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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Can anyone here have a look at a car in Kettering?

Gents,

You must be getting sick of me now!

I have seen yest another car for sale!

It's a MK1 and I am rather interested, the only problem is that it is in Kettering.

IS there anyone on here who is local to Kettering and would be kind enough to have a look at it on my behalf?

Hope you have all avoided the coughs and flu that's flying round.

Rylan
R Williams

Not telling us which car it is Rylan? Don't be shy :-))

G Williams

It's this one:

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-page/188371/1962-mg-midget/
R Williams

Difficult to tell much from that photo, but I love the original style number plates - Bluemels, possibly?
Dave O'Neill2

I have spoken to the seller and apparently its body work is in excellent condition but would benefit from a respray.

Really want an opinion on it due to the price and the fact it's and early car! It's a shame it is not closer to me :(
R Williams

I *might* be able to take a look.

I travel to Cambridge fairly often, so I pass Kettering on the A14.

I'm not sure when I'll be there next. It was supposed to be Thursday, but I'm now going to be in Leeds.
Dave O'Neill2

If you could Dave that would be fantastic!
R Williams

the phone number given is for the rifle club, D Slater (worrying name!), which is in the sports/leisure park area - car might be there too by the look of all those leaves

numberplate light plinth looks odd in the photo and there's a blanking grommet - car looks interesting in photo
N Atkins

The car does look interesting Nigel.

As you are in Northamptonshire is it anywhere near you?

Rylan
R Williams

If the car has been in that garage and all those leaves can blow in, so to can the damp. Don't be too suprised if there's some minor rot.
Lawrence Slater

Looks like it would be worth looking at - price is obviously aimed at £2k after a bit knocked off.

I would be really interested to see what it's like underneath compared to mine!!

If it's solid my only concern would be that it might be a bit slow being 948cc but that might not worry you. Others will be able to tell more about how they drive. Also it's not got it's original steering wheel which are difficult and expensive to replace - again that might not worry you.

Check if the reg number is transferable, probably is as the plates look original. Just adds value if it's transferable.

If it's solid and the engine runs then it looks like a decent little project to me.
John Payne

<<those leaves can blow in, so to can the damp>>
Unlike you to be so pessimistic Lawrence.
The leaves appear dry suggests that the rain doesn't blow in, and from the quantity of leaves there is good air circulation. Better than stagnant air. Should be good for minimising condensation.

Only other thing I noticed is that I thought the early cars had those half boot lid handles rather than the full T shape. Maybe wrong on that one.
Guy W

lol Guy.

Pessimists expect the worst, I don't, I just consider the worst as a possible scenario. That way I'm not suprised and disappointed.

You're right though, the leaves are dry --- NOW--. Which I have to admit, after all the rain we've had, does suggest a dry garage. --- If that's where it's been for the last "several years", as the ad says.

Lawrence Slater

Have you seen this one Rylan?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271132372276?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Given what you get with it, (excluding the idea of making your own roof), --- it might be worthy of consideration. Depending on the reserve.


Lawrence Slater

John mentions the 948cc engine being a bit slow, and he's right (0 - 60 mph quoted at 19 secs) - also worth considering is the fact of drum brakes all round. Aren't mark 1 Midgets generally expensive as they are pretty rare? £2000 seems cheap to me, which makes me ask "What's wrong with it?". I wonder if it has all the weather equipment including the sidescreens? The rear number plate light does look odd and I wonder if it has been converted to a third brake light.
Mike Howlett

Rylan

I could take a look at that for you, its only about 6 miles from me.

Ian
Ian Webb '73 GAN5

If you could Ian I would be massively indebted to you

Rylan
R Williams

£2000 does seem cheap if it's solid and all there. Depends on what they class as solid!! They describe the chrome as being in excellent condition but that back bumper looks a bit dull to me.

Anyway Rylan, I hope it's a decent car underneath and that you (or someone here) go for it and get it back on the road.
John Payne

Rylan,

yes Kettering is just up the road from me but Ian would know much more than me

take account of what others have here and before

I do feel you need to make it clear how much or little restoration work you are prepared to do any car you get, if you need to pay for work to be done on a car like this it will be expensive

some restorers may think others will want to or be able to do the amount of work they take on and have or want to borrow or buy the tools and facilities required

and often a rolling restoration means a car that isn't fully enjoyable to drive for a very long time

and certainly a car that hasn't been used frequently recently will take a lot of shaking down to get it reliable and enjoyable let along one that needs bodywork or restoration

for you I'd suggest looking at later 1275 cars and not earlier (quarter elliptical, drum brakes, sidescreens, etc.) and 948cc cars

(Mk1 could be 1098cc too)
N Atkins

Rylan
Have you spoken to the vendor ?
I could go and take a look this weekend, maybe Nigel and I could go together, we know each other.
Ian

Ian Webb '73 GAN5

DVLA say it's 948...and the tax ran out mid 2010
Dave O'Neill2

Hi Ian

I have spoken to the vendor about the car.

It is actually owned by his son.

The car has not really been used for about 10 - 15 years as I recall but it has been taxed and tested up to 2010.

He states that the bodywork is in excellent condition, but of course this could be wrong.

It is apparently a 1098 and has been converted to negative earth. Apparently the negative earth conversion has not been done brilliantly (the battery leads are crossed?), I am not sure how bad or well it has been done.

I am not expecting a top condition car for about 2k but if it has a few issues that require fixing then i will have spare cash and time to deal with them before the summer. I am just interested as it's a mk1 at a bargain price (potentially) of course it is caveat emptor!

It needs to be sold by the 30th or a trader will take it off his hands. if it is as good as he says it is then I would like to have it :)

If you could look this weekend that would be fantastic!

Also have you got a email address i could take for your feedback?

Rylan
R Williams

Rylan,
not been used for 10-15 years, bit vague also so long ago that his dad can't remember but tested in 2010 that might be a good sign, depends

don't think it'd be crossed battery leads as you'd just turn the battery around

never understand this getting it ready for summer when the weather isn't as good as other times and for it to run well in summer it has to be running at least the very start of spring (usually at least 12 months frequent use to get it running well and reliably and 36-48 to be certain, ish)

Ian,
I'd be happy to help though I'm not sure what use I'd be useless you want me to distract the dad, or block a draft, or be a door stop

what sort of assessment were you thinking of and how long as dad might want to spend as long as possible to see shot of the car or might be begrudging to spend minutes of his time on a car that his son hasn't driven for 10-15 years

my mate runs a small bore rifle club elsewhere and often tells me all of the long standing regular members are a bit strange or odd so I might fit in well with the dad if he's one of those - course the car might not be garaged there (and have to be out by the 30th)
N Atkins

Apart from anything mechanical, everybody knows where the rust lurks, so that's the kind of assesment required.

Lift carpets, remove footwell and inner sill side panels etc. Have a decent torch and small mirror to look inside front wings etc etc. Use a digital cam with flashto take pics inside crevices if you can. If you don't look you won't know if there's rust there. Look everywhere. Spend a couple of hours at it.

Make sure in advance that the seller is willing to let you do ALL of that. If not, don't bother with it, unless you have a written gaurantee that any rust subsequently found, ensures money back of some refunded.

If it goes, drive it. It's not that hard to avoid buying a scrapper.

But don't be put off if there is rust there.

You only have to look at a couple of very recent threads to see how ANY car can be put back together again.

Someone will buy it, and it'll be on the road again. Might as well be you. :)
Lawrence Slater

Nowt wrong with the earlier cars. For those with wider shoulders the earlier cars offer more room. Personally I dont like wind up window cars because my arm is right against the door panel.
Drums will improve his observation and anticipation driving skills and can always be changed to discs later. As Rylan has found there are plenty of club members in Kent that offer advice and hands on assistance (and often parts).
The 948 engine is sweet and easily uprated later but what Rylan needs is a car he can get in and drive without recourse to immediate recommissioning and repair.
Does it really take so long to get a car reliable. I drove mine 2500miles thu Europe with 270 miles on the clock.with no more than a change of brake light switch in a car park at Florence.Doing a trip thru France, Belgium, Italy & Switzerland in Sept if anyone is interested in using their Spridget.
www.masckent.org
Alan Anstead

Rylan

I will call the vendor and arrange an appointment for the weekend if its possible. Snow is forecasted so fingers crossed.
Please call me on 07725957969 so that we can discuss this and I will also give you my email address.
Ian
Ian Webb '73 GAN5

Ian
I have just e-mmailed Rylan to contact you.
Alan
Alan Anstead

This is great - it's almost as exciting as going to look at one yourself! Hope it's a good 'un.
John Payne

Ian,
just realised my email address wasn't showing after the site refresh, it should be now

if you want company send me an email after ringing Rylan

cheers
Nigel Atkins

"it's almost as exciting as going to look at one yourself!"

Funny thing that. I had no intention of getting another spridget. However, courtesy of Rylan, I have. On the surface I convinced myself I was mostly looking on rylans behalf when I drove to Forest hill to look at the maroon rwa. Really I just fancied looking, and once there, I fancied buying. It gave me the same buzz I got back in 1977 when I bought my Sprite from a scrappy. That was surrounded by the remains of autumn leaves too.
Lawrence Slater

Just an update

According to Ian the mk1 midget was sold this afternoon :(

Thanks to all those who offered to view the car for me!
R Williams

Well Rylan, if at first you don't succeed!
Bring on the next one!
G Williams

Not surprised that one went. Had I been in the market for one I would have sneaked in and bought it at that price. Its one of the dangers of discussing potential purchases on a public forum. Seek advice, but play your cards close. Otherwise its just entertainment for everyone else.
Guy W

No! I'm really sorry about that Rylan, being someone that bought one of the ones you were considering I feel even worse - it wasn't me that bought this one by the way!

I moved fast when I saw the one near you as I new it would go quickly, I bought it without seeing it. But that was a £750 car and at £2000+ you needed to make sure it was solid first so don't feel bad about not being able to move fast on a car like that.

There will be more and one will be yours!
John Payne

Bad news Rylan, I'm sure you will soon be "A.N.Owner"

Good luck, well done Ian for trying on Rylan's behalf.
Bill1

personally I think it might have been a good buy (who knows) but probably not so for Rylan, perhaps we’ll see it again in a few months’ time to judge
Nigel Atkins

It's a shame but I can keep hunting!

Is anyone here near Daventry for this one?:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1973-MG-MIDGET-1275-RWA-MODEL-BRITISH-RACING-GREEN-EXCELLENT-CONDITION-/230907683500?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item35c32ba2ac

Rylan
R Williams

This guy sells quite a few Midgets on Ebay.

The price of this one has just been reduced by a grand, having been for sale for a while.

He turned down 6 offers on it, one of which was £5000.

Go figure.
Dave O'Neill2

there is/was another one similar to this on eBay

I guess he was waiting for an overseas buyer

'the car is stored at my home in the village of Woodford Halse' that's nearish Daventry but not Daventry itself

Rylan,

note metallic (micra?) paint

I've asked the seller to contact me - so if you have questions then put here or email
Nigel Atkins

Have a look in Cambridge.

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/1967-mg-midget/1006833163#gallery-item-full-4


Lawrence Slater

Looks good for the price.
Dave O'Neill2

I have seen that one advertised on ebay a couple of times.

It has been fraudulently listed on gumtree of £2700 previously, I get the sneaking suspicion it may be a dodgy listing as the pictures used were the same as on the ebay adverts
R Williams

Ah, yes.

It's all coming back to me now.

We discussed this car before on your other thread.

Here's an ebay listing for it from November...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=121021017015


and a fake Gumtree ad which said it was in Lancashire.


Dave O'Neill2

Rylan,
I don't know if you've missed my message just previously - I've texted the seller at Woodford Halse (Daventry) to phone me at their convenience at it was late last night before I saw this - no response as yet

so if you have questions then let me know

Woodford Halse is another generally wealthy village (as close to Towcester (Silverstone) as it is Daventry) so I doubt selling Midgets is his main source of income
Nigel Atkins

Hi, putting the contact phone number into the net, you find a music teachers web site and her location (same as the photos):-
Aspen Rise, Shirland, Alfreton DE55 6LU

Put her name into 192.com, you find she and her husband (Steven & Nicola Zadrozny) live at no. 3.

Looking at his feedback on ebay, he sold a Smart roadster from the same location.

Every little helps, as they say!

Regards, Tony
Tony G

Tony

I think the original ebay listing was quite genuine.

It's the subsequent Gumtree listings that are suspicious.
Dave O'Neill2

Rylan,

You may want to have a look at this one

ebay 321057133214 Item number:

its located in Biddenden nr Ashford , he is willing to do a private sale

cheers
Andy
Andy Chaffey

Don't hang about Rylan. Get in there pronto.
Lawrence Slater

do you know something we don't then Lawrence photos, new MoT (for what that's worth) and very little else to go on in the eBay listing
Nigel Atkins

I see that's had a respray too. Or at least a partial one. Looks OK though at the current price though a long way to go yet on the auction
Guy W

I don't know if I know something you don't Nigel.

I do know that it's close enough to Rylan to take a quick sprint down there with very little effort, and nowt to lose except a bit of time and petrol.

I know that if you get in first, your always in the best position, esp when the seller is inviting a private sale.

I know that it's a tax free(every little helps) RWA, and whilst I personally prefer pre-slim cb and don't think the rwa's were the epitome of Midgets, others do, and that makes it worth having too.

That and my gut says go look, drive, probe and prod, and if pucker, buy -- at the right price.
Lawrence Slater

I agree go and have a look and drive, if it's a good 'un at a good price then it might be very reasonable but it's a bit off the mark of the one at Woodford Halse and it may work out more expensive to own that the one one at Wooodford Halse

but you don't know until you go and look and drive - remember I am agreeing with you :)
Nigel Atkins

I've lost track. Woodford Halse? Which one was that?
Lawrence Slater

That would be the metallic Green £5k car.
Dave O'Neill2

Is it just me, or are the days of decent Midgets st around 5k long gone?

Rylan
R Williams

Depends what you mean by decent. But there are lots for a lot less!
e.g. http://www.mgauctionwatch.com/midget/carsforsale/
Guy W

Well here's an update on the Ashford Midget that Andy linked below.

The seller isn't the owner. He's the chap that used to own it 6 years ago. He sold it to his friend, and went away. Then he came back, and his friend asked him to sell it for him.

The seller can't remember exactly how long he owned the car, but it could have been a year or 18 months. The seller doesn't know how many previous owners it's had, or any of it's history. But he does know that the owner -- his friend -- has only driven about 1000 miles in it in the last 6 years.

His friends (the owner) name is on the log book, but he won't give his name, and his friend can't be present at the sale, but he has signed the log book.

The sale will take place at a barn in Woodchurch near Tenterden, not at the owners house.

The seller isn't keen on my looking behind panels.

How does that sound then?
Lawrence Slater

There's just no trust these days lol....
Pete Ottewell

Very 'cloak and dagger'!
Dave O'Neill2

Rylan,
the, say, £2.5k to £5k advertised price cars are a minefield as at the advertised price many of the cars are good or very good indeed but many are average to poor or even very poor

a good car at a reasonable price (be it low or high) will always sell just needs an experienced potential purchaser to see and drive it - by experienced I mean has seen a few cars in the price range already

after you've been to see a few cars a very good one will stand out to you easily

Lawrence,
you expect too much from sellers, get over to view it pronto :D
Nigel Atkins

The other thing to remember is that very few cars will actually sell at the posted asking price. Most buyers will haggle and most sellers will accept that they will have to give a bit.
I would always expect to be able to settle on between 10% and 20% less.
Guy W

Nigel, I still think the car is possibly a very good one. It's the seller that seems, er, opaque?

One has to take an ad at face value, until it's debased by other information, or as in this case, the lack of it.
Lawrence Slater

Lawrence,
I agree the car still might be good

Guy,
I don't know but I get the feeling a very good car can sell for asking price and good cars may god for under 10% less, well at the moment anyway, I might well be wrong of course as I'm not an 'unofficial' trader (or official or a trader)
Nigel Atkins

In this list mentioned by Guy (http://www.mgauctionwatch.com/midget/carsforsale/)
there seems to be a few tempting vehicles. The "nut and bolt rebuild" superficially at least looks interesting assuming they haven't just replaced the nuts and bolts!
I think the chap in Hertford is a bloke who seems to trade in MGs.

I would be wary of the Tenterden car. I don't like the sound of the background information but perhaps it's the way Lawrence tells it.
"You will be picked up in Ashford, blindfolded and placed in the boot of my car. We will drive you to a secret location...... "
G Williams (Graeme)

Almost like that Graeme lol.

I'm intrigued though. Speaking with him, I get the impression -- no more than tone of voice -- that the car is genuine, but for some reason, he's cagey about saying too much. For all I know his "friend" is some minor celebrity who doesn't want to give their id away lol.

I'm tempted to go and have a peek just for the pleasure of a drive to Tenderden in the snow.
Lawrence Slater

Careful Lawrence, the snow leaves tracks. You could be followed! Take your scaffold pole, just in case!
G Williams (Graeme)

Nah, no tracks.

Me an Spritey went on a course with Kwai Chang Caine in China. We leave no tracks. I can take the pebble from your hand, no worries. -- "glasshopper" :)
Lawrence Slater

I sent an ebay message to the Tenterden Midget seller, and he finally replied.

"Can you tell me how many owners are registered in the log book? Are you the owner or in the trade?
Can you tell me about major any body work that's been done to it in the last 10 years? Welding? Repsray? etc."

Reply
Logbook shows 14 previous owners.
I'm selling the car on behalf of my friend.
I do not know of any.
Thankyou"

So there you are then. All you need to know from that comprhensive reply.

When I spoke to him on the phone on the 16th, he assured me it would be gone this w/end. Guess not. So now he's seeking buyers.

Try again Rylan, maybe he'll tell you a bit more about the car this time around.

Lawrence Slater

PS. Funny how he forgot to mention he used to own it himself.

Lawrence Slater

Tenterden/Ashford red Midget.

Either the reserve was withdrawn, or it's passed it. Currently £2600 17h 45m left

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321057133214?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
Lawrence Slater

Well it went for £2,951.00, anybody here?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321057133214?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
Lawrence Slater

Lawrence, so that's where my bloody pebble went!

£3k seems a lot?
G Williams (Graeme)

In the blink of an eye Graeme, when in was in your kitchen having a cup of tea.

Do you hear the grasshopper which is at your feet?

3k. And unless someone here bought it, and tells us all about it, well never know if it was worth it.

Ah the mysteries of life. lol.
Lawrence Slater

Well, don't think it was Rylan. Will know on Sunday at the next MASC meet.
G Williams (Graeme)

No not Rylan, he already said he was watching it but not buying it.

I wonder who then?

Come out come out, whoever you are. lol.
Lawrence Slater

Definitely not me, 14 previous owners and vague seller - no thanks!

If that orange one was closer I would be round like a shot!
R Williams

This thread was discussed between 08/01/2013 and 23/01/2013

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