MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG 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 Technical - Another question about my ruined body! Doh!

Hi Guys,

Before I start... I'm afraid I sense this is going to be a bit of a rambling post. My apologies!

I hope all you kind and wise gurus of midgeting are well. I haven't been at home for the past 5 weekends due to holidays, wedding using wedding cars sevenoakss and more weddings so progress on my wreck has died a death! A large bit of progress is imminent however...

The problem is this... I have/am replacing the footwell top and front and all the triangular support structure and wheel arch on the passenger side. Once the replacement panels are in what I am fairly confident is the correct position I have tried to fit the front radiator/grille panel thingy and I cant get things to line up for toffee! Even if I take off the panels and try to match them up off the car they don't seem to match at all.

Now... looking at peoples restoration photos I notice they dont have the extra flappy bit circled in red in my picture. What does it do? (This is a rubber bumper car originally but I'm not going to keep it that way, sorry Rach!) Can I just chop it off roughly at the blue line. (I am going to chop it off cos its doing my nut! ha ha).

This photo was taken about 3 months ago now, so yes, the panel isn't actually in the right place ready to be welded up, I don't have a more recent photo to hand.

Hope this makes sense, thanks for listening to my ramblings and for your help!

Malcolm


M Le Chevalier

ADDENDUM...

Third picture down on this site shows a heritage rubber bumper body (note the different front cross member for the 1500 engine) and that doesnt have this bit.

Right, thats it decided. I'm chopping it off :-D

Cheers,
Malcolm
M Le Chevalier

Lol you really want to know quite how much one can cut off - stop being a wimp man and get the metal saw out!

Will people STOP thinking I have a problem with rubber bumpers - my problem is people either not doing it properly or trying to make it something it's not. Anyone who reads any of the posts in which I mention my car might also notice that I also mention that it weighs less than a standard rwa one - but maintains the body shape of what it is - a 1500! I just have more imagination than some other people!!!!!!
rachmacb

Sorry Rach, just teasing, no offence meant!

I have a twitchy grinder trigger finger now, bit late to go out and get hacking now tho!

Malcolm
M Le Chevalier

Lol none taken and none given!!!!!

You will find it miles easier if you have a metal saw - takes about two minutes and don't forget the arms in the engine bay up the inner wings can come off too ;)
rachmacb

You mean the arms that hold the bumper on at the front and extend back to the footwell? They were chopped off and I didnt spent the money on buying new ones.

I use a grinder with a 1mm disc, works a treat.

Thanks!
M Le Chevalier

Too many sparks and too much effort for me - but then I was lucky enough to borrow one ...!

The higher ones - I'll see if I have a photo tomorrow for you if you want - gives you an extra few cms space around the engine too.

It's looking good though - way further on :)
rachmacb

yeah, I know what you mean.

"It's looking good though - way further on :)"

As I said, that photo was taken ages ago (March I think, when I bought the panels, sheesh, where did the summer go?!). Will post a better one once these bits are tacked in, but yes, it is coming on for sure! :-)

Cheers,
Malcolm
M Le Chevalier

Malcom,
That front panel (circled red) doesn't look right to me for a Midget. It isn't very clear but there should be a splash panel that bolts in position in front of the inner wing, part 28 in the relevant Moss parts diagram.

The top of the splash panel has a raised, rounded-corner flange that extends up from the rear edge of the slam panel. On yours, this raised flange looks like it is at right angles to the slam panel. It just looks wrong to me.

Guy




Guy

Thats the right repair panel for the 1500, that bit was extended, they didn't have splash panels. Me and my mate cut it out of his 1500 shell.
The extended curvy 1500 chassis rails/bumper mounts were welded to it, ISTR.
Bit odd how it doesn't line up correctly tho.
Tarquin

Hi Matt,
I had a 1500 at one time. I know the splash panel arrangement was different. But what I don't remember is the bit at the top with the rounded-top flange. What does that fit against? It must come up behind the slam panel, but then how does it relate to the outer wing/ inner wing then? ?
Guy

The inner wing is the same as early cars, it doesn't come right to the front of that panel. I have the old valence at work, that we cut out. I'll have a look tomorrow. I think you're right about that flange coming up under the slam panel. Can't quite remember how it went. The valence assembly was welded to the uprights tho I remember that.

You were probably too busy wooing Hazel when you had the 1500 to spend any time inspecting the front panel arrangement :-)
a la Lawrence...
Tarquin

LOL Matt - my wooing days pre-dated the 1500 by a good 10 years! Did you see my e-mail about those boats?
Guy

Guy - it's not actually attached as far as I know, so, that would explain the funny sitting doesn't it? At least, that's how I saw it - coz there was some other slightly slanted bits, that aren't welded yet - or the photographer had his camera at an angle :P!!!!

"This photo was taken about 3 months ago now, so yes, the panel isn't actually in the right place ready to be welded up, I don't have a more recent photo to hand."
rachmacb

This thread was discussed between 09/08/2011 and 10/08/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.