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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Mk2 Sprite hardtop attachment

Hi

I have just purchased a hardtop for a Mk2 Sprite that was produced by the Donald Healey Motor Company (DHMC) often called a ‘Warwick Mk2’ hardtop. See attached pics as well as at: http://www.sebringsprite.com/dhmchardtops.html & http://www.sebringsprite.com/mark2sebrings.html

Do you have any info, or pictures please on how such a hardtop attaches to a car as the one I have is devoid of any front turnbuckles and brackets for the windscreen uprights, or any side window brackets or any seals for the front frame and on the rear bodywork?

I did find the following link which shows a front turnbuckle and bracket as well a pic of window brackets:
https://www.britishcarforum.com/community/threads/warwick-hardtop-headlining-material.112187/ (pics attached with thanks).

I was thinking of modifying a marine 1/4 inch turnbuckle body (shortening it) and making up the hooked ends of the turnbuckle from 1/4 inch silver steel bar and my trusty UNF die, as well as modifying a luggage trailer tarp hook, but some dimensions of the bracket and its mounting holes would be useful as well as a bit more info on the rear side window mounts (some odd bent bolt through the mounting tang?) as well as how it mounts on the rear bodywork and info on any seals. This looked potentially handy for the rear sidescreen bolt: https://www.stalok.com/product/threaded-t/

Cheers
Mike






M Wood

There is a page on Facebook called MK11 Sprites and MK1 midgets that features these "Warwick" hardtops very regularly. The page is run by Jonathan Whitehouse Bird who takes great interest in these hardtops, to the extent of compiling a register of known survivors.
He, like a lot of Spridget enthusiasts, used to frequent this site but I haven't seen any posts from him for quite a while so don't know if he will see your post.
Good luck.
Kind regards
Robert
w r holmes

Robert

Many thanks for the helpful advice. I have been avoiding joining FB all these years, but sounds like I might have to.

Great to have someone from Ireland on the BBS; have you heard of or ever seen a Dublin assembled MG Midget Mk1 (I daftly did not look at a project one that was for sale some years back)? The Midgets were assembled by Booth Poole of Islandbridge from complexly knocked down - ‘CKD’ - kits from the BMC factory, as well as other models (e.g. MGA?).

Are you a member of the Midget and Sprite Club as it has an Ireland group which sounds quite active from reports in the club mag (‘ Mascot’). My interest comes from visiting family in Ireland as well as going to watch hillclimbs in RoI and NI (one day hopefully get my Mk2 Sprite competed and competing).

Cheers
Mike
M Wood

Hi Mike,
Glad to have been of assistance. Jonathan is the go-to guy for “Warwick” hardtops. I believe you have already been in touch with him.
I am aware that Booth Poole ( run by Alec Poole’s father) assembled MG, Wolseley and Riley cars in Dublin. There was another firm called Brittains who assembled Austin/Morris cars in the ROI. There are still Dublin assembled MG’s around in the ROI including an mga twin cam and a RWA Midget that wasn’t completed until 1976 due to a shortage of parts.
There was a Dublin assembled Mk1 Midget doing the rounds up here in Northern Ireland a few years ago. It was eventually acquired by a well known enthusiast in Galway. I think I saw the bodyshell in Pete Moreland-Moore’s business (BrookFab) where it was being evaluated. From memory it needed the usual plus there was evidence of poorly repaired rear accident damage. Unfortunately the guy who owned it at that time passed away a short time after I saw it and I don’t know where it is now, though I could probably find out.
I was briefly a member of MASC years ago but my membership lapsed as life got in the way. I know there are many good people in MASC so maybe will rejoin at some point in the future.
Kind regards
Robert
Robert Holmes

This thread was discussed between 15/04/2022 and 24/04/2022

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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