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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Speedwell bonnet on a Mk3 Midget

Hi All,
Just want an opinion..
I want to fit a fibreglass bonnet to my Mk3 midget.
Like the look of the speedwell Monza..
Anyone know whether it would work with a Mk3, I have only ever seen it on the earlier Marks..
Tim
T Dafforn

I can't recall ever hearing about a speedwell fitted to a midget what so ever, only on sprites.

I'm not to familiar with the MKIII but the enginebay and body in front should be quite similar to for example my car so I think it would be doable.

You car should look something like this correct?



Alexander Sorby Wigstrom

And since it's to late to edit my post: for the record here's a pic. of my sprite mkI with the speedwell fitted to it, and when mounted correctly the fit is superb, so if the mkIII looks lite the first picture when striped it'll probably work


Alexander Sorby Wigstrom

I have the Speedwell mounted to my '74 RWA, if that helps.
JM Morris

Hi,
Yes you are probably correct, they were originally for sprites..
Yes my car currently looks like the first picture..
JM, would love to see some pictures of your car!
Tim
T Dafforn

Hi Tim

I've had it in mind to put a Sebring bonnet on my Midget since I first got one.

I have one on order at Archers Garage - I believe they make them themselves. They also make the Monza bonnet, I think that's the one you're after. Pictures and a link to Archers at sebringsprite.com Last time I spoke to them they were talking about £200 to remove the standard panels, and fit the new one piece. Price did not include paint or the bonnet.

I talked to them about doing it myself, it seems all you need to do is remove the lip on the inner wheelarch for clearance and because my car (formerly) had rubber bumpers the front chassis horns need to be cut back. They were quite adamant that a competent diy-er could do it. So I'll be asking them!

I must add I'm a complete sucker for these bonnets. I just love the whole period tuning business. I can spend hours looking through old copies of Motorsport Magazine at the small ads. If I had the money I'd have one of the Peel bodied coupes, and maybe an Ashley bodied car. They're such a joy to see. I loved seeing them race at Goodwood last summer. Some may have prefered the Ferraris and Astons, but I was ready to go home after the first race....

Tim H
t halket

I agree with Tim here, I too prefer the monza bonnets over all the others.
There are also some great monza-bonnet coupe spridgets out there in the classic racescene.
Maybe someday ... if I get a rich wife. :)
Arie de Best

Yes I know what you mean, these bonnets look great..
I was also thinking about one from Archers.
Prices look reasonable given I don't have a good bonnet, nosecone and wings on the car at the mo..
Also guess that there is quite a weight saving..
Tim
T Dafforn

Tim,
I was at Archers last week ordering my stuff, the bonnets are great , both the sebring and the speedwell.
I am fitting to a mk3 and both should fit. Most people that fit sebring or speedwell change the rear of the car as well so unsure how it would look on its own .
Andrew was a great help at Archers and well worth a ring to discuss
Andy
Andy Chaffey

Thanks for the info, I'll given 'em a bell
Redoing the back end was a thought, but it looked pretty heavy going.
Cheers
Tim
T Dafforn

I had thought about changing the rear. Nice light glass rear end, looks nice saves weight....

But talking to Andrew at Archers it would mean new doors, scuttle, b-pillar (if that's the term for the door frame side with the catch in it) and fitting new ally trim around the cockpit. With all that done you may as well change the dashboard and seats to make it all look original.

I was being more pragmatic, just replacing duff tin-wormed panels.

I think you'd need serious bodyworking skills or a deep pocket to change all the panels.
t halket

Hi,
The Monza looks great.
But it always was seen with frog rear end. So it is difficult to imagine the monza nose with a rear end from a midget.
But if you have the book Gold Portfolio of the midget, there is an article p 37, regarding a midget 948cc prepared by Speedwell with a Monza nose.
Hope this could help.

But my taste is for Ashley....

laurent

www.spritemidget.com
ld derancourt

JM MOrris from Tennessee, can you show us pictures of your midget with monza front?
Arie de Best

Laurent - have had a problem with my computer with the email address you had so I hope you haven't been asking for photos!! How is your front coming on?

If you need anymore try Rachel-macbathotmaildotcodotuk.
rachmacb

my car is RWA with Sebring front, can email pics if anyone's interested...


David Smith

Just remembered that there is a nice 3 page spread on the Speedwell GT in January 2011 Classic & Sportscar.

Sorry if its already been mentioned.

Tim
t halket

Thanks for the picture that helps a lot.
To me it looks fine!
Cheers
Tim
T Dafforn

the Monza nose on a prepared 948cc midget by Speedwell:


ld derancourt

Id, cool article!
That actually looks really nice!
Alexander Sorby Wigstrom

Arie--here ya go!


JM Morris

Looks superb to me JM!

Is cooling ever an issue with these small rad intakes?
nmptjnzlcjm

I've never had a problem with cooling. And I'm running 10:1 compression and a 185 thermostat. The only way I can get the temp up to around 200 is to be pulling a long mountain grade at speed in 90+ degree weather.

Frankly, there's a lot of space between the lower lip of the bonnet and the radiator, so there's plenty of area to pull air from.
JM Morris

Yes the Monza Speedwell fits on a Mk3 Midget. I guy called Michael Tolmie who lived in Berkshire had one a few years back. Pics here -

http://www.mggallery.co.uk/1972speedwellmidget.html

Nice car but there are cooling issues with the small air intake.

Nigel Pratt
Nigel Pratt

This thread was discussed between 16/01/2011 and 24/01/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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