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Duncan Did you manage to get replacement bolts for your wishbone spring seat? I wanted to replace mine with new ones, but whne I spoke to Moss, they said they were NLA, so I had to - re-use them, but they looked like pretty standard bolts to me. Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 30673... MORE
Don Yep, I agree. And I am beginning to get frustrated and it is becoming a drudge, particularly with our weather right now which is pretty cold - had some snow flurries here again today *sigh*. I need to put my foot down on the gas, if you'll excuse the pun and get this thing finished! It is beginning to look good, with new bits going onto the nice shiny paint, but I think thats part of the problem - I can see the end in sight, but I'm still getting bogged down with things. Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 30668... MORE
Hi there, Just signed up to this site. Last year got myself a '59 frogeye for a groundup restoration (definately not a runner!!). I think it spent its initial life in sunny Houston Texas before being repatriated to uk. It then apparently stood sometime before I got my hands on it. Anyway thats the history lesson. Taking it steady with the bodywork last year but getting there slowly (taught myself to TIG weld - a very neat way to weld!). I am spending time on indoor work because UK garages in the winter aren't fun - and I'm getting... MORE
Hi there, Just signed up to this site. Last year got myself a '59 frogeye for a groundup restoration (definately not a runner!!). I think it spent its initial life in sunny Houston Texas before being repatriated to uk. It then apparently stood sometime before I got my hands on it. Anyway thats the history lesson. Taking it steady with the bodywork last year but getting there slowly (taught myself to TIG weld - a very neat way to weld!). I am spending time on indoor work because UK garages in the winter aren't fun - and I'm getting... MORE
From: amukdigiphoto [mailto: amukdigiphoto@... ] Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2004 6:09 PM To: midgetsprite@yahoogroups.com Subject: [midgetsprite] Re: Front spring removal Duncan Did you manage to get replacement bolts for your wishbone spring seat? I wanted to replace mine with new ones, but whne I spoke to Moss, they said they were NLA, so I had to - re-use them, but they looked like pretty standard bolts to me. Nigel "Duncan Sinclair" 30685... MORE
Bill, I drilled pilot holes, one where the roll-pin hole is and one in the other "corner". I then opened them up and used an ordinary hand tap (taper, then plug) to thread them to take 3/8" bolts. The holes mustn't be too deep or you will break through into the cylinder bore and ruin it. The cylinder then fastens firmly in position with two short bolts through the backing plate. It is actually a very easy modification to do. But not for those with an "original" fettish. Guy "Guy Weller" 30642... MORE
Hi James, welcome to the group. Do you have any pics of the car you'd like to post? The extra hood fastener was a factory-fit item but only for a short time at the beginning of production of that style of hood. Some people find it keeps the hood in better shape than just the velcro, and you can easily get the extra body stud if you end up getting that type of hood. Regards David "David Jacobs" 30624... MORE
Bill, A couple of points that may help: The "E" -clip goes on with the open gap towards the bleed screw. There is a very slight groove between the axle casing and the back plate that allows the edge of the clip to fit the space between the wheel cylinder and the axle casing. There are various techniques. I have found that if you can get the edges of the 3 lugs just against the edge of the wheel cylinder casting and then put a large socket against and give it a "light tap with a heavy hammer" it... MORE
Jens No they're not 'original' but they look it - you can't tell the difference between steel and cupro/nickel, so unless you tell anyone...however, no problems spotting copper ones huh? At the end of the day you don't need to be a slave to originality unless you intend to compete in 'concours' events, which I don't. My adherence to 'originality' is for my own benefit, because I want to keep my car as 'original' as I can. That doesn't mean that because cupro/nickel alloy brake pipes wern't used at the factory they can't be used now. Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 30606... MORE
Jens Depends on how much vibration the pipe is subjected to, it can go brittle and break if it's been allowed to vibrate - make sure its firmly clamped down. Cupro/nickel alloy is the best stuff to use - doesn't go brittle and doesn't rust - but is expensive! Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 30597... MORE
Din standard fittings are simply the German equivalent of B.S. (British Sta ndards) or American S.A.E standards. Allegedly there to make life simple for (production, mainly) engineers. Being German you will find that the 7" x 2" is probably 180 mm x 50mm. Alan - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -... MORE
Chris Have you seen the price of those steel radio consoles? I can't recall exactly how much Moss were asking - but it was in the region of 60 odd quid! They do, do a cheaper fibreglass one, but in my opinon they're a bit naff. These are the later type consoles by the way that were standard fitment to 1500 Midgets. The 'optional' console for the earlier Midgets (like yours) are slightly different and not easy to find, I have seen them second hand, but they are pricey. I got mine (the later 1500 type) off ebay, from... MORE
G'day Rick, and congrats on getting the car home. We have fitted a few cars with 14" MGB wheels, with no problem. As long as you don't go too wide on the tyre profile. Two things you will need to do. 1.. The lip on the inside of the rear wheel arch needs to be gently folded up against the inner panel. This gives you only 1/8" or so extra clearance, but you will probably need it. If you are gentle with a hammer and dolly, you can do it in 10 minutes per side, and it will be... MORE
Listers - (sounds like something you call people after a night on a booze cruise) I finally got my car home, created a folder in the photo section ("Ricks 75") and uploaded a photo... Figured out what caused the PO from finishing the restoration, he had snapped 2 bolts off while removing the passenger side front shock for some reason, soaking in WD40 for a couple of days and small amount of heat and the stubs came right out. The car is in supprisingly good shape (for Wisconsin), the previous owner towed it up from New Mexico, so it... MORE
I have a 1961 Bugeye that was originally Cherry Red with a red interior. In my studies, I have found a paint chip in the AutoColor Library at AutoBodyDepot.net that seems to be true to what everyone tells me the orignial looked like - almost a Maroon. The dilemma is that the Red interiors available from Moss etc almost seem to clash and yet I'm told that there was only one shade of red for the interior and the Moss interiors are close to authentic. Several people that have been kind enough to e-mail me say that the paint... MORE
Jim, I have a '59 that was old English White WT.3, with Cherry Red interior. Now Competition Yellow with Black interior. I can send you a piece of the orig. Cherry Red interior that you can match to the Moss seat kits if you wish. The Cherry Red exterior was RD.4 and came with the Cherry Red seats with White piping. The door seals and mats were also Cherry Red according to my " BMC Body Exterior and Main Trim Colour Combinations." I also have a listing that the Exterior color was ICI #3102 and Old Rinshed-Mason #U5553R....What ever... MORE
Hi I looked in my book by Porter, " 'Frogeye' Sprite - Super Profile" and on page 50 there are two pictures of a cherry red Frog with a red interior. The interior seems to match the paint well. But they only are pictures in a book.... I'd take it in a heart beat. Jon Subject: [midgetsprite] Cherry Red Bugeye w/ Red Interior - seeking info "Jon Paschke" 30439... MORE
Sounds like the start of a bad perverted e-mail. What a strange day this is... Saw a tubbed out S10 running around the streets. The Canadian Millitary (they have a millitary?) beat the US Marines to Haiti. My USPS Mail Lady just stopped by my house. No big deal, but it is Sunday... That explains the confused part. As far as the excited part, she was bringing my seat covers from Prestige Auto Trim on the other side of the pond. Covers look fantastic, and are nearly an exact match color and texture wise to the vinyl I am... MORE
I'm sitting in my recliner chair staring out the window when I hear a familiar sound . . . driving past the house is a bugeye sprite, same yellow color as my 73 .. .. ahhhhhhh by the time I got up and went out he was too far down the street to wave down. Only the second bugeye sprite I have see in Berkeley in the last 15 years . . . I hate that, missing the opportunity to meet someone local with a bugeye. Anyone in berkeley today driving a yellow bugeye? Don "Don May" 30368... MORE
Hi All, Some of you may have seen or remember the Ginetta that my friend Chuck has built over the last couple years. It is a G35 and only one of two I know about. This car is also on the official Ginnetta (UK) web site as " a V8 Ginetta in the USA". This car has extensive modifications that tremendously improve the design of the car and can easily state not only has the car a one of a kind (most are built with 4 cylinder Ford Pinto engines), but the quality of everything is top notch. Much... MORE
Try running a Lotus Elite (the real one, 1200 FWE), multiply the problems of a spridget by about 2000 and your are still only halfway there!. regular piston meltdowns, Headgasket failure, an electrical system that is the worlds only true 'random event' generator.. err the list is endless, but for about 5 mins every decade it all works, this is not a good thing as it only does it to taunt you and force you into spending even more money.. who says cars don't have souls.. pity most of them are evil! Mind you at least the elite does... MORE
Wise move I think Don May. MGA's are difficult to "get right" after the rust bug has gotten into their "L" frames (sill, rear door frame member), according to the article I read on rebuilding-restoring same in Classic Sports Cars. This guy should have taken better care of it...no doubt about it, Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 30295... MORE
Seems to me those who espouse the end of SS and allowing everyone to make their own retirement fund investments tend to forget that the vast majority of Americans, usually those who will depend on SS in their old age the most, are not savvy investors and are from families who have little or no history of financial savvy to inherit knowledge from. Social security is about security not maximum financial gain, investing potential retirement funds in the stock market which is a form of gambling with winners and losers one which even the most savvy investors often lose... MORE
The owner of the MGA after letting it sit under ripped up plastic tarps for twenty years, trapping moisture and rusting what was a good grill and paint on top, become a rat and squirrel condominium, and the grave yard for one raccoon, and had not even lifted up the tarp to look at it for years suddenly became delusional concerning its worth. No deal. Don "Don May" 30266... MORE
N ? didn't Prince do something like that . . . or is it a Napoleonic complex ? :-) Indeed thrifty. Can't stand to see anything thrown away that can be reasonably repaired. In mechanics and restoration there seems to be two schools of thought, those who throw away whole units rather than repair them and those who replace only the worn out parts. Observant that you are you certainly know which category I fit into . . . and most Cubans . . . out of necessity. My washing machine has a large computer board in it, should... MORE
