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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Radio console fitting?

I'm thinking of fitting a centre console to my 1968 Sprite. Possibly a repro one from M*ss or MGOC. How do they attach to the transmission tunnel/bulkhead?

Ta, Mark
M Crossley

don't

they look rubish and why would you need one ;p

Onno "don't listen to me i'm just messin around" Könemann
Onno Könemann

Much as I like the sound of my 1275 and the whine of my rib-case, occasionally I use my Sprite for mundane trips involving traffic and queues. I'd like somewhere to put a stereo. I'd also like a +12V socket to power a GPS. A place for a couple of extra switches would be useful. I'd like bluetooth for my phone. A cockpit light etc.

If I could do that (and improve the wipers and the draught-proofing and the mirrors....) I could probably use my Sprite every day and give back my company TT.

I was just wondering if the factory method of mounting was neat and clever. I have a suspision that it was crude and involved self-tappers.

Mark
M Crossley

I agree with Onno, they look rubbish.

But to answer your question, at least on my 1979 they were using the self-tappers.

I find this much more attractive, albeit no allowance for the radio.

Richard



R J Reeves

You don't need a radio, i like to listen to old 45's in mine.


Brad (Sprite IV 1380)

Okay, now we know who doesn't like radio boxes! ;-)

Actually, the consoles - the US spec ones, at least - attach via two tabs on each side. One's toward the top, and accepts a screw that then runs through the inside panel... imagine the battery being just on the other side of the panel. The lower tabs are located under the box where it angles in toward the bottom flat bit, and the screws for those tabs go into the bulkhead panel just behind the console.

Hope this helps!

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

Brad, nice engine, but I don't see your
turntable in there.
chuckc

yup,
the radio console used on late model midgets just screws to the sides of the battery tray with self tappers - make sure to remove the battery before you drill the holes, so you don't meet by accident.

I like to keep rubber caps over the sharp ends of my screws so that they can never poke into the sides of my battery, if it ever did shift position.

Note that the radio console is really shallow, only a radio unit that is about 5", or 5 1/2" deep, or something like that will fit, unless you space the whole console out away from the bulkhead, so a CD player won't fit there. I've seen folks space them out a lot and it looks clunky when they do (and the space to the shifter gets quite small).

Isn't the usual place for a radio in an early spridget right in the dash panel itself? With that slim, pretty dash that those early years had, it is hard to imagine how the bulky, boxy radio console would look below it.



Norm
Norm Kerr

you could always get a glove box and put the radio in there or build a self contained area box to fit on the seat shelve

Prop
Prop

i dont have a radio in mine. i prefer hearing my passengers screaming at me to slow down.much more entertaining.
roy judd

Thanks Chuck,
i'll fit the turntable soon,


Brad (Sprite IV 1380)

Mark
all the things you mention can be hidden or made to function without a center console.

you can hide a small amp in de pasengers footwell and just have a jack plug to plug in your phone/mp3 player

a 12v socket can be hidden behind the dash on the pasengers side so you plug it in from the bottem up.

and for the extra switches you can just get a small piece of angle and bolt that to the bottem of the dash.

if you just get a bit creative you can hide all of the ugly modern thingy's
Onno Könemann

Yeah supercharger! I put a *lot* of thought into supercharging an A like that then went for the K route instead, in fact I think it was Brad who invited me onto this BBS, so it's his fault :p !!

I've also got gauges instead of a radio :)
Rob Armstrong

Hi Rob,
thats not the first time someones said that to me today!
Brad (Sprite IV 1380)

What I did was use an installation kit made by Metra. It's kit number 99-7301 and is really for the 1986-2005 Hyundai vehicles. I have no problems with shifting or putting in or ejecting a cd.


Jon Saylor

This thread was discussed between 01/04/2010 and 03/04/2010

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