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Alan Hey im not discrimatory - I'll upset anyone, not just colonials! : ) Even I've eased off the car recently, combination of the weather getting colder, going down with a heavy cold and a need to order a whole bunch of parts - mostly new nuts and bolts which are taking ages to sort out and list down. You may remember I sent off my front bumper blade and over-riders to be re-chromed earlier in the year plus a few bits to be zinc and yellow paassivated. Should be getting them back tommorow - and from what I've... MORE
thanks rex, I'll try not to get hit then! I think I'll stick with the atandard arches though! neil "Neil Rouse" 29901... MORE
The 3.7 diff was used in the later 1500 and in the riley 1.5 and wosley 1500, and AFIK not a fragile unit at all, well your 1500 engine is more likely to break than the diff, given its liking for throwing rods in standard form. One thing to note though is your speedometer will need recalibrating as it will read slow. Stewart "Ford Prefect" 29875... MORE
Nigel, I hadn't noticed there was one... but if you are interested maybe we could share the cost of a container. Or perhaps you ought to finish that 1275 of yours first? ;-) Guy "Guy Weller" 29886... MORE
Hi, The diff on my 1500 needs replacing and I've the option of a 3.7 (recon) if i want it, i've heard this is a weaker diff, is this true? THe engine is stage 1 an the moment but im slowly aquiring bits to take it further. As I'm seriously thinking of a 5 speed conversion later this year (most likely autumn) maybe it isnt that important. I know the later 1500's came form the factory (so i'm told anyway with a 3.7) but is the difference noticable, both in reduced revs at cruising speed and the slight loss... MORE
When the tip of my key broke off and got left behind in the cylinder of my 78 Midget, I learned that getting it dissected and fixed by a locksmith would cost roughly the same (or more) as a whole new assembly at Moss, so I went for the new set. Now I have two original brand-new keys and a reliable cylinder. Pulling the steering column to access and replace the unit was fairly simple. There are maybe 6 to 8 bolts that hold the whole thing together. If I did it, I suspect you can too. Steve www.1978mgmidget.com... MORE
G'day all Good point Alan. Sprites and Midgets (and many other BMC cars) were assembled here by the Austin Motor Company (Australia) Pty Ltd, in an inner Sydney suburb of Zetland. The site was sold off for residential and industrial use some 20 years ago. Fortunately there are a few guys who worked for BMC during the 1950's and 1960's who meet a few times a year, and who visit interested car clubs to talk about their experiences, show photos of the cars being constructed etc. It's great that these guys are still around sharing their knowledge. There was... MORE
Nigel, I do not know the exact shipping costs but have heard in the neighborhood o f about US $1,000.00 Today in the SF bay area alone there are six 72 - 76 Midgets advertised for less than $1,000. A couple of those complete and very near running conditi on. One 73 body, less engine, for $200.00 not sure of the body condition. Needless to say the local economy is not that great and it's a buyers marke t at the moment, and the dollar is at a near all time low compared to the p ound. Don "Don... MORE
Its very true! I started out with a '78 1500. Now I have my 71' Sprite. I keep finding myself looking at pictures of a MK II. Those clean lines around the windscreen without quarter lights, those deep door pockets and lovely round top seats........And then people talk of the smoothness of the 1098 engine....I can feal the addiction growing! Of course I would really like a frogeye, but that is for a later stage in my regression! Guy "Guy Weller" 29850... MORE
David Good post, I agree. Would be such a shame to reshell a '62 Sprite into a later bodyshell, losin =3D=0D g many of the features that made those Sprites distinctive. But I accept one =3D=0D has too be reasonable about these things, and many of use don't have bottomless =3D=0D pits of money to sink into our hobbies. I also tend to agree regarding the MKII Sprite and MKI Midget being one of =3D=0D the 'nicest' versions. I always felt that the later MKIII Midgets MKIV Spri =3D=0D tes were the best but I'm coming round to the... MORE
Well looked at it,then looked again the next week,and well l wanted them wheels for my 67 sprite,so l got it a 78 1500 there will be other bits on it l can use for my car, but will have a good engine and box for sale in a few weeks time 67000 miles from new, dam shame realy to break it but doors etc will fit mine,one wing has a bit of rot but the other side is fine,bumpers are the same very good,and yes before you moan at me l should restore it but doing this 67... MORE
As far as the MGB link, yeah, I just am interested in that color scheme. A s far as a concours (or whatever they call it) restoration, for this particular MG, I am more interested in making a solid, fun, reliable car. I'll probably drive it for a few years, and give it to my daughter when she's 16. As for me, I'll have a little roadster with a great big engine. Don't know what yet though. "TJ Tryon, Jr." 29807... MORE
Jens...can't believe you're coincidental timing in asking about paint color "on list" at this particular time...still laughing! :):) While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I agree. I had a buddy in high school (Ted Owens) who had an MGA '60 1600 in Iris Blue with wire wheels and the "thin" whitewalls which were the rage at the time. VERY pretty car. Retired Navy fighter jock. A4's, Vietnam vet. Cool guy. Bet he still owns/drives this MGA!! It's still Iris Blue. And Nigel my friend...the car is as original as it can be, really. At least it... MORE
Nigel, you know the saying, when you in stuck in a hole, stop digging! Lighten up!! ;-) If these colours that Colin lists were the way those cars were prepared by the Australian franchisee that assembled the cars, then they are, for Australian cars, the original colours. And in the UK motor industry in general, colour shades varied considerably and, just as with other componenets, if they were short they were just as likely to knock off a few in the nearest colour available on the adjoining production line. So I do not think that you should be as... MORE
Hey group. I think its time to pass my beloved 62 midget onto someone else. But only after Don May gets first refusal!... I'm not in a panic to move it, but i would like to see it go to a good home. Its photos are in the album section under 62 midget... its an original 948 side curtain model with a very new (under two weeks) rebuilt head. it has very nice seats, good dash, everything works, including the windshiled squirters. the hand brake needs adjustment and it could do with a brake bleeding or the very least... MORE
In my junkyard explorations today I came across an Austin car that I had never seen before. It was rear drive hardtop coupe, had a 948 in the cab with a single downdraft carb. Drum brakes all round, most of the markings and nameplates were missing. It looked like an Austin Amercia or Morris 1100, but was rear drive. (c. 1964?) It had a faded rear deck lid that appeared to be A40. I was interested in the rear ratio.... hmmmm? "riley_datsun" 29772... MORE
I too was out in a junkyard today looking around. I went to the junk yard because they said they had some leather fiero seats. I did not find any of those, but did run across a beautiful 79 Midget with NO rust and a perfect interior. Motor was out of a triumph and did not run. Come to find out, the car is a friend of the body manager's car. It's not for sale, but instead, it's in transit into a different storage place. Too bad, this car is showroom shiny, and that's with the original paint job.... MORE
Hello all, my Dad's '72 Midget is stuck in reverse. I had been trying to get the reverse light switch to work and had some measured success, but now things have gone horribly awry. The little plunger that pops up to activate the light switch doesn't seem to be popping up anymore and the little jewel won't shift at all. When I let out the clutch it'll back up just fine. It seems as though the first-second gate is working, but when you stick the lever in either position, the transmission locks up solidly. The lever won't move over... MORE
The ex Cap'n wrote...."Wrynose" You people "over there" have got the coole st names for things! :) My favourite in the Lake district was the "Hardknot" pass. Single track with passing points. Longish straights and a few hairpins. I s eem to remember it finishes with cattle grids and a chicane though a farmya rd type environs, - solid granite walls. I thought I was saving petrol by trying to coast down the mountain, but wh en the brakes overheated and I had no engine braking I found out how hard t he granite walls of the barn were.... MORE
G'day all And sorry Nigel - BRG was a standard colour for Bugeyes in Australia. The cars assembled here came in as CKD (Completely Knocked Down) and painted in grey primer. They were painted here in four standard colours, after four European national racing colours: Rhiems Blue (France) Monza Red (Italy) Nurburg White (Germany), and British Racing Green (duh). The Australian ID plates on the firewall were stamped with the car model, body number, engine number and colour. We have quite a few on the Register that were (and many still are) British Racing Green. Sometimes shortened on the... MORE
Chris Don't treat him like an OAP, stick ya bloody foot down girl, chuck it about =3D=0D abit and see what he can do, you'll be amazed at how sure-footed these cars are =3D=0D and how far you can push them! Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 29705... MORE
Jim- Trust me on this one. Climb into the engine bay. You will be able to reach it. Very easy with the engine out. I have five teenagers. You are welcome to as many as you want. No exchanges and no returns. Paul '73 RWA "dfwip" 29682... MORE
Bob- I agree with all you say. But..... It IS leaking now, even if only a little. The engine is out. Why not fix it so it won't leak at all? At least that is my thought. Am I assuming the aftermarket seals are better than they actually are? I have a friend who is selling me the MiniMania kit for a very good price. Would really like to know if it is any good, or am I going to make a tolerable situation bad? Riverside kit only works with their adaptor plate. I am using Paul A's 5... MORE
Jim, I just did this yesterday for the third time in a month. No big deal. I have a thick blanket I lay across the engine, my son lays on top of the blanket and can reach down to the bottom of the inner well. Need to be VERY careful what you lay on. Not a big deal. Cannot get to it from the inside of the car. By the way.....I'm not responsible for any injuries sustained by following the above methodology. Paul '73 RWA "dfwip" 29672... MORE
Paul... No, no. Don't misunderstand. My ONLY point here is that you might want to educate yourself to the extent possible by speaking to more of an expert in these matters before you make a decision as we're talking a matter of "gray" here. The end decision is of course your's which is as it should be, as we are talking your time, talents, money and YOUR car! :) This is exactly why you should speak to Paul A about this before you go further. There may be more to this than initially meets the eye (which would not... MORE
