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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Rivets for B-post.Trim

I am reinstalling the trim pieces that cover the standing seam at the top of the b-post. I am having difficulty finding the right rivets for this job. The originals were installed so the heads faced the exterior. A turnbuckle was mounted facing the interior. The hollow end of the rivet was clinched over the turnbuckle to hold it in place.

Does anyone have a source for these rivets? They are 1/8" in diameter and approximately 5/16" long before they are set. The originals look like plated brass. I have seen pop rivets used here and they don't look right. Moss shows a screw for this application and I think that would look even worse.

If I can find the rivets can they be set with a center punch to flare them and a drift pin to flatten the clinch or will I need special tools to do this? Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Paul


Paul Noeth

Paul. When I bought my '65 car it was only two years old and therefore unmolested. Those trims were held by screws, some of which came out OK and others I had to drill out. When I restored the car I used small screws and nuts which I think look not bad, you may think otherwise, but anyway, I'll go up to my garage and take a couple of pictures which will give you some idea, then you can judge for yourself. BTW, I've searched high and low for some better trims, without success.

Bernie.
b higginson

Here are some pictures. If I could source some better trims, I would attempt a neater fixing. I'm sure there is a market for someone to make these trims in stainless steel. (Are you reading this Ashley Hinton?)

Bernie.


b higginson

The system doesn't seem to want me to upload anymore pictures at the moment, but I'll keep trying.
For the turn buckle I used small countersunk screws with nyloc nuts then cut the screws off flush. To fix the trim I used self tappers cut to length.
b higginson

Another


b higginson

One more.


b higginson

Bernie,

Thank you for the photos. The screws are functional and serve the purpose. I think my car left the factory with rivets and that is what I am trying to replicate.

My wife and I bought the midget in 1973 so it was about seven years old at the time. I too think that my car was unmolested and very original. It was also very un-maintained. I don't think the previous owner ever repaired anything, so I am pretty confident he did not mess with the trims.

I wish that I had taken photos before they were removed. On the outside only the smooth oval heads of the rivets were visible. On the inside the clinch holding the rivets was obviously made with a proper tool. The metal was smooth and rolled over in a perfect ring.

I have also been looking for replacement trims with no luck. As far as the market for these trims is concerned, there are at least two of us in it. That should be enough to convince any company to tool up. While they are at it, they can produce new window regulators as well. ;)

Has anyone come up with another method for fastening the trims and turnbuckles?

Paul







Paul Noeth

Paul. Thinking back, you are probably right about the turnbuckle originally being riveted. There was a long time elapsed between removal and refitting in my case, but I'm sure the trims were fixed with screws.
I wonder does anyone else have any pictures of an unmolested car thathey would be willing to post.

Bernie.
b higginson

This thread was discussed between 21/02/2013 and 23/02/2013

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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