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MG Midget and Sprite General - Steering wheel & Dash

Hi all
Just some opinions really off you pros as I'm only a newcomer.
I have a 1978 pageant blue 1500 midget with ochre interior (G-AN6) do I keep the original steering wheel which is looking a bit tatty or change for a nice wooden moto lita? Also thinking about buying a walnut dash. Or once again do I keep it original?
I know it's a matter of personal preference really but just keen on hearing your expert views.
Would it look right with walnut dash and wooden steering wheel?
It's a lovely car in exceptional condition, especially the bodywork. Interior looking a little tired though only natural I suppose after 33 years. Drivers seat has bad tear in vinyl. Once again I am thinking of replacing the seats with leather ones eventually.
Looking forward to your comments guys.
Regards
Stu
Sr Guest

Considering the value of the car is not too great and changing the dash and steering wheel to something far more attractive I would highly recommend doing such a thing.

However having done such a mod 20+ years ago here is just one word of warning

The lacquer has flaked off my steering wheel and the dash has long gone after the heat and sunshine peeled off the laminate.

But it did look great for about 10 years. :)
Bob Turbo Midget England

Hi Stu
You DID ask for opinions, so here's my sixpen'orth
My Midget is a '67, and early GAN4 with pos earth. It has the original 12CC engine and gearbox and most of the original body. I bought it in 1975 and when I took it all apart in 1979 I boxed it up. When I put it all back together again I put as much of the original fabric back as was safe to do so. It is 43 years old so has a torn seat. I do not intend to replace it becasue then it will no longer be a 43 year old seat and that's what I want. In other words it's entirely up to you to do what you like with YOUR car!
The important thing is that you DRIVE it and ENJOY it!
David Cox

why worry about originality if you're thinking of a wooden dash

it sounds like you prefer to change the car which is fine, so do get it the way you want so that you will enjoy it

cosmetics should realy come last unless the car is fully stripped down
Nigel Atkins

Thanks all for that. Bob and Dave thank you, your comments made a lot of sense.
Who do you most recommend for parts of any description? Mainly cosmetic though as engine and body sound. I've got a moss-Europe catalogue and an mgoc one. I've been told moss are the best for quality.
Stu
Sr Guest

Stu: beware of imported "parts" made of material resembling over-ripe Brie on a hot July afternoon. Bits that should be able to take a few turns end up looking like a rubber band. Nuts with little land that look like they have their threads ripped out at half the torque they are supposed to bear.
caveat emptor, as they say!
David Cox

Stu,
parts - most suppliers get parts from same sources so it depends on which batch of stock they're selling at the time to which is best

MGOC do commission some parts manufacture

most Spridget owners want parts as cheap as possible as they hardly ever use their cars

for some remade original it's Ashley Hinton (advertises on here)

as you said your new to classics (I've got 20 years experience) so I'll give you my usual advice -

Buy an owners Handbook as it tells you so much you need to know as to own, drive, service and maintain your car - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue_Handbooks_5.html

Always have the battery in good condition and all battery connections and leads clean, secure and protected, same for all electrical wiring and connections

As soon as possible after purchase do a full and proper 36,000 miles service only miss out items that you have 100% proof have already been done very recently, including;
g/box and back axle oils
brake and clutch fluids
coolant
dissy cap, rotor arm and leads (buy good quality ones) - http://www.distributordoctor.com/rotor_arms.html
fan belt

For a coolant change drain the whole system - engine block, rad and heater matrix if you can get any of these out to give them a good shake at the same time as flushing and back flushing then all the better - the sequence is use cleaner as per its instructions then flush, back flush and flush and continue this until water runs clear, refill with the correct coolant mixture but bear in mind in tap water isn’t always the best water to use

As new rubber cooling hoses tend to be poor quality now this is also a good chance to change them to silicone and rounded-edge clips - http://www.classicsiliconehoses.com/

Be aware that brand new parts can sometimes be faulty, especially electrical bits (see just above) so don’t discount them when problem solving just because they are new, buy good quality parts

Check the age of your tyres if they are 6 years old or more replace ASAP regardless of tread depth, this will improve the braking, steering, ride, handling and possibly noise and safety of the car greatly

Use the car regularly - to get used to it, sort out any wrinkles and prevent the problems that occur with lack of use, and to enjoy it

Every few weeks check your horn, wipers and all switches work and heater valve turns on and off (all no problem if you use the car regularly)

Follow regular checks, servicing and maintenance as per owners Handbook

Drive in all weathers, the Midget hood should be very watertight if fitted correctly and the heater is more than adequate, if working correctly, for the small cabin

Do not do any cosmetic or improvement work for at least 12 months of regular use, unless you need to replace parts or components, as you may need to use the money elsewhere on the car

Also very useful, you can get suppliers catalogues for free to get you started to see where things go but in my personal opinion they’re not as good as a paper copy like - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue_Parts_Lists_3.html

Cheers, enjoy your car
Nigel Atkins

Look around for parts - speak to the people selling the parts - if they don't know what they are and where they come from - DO NOT BUY FROM THEM!

It's YOUR car - do whatever YOU want to it - but, if you are thinking of selling it and getting another one, do it before you do too many changes. Having spent a few days on E-bay looking at Midgets in despair, I have to say that alot of them are spoilt by bad work on conversions and modifications, and are now worth less than they were before they were hacked about!

PS - I have never had a problem with only checking my horn every few weeks - with some of the idiots out there - I check it daily - in whatever car I'm driving ....!!!
rachmacb

Personal opinion. Walnut dashs and wheels look all wrong on Midgets an Bs. I love the crackle black with a leather mota-lita. Walnut smacks of luxury, crackle black is sporty.
R Fowler

For parts, you could try Midland Sports and Classics at Droitwich http://www.midlandsportsandclassics.co.uk/

They source a lot of parts themselves and they even supply Moss, I believe.

They are also cheaper than Moss on a number of items.

As for wooden dash and steering wheel, not my cup of tea, so it is purely down to personal preference.
Dave O'Neill 2

This thread was discussed on 19/05/2011

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