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Ah ...... The true meaning of 'the hot seat' ........ R. "Roger Stinson" 29092... MORE
Roger No problem! I was going to get this type of hardboard, I just haven't spent any time investigating potential suppliers. I will follow the same course you have, and have stripped half of the panels already in readiness for using the old hardboard as templates for cutting the new ones. The only problem I can see is the 'curved' section on the rear panel. I would imagine most people just re-use their old one, but mines been hacked about by a PO installing speakers into it. If I can re-use it then obviously I will, but I don't... MORE
OUR NIGE SAID (Long time since I used that expression, remember OUR NIGE & RED FIVE) "Original Midget & Sprite by Terry Horler Published by Bay View Books ISBN 1-870979-45-1 Doesn't cover any form of restoration, but is invaluable as a reference boo k, charting production changes and historical information. (Does come up on ebay but is horrifically expensive!)" ************************************************* SO I'm looking into buying a copy and the prices at Amazon are currently. AMAZON U.K. Search for Horler: then listed under the description, Original Sprite and Midget, The complete guide to AH and MG etc etc =A324.99 NEW,... MORE
While perusing www.ragtops.com yesterday, I noticed an optional windshield for MGAs...really cool looking to me. It looks like it might be doable to modify a spridget windshield frame and a piece of lexan to make one of these. It looks more appropriate than a booklands to my eye. Of course, unless I find some way to lower the seats in my midget, it wouldn't work for me. I already look over the frame as much as I look through the windshield. Anybody know where I can buy dished floor pans? Robert Houston COP QUOTES "Someone, somewhere is practicing. If... MORE
With appologies to Nigel. I should have said 'Oil Tempered' hardboard. (NOT oil bonded) I bought a trim set a number of years ago because the seat vinyl split next to the seams. To have panels that matched in colour with the new seats, I had to have new ones of those as well. They were not good. Not up to the standard I wanted. I ended up carefully stripping the old panels and using them as templates to make the new ones. The best drills to use are 'saw tooth' bits. They are rather like a forstner bit,... MORE
From: Roger Stinson [mailto: rogerstinson@... ] Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2004 9:54 AM To: midgetsprite@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [midgetsprite] Re: Trim panels So there is a man who knows what 'rabbit' 'forstner' 'scotch nose' and 'norris' mean, along with 'twin taper dovetail housings' ! Funnily enough I have also made the odd bit of furniture etc. and make guitars for a hobby when not 'midgetting'. R "Duncan Sinclair" 29075... MORE
Hi Rick Welcome to the list, and well done on your bravery on buying a load of bits that's meant to be a car! You don't say if you're in the US or UK (apologies to other list members in other countries) but the majority of list members are from one or other of these two countries. I mainly use Moss (www.moss-europe.com) for the simple reason they pretty much have any part you may want under the same roof. I wouldn't say they were the best (and other list members have their own favourites) but I've found them to... MORE
Rob Apology not necessary, your input is always valued. I already have a pair of Sony speakers I'm going to put into mine, which I bought to go in my previous everyday car, which I subsequently changed (an offer came up I coudn't refuse!) to a much newer car, before I had a chance to install them, the newer car has a pretty decent stereo in it, so I decided to put them into the Midget when it was done. I also have a radio console that I'll probably finish in the trim material, another reason for doign the... MORE
Nigel, I never know at what point in time I'm entering these threads so I apologize for any untimely input. FWIW-I couldn't bear to cut holes in the brand new back panel. I searched for small speakers on short "stalks" but couldn't find any suitable. Finally saw a set at the British Union Car Show last Sept. that screw to the flat area behind the seats. Nice, neat, out of the way, decent sound and No Holes! Rob C Webfoot Leisure.com rob@... 630-841-6077 robbiesg@... 29035... MORE
Nigel, I utterley agree with you about MGOC which is an income-generating business for the self-appointed "club chairman" and his friends and family. Not a "Club" in the proper sense of the word. I bought panels from there because at the time I couldn't find an alternative. For all that, they are a "known quantity" from which to start. Guy "Guy Weller" 29037... MORE
Is the rod attached from the center dash to the top center of the windshield necessary for the windshield frame's structural strength? In early models it was used to mount the rear view mirror but later models have the rear view mirror attached directly to the top frame but the rod was still left in place. If it is not necessary to keep the frame from spreading apart in the middle I want to remove it. Don "Don May" 29030... MORE
Alan Thanks for your input. Anyone would think from your comment I was a fussy, pernickity, crotchety old git (no comments required!) well you're right! lol Problem is, my seat covers are leather connolly hide (one of the few departures from originality I've made) but the grain and pattern is pretty close to the trim panels. I have considered using leather for the trim panels, but I think thats just taking things too far. The leather seat covers were a pretty good deal, I got them off ebay, for not much more than buying an equivalent set of vinyl... MORE
these are like the ones in the B & W photo of the interior of a MK lll Midgeton page 99 of Clausager's book. Mine is a '71 Sprite so I know they don't "belong" - but they look nice Guy "Guy Weller" 28998... MORE
Nigel, As I've mentioned before my dear lady wife bought me a VB interior for my car. I would give the kit a grad of B+. Everything fit well and seemed of good quality. The waterproofing seemed OK. I wasn't impressed with the quality of the carpet set. Seemed a little thin. I had never done anything like this before so putting in the kit felt very risky. It came out looking very good. Just a couple of glitches my inexperience caused that aren't really very visible to anyone else. BTW-The kit seemed an excellent match for the car.... MORE
Nigel, The MGOC ones are quite well sealed at the back. The coloured vinyl front side is seam welded to a semi-transparent plastic sheet which covers the back of the hardboard. Only problem is that you then have to puncture this backing sheet where you fit the fastening clips. Even so, I think it does serve to keep moisture out. On mine, I also made up plastic sheets to cover all the door apertures first. I used some of that "fablon" sticky-backed plastic sold for covering books etc. I am not sure about the grain pattern. It seems to... MORE
Nigel, I'd say save your time and buy. Just choose a good set that will match with the carpet, seats and other trim, unless you are doing all of them yourself as well. "Alan" 28977... MORE
Hi guys And please don't think I'm now restoring a Mini because I'm not ok ! It's about time I updated you folks on how the Midget restoration's coming on. The bodyshell is now about 90% complete in gloss coat, there's a couple of area's I need to deal with and a couple of panels to finish with 90/10 paint/thinners mix, to bring up the gloss. The bootlid has had 5 or 6 coats of 50/50 and now needs some 70/30, and 90/10 coats. Likewise the passenger door. The drivers door, is in primer now awaiting its first gloss... MORE
When I re-assembled mine I had a choice of three types. I wasn't sure which were the "correct" ones (that is in a Nigelistic sence of the word) but used the ones I like best. They are all chrome drop handles which I suspect come from an earlier model but they do look good. That left me with 2 pairs of those horrinble moulded plastic things that go on the later rubber bumper cars, plus a pair of the black plastic ones with chromed pivots like yours. I don't know where they all came from as a good deal... MORE
When I re-assembled mine I had a choice of three types. I wasn't sure which were the "correct" ones (that is in a Nigelistic sence of the word) but used the ones I like best. They are all chrome drop handles which I suspect come from an earlier model but they do look good. That left me with 2 pairs of those horrinble moulded plastic things that go on the later rubber bumper cars, plus a pair of the black plastic ones with chromed pivots like yours. I don't know where they all came from as a good deal... MORE
When I re-assembled mine I had a choice of three types. I wasn't sure which were the "correct" ones (that is in a Nigelistic sence of the word) but used the ones I like best. They are all chrome drop handles which I suspect come from an earlier model but they do look good. That left me with 2 pairs of those horrinble moulded plastic things that go on the later rubber bumper cars, plus a pair of the black plastic ones with chromed pivots like yours. I don't know where they all came from as a good deal... MORE
Neat door lining, Don. What are those drop handles from? I have a spare pair like that but never knew what they came from. Guy "Guy Weller" 28946... MORE
Hi Don May... Sorry..no exper. with vinyl sprays but want to compliment you on job..very nice!! What exterior color is that? :) Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 28958... MORE
Two down without removing the dash . . . have nice clean tach and speedometer glass now but the worst ones are the fuel and oil/temp . . . may have to wait for a dash removal for those. Don "Don May" 28984... MORE
The drop handles with chrome ends were on the 68 and early 69 Spridgets. Nice, yes? They later went to cheap plastic handles. "Don May" 28951... MORE
As I recall with the ones I removed completely it did take a bit of gentle prying and breaking loose the hardened rubber seals before the chrome ring could be twisted to its keyed position for removal. At least when you remove one it gives an additional access hole for the others. Getting the old body into the correct position to work under the dash is always a challenge. Not so much getting into position but getting back out is usually the problem. Am I the only person who thinks what may bite me when I push my hand... MORE
