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MG Midget and Sprite General - Midgets for magazine story

I've been commissioned to write a Midget 50th anniversary story by one of the classic car magazines, so I'm looking for cars to feature.

I need a Mk1, Mk2, Mk3 and 1500, all in nice condition and - this is probably the tricky bit - in standard spec, visually at least. We'll need them all in one place for a photo shoot some time in the next 10 days or so. Exact date and location fairly flexible.

If you're interested, or you can put me in touch with someone you think might be, please email me at andrew@pgan.com.

Many thanks
Andrew
Andrew Noakes

Where is the one place that they have to be and is it likely to be a weekday or weekend
Gary & Gaps

Probably a weekday. We'll choose a location when we know where the cars are travelling from.
Andrew Noakes

Shame you didn't come to Midget50 - we had a line up of ALL Midgets - pre-war onwards ......

However, since you weren't able to take this opportunity, - then I would suggest that you contact Roy Locock for the 1500 - after all, a midget that's not only been around the world, but is off for a little trip to South Africa has got to be more exciting than any other .....

I would strongly suggest that, perhaps, you offer to attend MGLive over the weekend, and that way you can get people at a place that they are going to possibly be anyway.
rachmacb

I may be at MG Live to talk to owners but we wouldn't be able to do the shoot there - it's just not possible to do a full photo shoot for a magazine feature in the middle of a show.

Roy Locock's car is interesting, though the mags aren't keen on BRG because it doesn't photograph well...
Andrew Noakes

Oh I really wouldn't worry about that - if you'd seen the photos put up all over the place of Midget50 - you'd notice that it has a ruddy great big map of Africa on the front - which I'm sure would photograph brilliantly - and perhaps inspire some of the readers to get out in their cars too .....

There is a road outside, and I'm sure if you grabbed people - then you can get a re-entry ticket - but, I think that, after all the travelling to Midget50 and now MGLive, would probably preclude some people to take more time out of their schedules for yet another photo shoot .......

Your alternative is to speak to Chris Seaward at MGCC or Julie Neville at the MGOC, and see what they can arrange for you.
rachmacb

Don't think a map of Africa on the front entirely fits my brief for 'standard spec, visually at least'!
Andrew Noakes

Hi this is standard spec still has working vavle radio that was supplied and engine

Keith
K A Smith

I think std meas looking std
So that 1380 in your MKI won't be a problem ;)

Mine does not look std and is far from it
It does look period though
The only problem is the piece of water in between....
Onno Könemann

no disrepect to Andrew but photo shoots that I've know of have started early, lasted a very long day possibly in bad weather in the middle of nowhere with no protection or drink or food and at the car is need for very little of that day but you can't leave

you have been warned

and under no circumstances leave your car unattended or let a journo touch, get near or drive it

you have been warned

that should upset some and not all journo are bad but start with that stance for safety
N Atkins

Sorry forgot the Picture!

Keith

K A Smith

Keith, thats a funny looking midget... :)
Arie de Best

Yes you are right I need to open my eyes or put my glasses on to read the thread

SORRY
K A Smith

>photo shoots that I've know of have started early, lasted
>a very long day possibly in bad weather

We'd be unlikely to start before 10am, and would aim to finish mid-afternoon.

> in the middle of nowhere with no protection or drink
> or food

Journalists have to eat too. We buy sandwiches for everybody.

> the car is need for very little of that day but you can't leave

If somebody has to arrive late or go early, we work around it

> under no circumstances leave your car unattended
> or let a journo touch, get near or drive it

The cars are always fully insured. I've been driving other people's classics for 15 years and never yet had a complaint about how I've driven them.

> that should upset some and not all journo are bad

No they aren't. Some are classic car enthusiasts who understand and empathise with the owners.

Some of them even drive Midgets.
Andrew Noakes

N Atkins has a point... I've worked with TV and Film with vehicles over the years and whilst they WILL respect your property, they can try to get more from the car than you would be comfortable with. 'Use, don't abuse' is what we would always tell them and if they get sh*tty, you have the right to get into your car and leave....

After saying all that, I'm sure that Andrew will have the best intentions at heart and will respect the cars and the owners.

Gone are the days (sadly) when expenses and food etc are offered, so be prepared for a long day and take a flask and pic-nic along with waterproofs and WARM cloths and boots. You could be hanging around for quite a while.

Enjoy.... You'll love it.

Shame GAN101 isn't anywhere nearly done... :-(

Mark.

M T Boldry

Mark

As I said, we'll buy food - AND we'll pay travel expenses.

Of course we can't control the weather so it makes sense for owners to come prepared. But if rain is forecast we'll postpone the shoot anyway, because we can't shoot good pictures in the rain.

TV and film people have no interest in or appreciation of the cars and no need to be kind to either the cars or the owners, because they'll never meet again. And more often than not, they pay for the privilege so they expect you to provide a service - ie to put up with however they treat you and your car.

The specialist magazines and journos aren't like that.

AN
Andrew Noakes

Andrew, well done you and your team...

Good luck and I hope you all have a great day.... I'm now looking forward to the results.... :-)

Mark.
M T Boldry

Hey Mark, did I mis gan 101 at midget 50 or wasnt it there?
Arie de Best

Hi Andrew

You don't seem to be getting much help do you?

I would suggest you contact Dennis Wharf via the MGCC he not only has a very good MK11 but also put on the Display of Midgets at Midget 50 so does know where cars may be found.

I will be speaking with Dennis at great length over this weekend at MGLIVE and will discuss this project with him for you if you can not make it. If you are going to MGLIVE then we could meet there and possibly sort it for you. it is as you have already guessed not an easy task. If you would like a MK111 that has probably more modifications than most then give me a call LOL.

Regards Bob Welch
Bob Turbo Midget England

I'm also a bit surprised at the replies that Andrew has received. My frogeye has been used in a tv programme (Fifth Gear) and a couple of pop videos and I'm really not that worried about it being damaged as most poeople treat it with more respect than I do. I have been on track days before and given other people the keys to hoon it around the track. If my car was suitable (which for dozens of reasons it isn't). I'd let Andrew use it.
Gary & Gaps

I suppose you won't pay travel expenses from Holland....
Onno Könemann

Andrew I wasn’t trying to make things difficult for you, and I’m sure you’ll easily get the cars you want, just putting out a general warning

Andrew my comments were generalisations not aimed at you but to warn of the possible general outcome with even classic and general car jurnos some of whom seem to have very little respect for other peoples cars and often not even their own

You certainly have put more thought in than on some photo shoots and as a classic car and Spridget owner you give more respect to the cars and owners on your shoot

the insurance can be seen by some (bad/idiot) jurnos as the excuse and cover for there mistreatment which isn’t necessarily always revving the nuts off the car or triangulating the tyres

On the other side, some of the car owners that are desperate for a bit of celebrity, if only of their car, tend to be quite prissy about themselves and their cars and may be expecting star treatment rare than the more mundane reality – so the other comments help the jurnos

there that should upset some owners now

I stand by general comments about general jurnos – distrust them until they prove themselves

As Andrew is writing the piece then at least it will be more accurate about the cars than the usual magazine articles
N Atkins

My car was featured in Classic Car magazine many years ago and I had a great time during the photo shoot and test drive. I also received a couple of very nice prints.
So if you have the time on your hands I would recommend it.

Carl
C Bintcliffe

Mine was in a Glossy Dutch classic car magazine last winter(march?)

Didnt get rich from it or even a sandwich but had one month of celebrety-fame in Holland( among classic car-nuts that is).
It was hell for a month, had to drive with the hood up as women would throw in their nickers with their phonenr when I drove by.
I will defenetly think twice before giving into another car article.
LOL!!!

Come on guys, make Andrews life easyer, we dont want him to go to the Triumph camp do we? :)

Arie de Best

"It was hell for a month, had to drive with the hood up as women would throw in their nickers with their phonenr when I drove by."

That's the continuing problem of incontinence in women of a certain age plus looking like the owner of the local dry cleaners.
Gary & Gaps

Gary, I have this great reply about women and wet nickers but it would defenetly get me banned from this bbs and get me on the hitlist of the MG-feminists.
So I have to restrict myself to this politicly corret and innocent reply:


Your just being jealous Gary! :)
Arie de Best

This thread was discussed between 22/06/2011 and 23/06/2011

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