wind screen and pop the 2 top strips to the windscreen.
Get out and pull the b pillar of the top down and fit the inner twist thingys
Fix the 2 tenax and 2 push butons.
Go in side and push the rear bow back as far as possible to put the hood up tight.

Please do get an owners manual for the mkII as the folding of the hood is also important to do right.
But hard to explane in text and the manual has picures

Now i almost sound as Nigel ;)
Onno Könemann

Talking of Nidel, he doesn't seem to have been here for a while.
Dave O'Neill 2

IIRC when the frame unfolds it goes forwards towards the screen
David Smith

Hi Dave,
I've been in Wales with a well serviced, maintained and repaired Midget allowing me to blast over the mountain passes :)

Hi Will, welcome
if you want to you can add your first name and car profile to your post header to help with identifying you and your car at each post just click Customise on top line menu of this page

yeap I thoroughly recommend getting an appropriate (paper) copy of the (owners) Driver's Handbook even before looking for the car - as you've already found many owners need to know more about the cars they own to run and keep them properly

unfortunately not so easy for a Mk2 but I've just checked it is on the DVD along with (factory) Parts Catalogues and (factory) Workshop Manual for Mk3 but will cover most of the Mk2 as well - http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-HMCC3009DVD?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=feed (other retailers are available)

I also thoroughly recommend you carry out as soon as possible a 36,000 mile service and change your tyres regardless of tread depth if they are much more than6 years old

I wont go on (much to the relief of others) but if you want a Zip file of general notes I have then just email me
nigel atkins (one word) at bt internet (one word) dot com
Nigel At

Thanks for that, I am sure I will be able to work it out with your information. Thanks all.

The midget (yet to be named) is missing the chrome trim on the bonnet. Is this hard to get hold off and fit ?

I also need a new speedo( the current one is in KPH ) and possibly a new Rev counter (neither of these currently work) are these specific to the 1098 models ?

Thanks All,

Will
W Armston-Sheret

also is the tonneau specific too the Mk2 midgets ?

W Armston-Sheret

Parts Catalogue and Terry Horler's book will give information on what's on 1098 Mk2s

- http://www.amazon.co.uk/Original-Sprite-Midget-Restorers-Austin-Healey/dp/1906133336/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1316443363&sr=1-1

bonnet strip is often left off to prevent rusting under it

I would guess the tonneau is the same as MK1 and until the pack away hood was replaced with drop roof

the rev counter and speedo may be easy to get working again

IIRC your speedo needs to be marked up with 30 mph for MOT - this can be stenciled on
Nigel At

Toneau is MKII specific.
IIRC the bonet strip is available new
but I am no fan of new chrome and with some help from the good old USA managed to find an old one for my mkII.
So check ebay etc as they do pop up
Onno Könemann

Thanks chaps, how is the bonnet strip fastened ? is there a way too stop rusting underneath it ?

Cheers,

Will
W Armston-Sheret

Anyway here are some pictures of the car :

W Armston-Sheret

Do you have the holes in the bonnet already?
If not then why add the strip?

IIRC the strip attaches by means of holes in the bonnet, if they are not there you would have to locate them correctly and then drill.
Not something for the squeamish.

I just drilled a 5/8 inch hole in the bonnet of my Froggy Midget and it was difficult touching drill bit to paint. I had to drill a hole in order to install the NOS Arial / Fender Mirror I won at silent auction during the US Midget 50th.
Rick Bastedo

No the holes seem to have been left of after the last restoration, it might be easier just to leave it off.
W Armston-Sheret

There is no way I would drill holes for the chrome strip on a good bonnet, unless of course you are intending to go for concours awards.
Mike Howlett

You could stick it on using no more nails or similar. Seriously that stuff can stick a lot of things.

But I always thought the thing that made midgets look less appealing, was all the tinny looking chrome trim. Sorry Midget owners, but the simple lines of the Sprite look better. IMO :).

So I would leave it off, the car looks good as it is, with an nice expanse of unblemished ?orange? bonnet. :)

Nice colour anyway :)
Lawrence Slater

I'd call the colour Ferrari red :) .

I think I will leave the bonnet well alone, the steaks are just too high.

Unlike most other cars I've bought there isn't a huge list of things that need replacing. the only real jobs on the cards are to get a new speedo(one that reads in MPH) and to get that and the rev counter working. I'm also going to sort out a couple of Imperfections in the paint, so I want to get some matched up. The to buy a tonneau but that's just a luxury really :P

Cheers,

Will
W Armston-Sheret

Usually a simple straightforward explanation of how things work helps to make the decision one way or the other...

To me it's like when someone wishes for a "Ménage ŕ trois".
A simple explanation of how things would work either totally turns them away or not. Not many are left sitting on the fence.

If you REALLY wanted the strip then drilling a few holes wouldn't deter you. Otherwise you ask yourself why you ever thought about it in the first place!

:)
Rick Bastedo

I'd like to do it because in my opinion it looks better, however I'm not very keen on drilling holes into a perfectly good bonnet. So for now I'll leave it off.
W Armston-Sheret

Hi WIll

The frame goes on as in the picture.

As mentioned before put the back on first, then the side fasteners, over the frame and then as a haynes manual would say "Simply fasten the clips".

Enjoy

Tony Brough

Hi Will

If you worry about original appearance you also need to change the boot logo to the loose octagon and letters with the word midget below it.

The strip is just bolted through the bonet.
Just use plenty of waxoil when you drill the holes and mount the strip and you can prevent rust.
Onno Könemann

Thanks for the help with the hood, I now feel confident to fit that for the journey home.

I'm not that worried about the appearance, but I do rather like the strip on the bonnet. I guess I'll sort the whole car out before making any improvements.
W Armston-Sheret

It sounds like you really want the strip, so instead of drilling any holes, you can attach the strip with the same 3M acrylic foam tape used to hold on moldings to modern cars

I fitted the "Austin" name plate on the boot of my mini with little pieces of that tape cut and attached to the back of the "script" of the lettering (only about 1/8" wide).

After attaching it, its been through several years of use and has shown no signs of coming off until I am ready for it to (with a heat gun). No scratches, no holes!


you can see it to the left of the license plate in this photo. You can also see the reason why I didn't want to make any holes, because I fitted it in a non-OEM orientation just because I liked the look of it there (it looks more "jaunty" tilted on an angle, and few Amuricans even know what kind of a car it is, not to mention whether the label is on funny!).


Norm

Norm Kerr

These guys produce what appaears to be a properly made bonnet strip...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MG-MIDGET-BONNET-MOULDING-part-no-14A7074-/320740634604?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4aada1afec
Dave O'Neill 2

That 3M acrylic foam tape sounds brilliant, thanks!

Looks like I might have too get that chrome strip and give it a go. The list of Items I need to buy is getting longer and longer I've just remembered that the petrol tank looked pretty ropey. :(

Cheers,

Will
W Armston-Sheret

Norm,

Nice Mini.

Is that your personal gargage then? :), it's bigger than my house. :P
Lawrence Slater

Does it lean to the driver's side when viewed from the rear? Do the front indicator/side lights line up with each other?
Adrian Jones

Hi Lawrence,

not my house! It is a classic car storage facility in Ypsilanti, Michigan that hosts an open house gathering every 1st saturday of the month. The car in front of me is a Roller, next to it is an Amazon, beside me is a B, and behind the photographer is a 1938 BMW, and beside that is a 250 Ferrari. Just a typical day, really. :)


Norm
Norm Kerr

Norm,
It somehow doesn't look like a normal photo - more like a detailed quality acrylic painting ! Unusual effect
Guy

Hi adrian, I presume that question was directed at me. I'm not sure if the indicators line up, she didn't seem to lean at all.

Why ?


Will
W Armston-Sheret

I'd also like to get an original steering wheel, how hard are these to get hold off ?

Cheers,

Will
W Armston-Sheret

hi Guy,

(sorry about the thread hijack, Will!)

The photo was retouched by a (I think Adobe) software that does that effect called, "Topaz" or "Topaz Clarity". The photographer did it before sending the photo to me, and it does make a very interesting effect, doesn't it?

This front view adds nothing to Will's topic, but does nicely show off the "Learner's" L on the bonnet (and the effect of a very wide angle lens).

Anyone recognize the numbers on the phony UK plate on the front? (Hint: it was a product promotion)


Norm

Norm Kerr

ah the Rover 800 - was that the Sterling in the USA Norm?
David Smith

Will, I'd make the tonneau a priority, rather than a luxury - it's a lot easier to get on than the roof when you want to cover the car either to keep eyes out or water off. You can drive with the tonneau covering the passenger side which keeps a lot of warm air in when its cold, and if you go a long trip and have a lot of gear, the tonneau can just cover the rear parcel shelf area and it basically gives you a handy second boot area and stops stuff blowing away.

My wife and I have got one of each (mk2 Midget mk3 Sprite) and one of their main pleasures is the clean line without the later hood frame.

If it starts raining just keep driving (over 40mph the rain will just go over your head) until you can find a handy petrol station or bridge to stop under as the roof does take a few minutes to put up, which is its downside.

Having said that, once the roof is on, its very snug and imho (having driven other models of spridget) it is more watertight than the later pram frame style hoods. It's just the time it take for the car to get soaked while you're putting it on that's the problem!

Mothy - '65 GAN3 and '65 HAN8

you get almost as wet with the later hood by the time you've took the hood cover off

as said keep going if you can maintain above 40 mph

both my pram style hoods have been very water tight despite the present one being a cheap make and not that well fitted

you need a MK1 or 2 MX-5 for a really simple and fast hood, if you're tall enogh you can put them up from the seats in a few seconds
Nigel At

Will,

Congrat's! Your MkII Midget looks great!

Along with the MkIII Sprite, it's a much over-looked model; as Tim (Mothy) says, it has the cleaner lines carried through from the earlier MkI Midget/MkII Sprite, but with the added benefit/comfort of wind-up windows and a more 'modern' interior.

The best thing about the MkII Midget though, is its free-revving 1098cc engine - a far better unit than the later 1275cc IMHO!

Here's my much missed MkII Midget - 101 XKX - that I owned a while back in the late '80s/early '90s (up until I bought it, a 'one owner from new' example).

Enjoy your new car!

Jonathan

J Whitehouse-Bird

Hi Jonathon a lovely looking car I like the Ace wheel trims, does the car still exsist and look that good, my old MGA had those same trims from new


gordon

g c pugh

Jonathan,
that car looks good enough to feature in a quality book and on it's cover :)
Nigel At

Gordon,

When I sold the car in the early '90s I hadn't used it for quite some time, so couldn't justify keeping it - the wife said I had too many cars!! (I also wanted some cash, as I had just embarked on EAO's restoration!).

Consequently, it wasn't taxed or M.O.T.'d, so had to be trailered to Aston Garage, near Stone, Stafford for the 'Original Sprite & Midget' book photo session.

The chap who bought 'XKX' completely dismantled it, repainted the shell and put the whole thing back together again. I heard later that he was trying to sell for around Ł9K (late '90s).

I've no idea where the car is now and haven't seen it since selling (didn't spot it at either Spridget 50 or Midget 50).

Love your MGA!

Jonathan
J Whitehouse-Bird

re. David Smith: Bingo!



Norm
Norm Kerr

Nigel,

A couple of candid shots from the 'Original Sprite & Midget' photo session day. This first one shows a much younger me chatting with the photographer - John Colley, while he sets up a shot of XKX's interior...

J Whitehouse-Bird

The second shot - all loaded up and ready for the off! The Renault Espace (MkI) belonged to a work colleague who kindly offered to tow XKX over to Stone, Stafford. Sadly, Aston Garage was modernised a couple of years after our visit and no longer features the period fuel pumps :o(

Jonathan

J Whitehouse-Bird

Jonathan
now you hit a soft spot for me

The MKI Espace!
You don't see many of those around anymore but I love it
Onno Könemann

Jonathan,
thanks for those photos, they look so period now which only adds to their interest
Nigel At

This thread was discussed between 19/09/2011 and 25/09/2011

MG Midget and Sprite General index

This thread is from the archives. Join this live forum now