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 - One piece flip front

Hi all,

I have recently become the proud owner of a midget 1500. Now I have managed to get the engine running, its time to start on the bodywork. The front bonnet and both wings are a bit tatty, so I have now ordered a one piece fibreglass flip front along with a peter may hinge.

Looking at fitting this, does anyone have photos of how they have managed it. I have read that you need to cut away some of the bumper supports, but am uncertain how far I need to go. Thought it best to check before I get carried away and remove too much....

Any other words of wisdom on fitting these would also be great!
m cannell

Should be a fun project....sorry i cant add anything

Keep us posted

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

M Cannell,

I've had a couple of FB bonnets on my frogeye and generally found them thin. I understand these days that you can get race (lightweight) and road (thicker) bonnets. All the bonnets I've seen have had the front hinged arrangement fitted to the lower valance and this is often not strong. I think the Peter May unit fits to this part and IIRC is intended for race use so not sure how well things will stand up to road use if that is your intention. I have seen bonnets mounted using barn door hinges fitted between the front of the chassis rails and the valance, not ideal but it worked but quite flexible. In my case bearing these facts in mind I made a frame to support the bonnet out of largely 1" x 1" x 16swg box section as shown in the image and this attached to aluminium sections bonded into strong sections of the bonnet and worked well. The frame weight I worked out at about 6.5kg from memory.

BTW I won't post the link to the original posting of this info as it'll reveal my ID as the link doesn't seem to work without it as it used to. The original posting is in the archives posted on 11-11-2007, titled "Tilt up front clip/ design" in the "Midget and Sprite Technical" Archive section.


David Billington

David

I don't think you can post a link to an archived thread. You need to be logged in to access the archives. If you post a link with an 'access' ID, the ID is automatically removed from the posted message, so the link doesn't work.
Dave O'Neill2

Hi Matt
Where in Warwickshire are you? I am in Warwick and I have a one piece front fitted with a Peter May hinge you could look at.
Carl
C Bintcliffe

Hi Carl.

Hi Matt, if you are interested we can supply a standard style flip front for £150 , a Racestyle for £180 or a Sebring replics style for £210 all plus Vat and shipping
J L HEAP

Thanks guys for all your advice.

Carl, we live in Rugby but I work in Warwick. If you don't mind me coming to have a look then that would be fantastic. May be best for you to e-mail me direct to arrange a suitable time cannellmatt@aol.com

Right, back to the garage to battle with some temperamental headlights now....

m cannell

Ooops wrong info on flip fronts should have read
£195,£240,£280 plus vat
J L HEAP

If it's of any help
Extra bracing to race weight Peter May front, without this the front valance area was not rigid enough for front hinges See image
Stuart


S BREEZE

And another


S BREEZE

Looks great Stuart - loving the extra vents!
m cannell

This is how those vents ended up
Stuart


S BREEZE

This thread was discussed between 16/12/2012 and 19/12/2012

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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