28 replies to this topic

[smudger]

Anyone owned one?

What are they like to drive?

Seen any for sale?

Lots of info inc links please peeps!

[Ethel]

Still do,

Hasn't been on the road in a while though.

[smudger]

well a bit more info than that, lol

[Ethel]

What do you want to know?

I bought mine out of curiosity really, only cost me £600 with a full year's test it was a trade in at a local dealers.

Big joke that anyone would give it an mot it was shagged really. Even so I was highly impressed.

[smudger]

whats up with it?

did you drive it? if so what was it like?

Big and roomy?

[Ethel]

Yeah ran it for about a year until I the engine finally gave in a stuck a conrod through the back of the block.

Roomy is one thing you could never describe it as!

Did manage to get 4 in it once - those in the back had their chins on their knees 'n heads pushed into the back of the seats .

There'd be zero gap between the front seats (lol, like there are back seats!) and doors 'n a couple of inches if you're lucky between them. The roof is a crafty bit of design as no matter what angle I have the seat reclined at my head misses it by about 1/4". Least it would if some plank hadn't previously fitted a sunroof, but at least I can open it and stick my head out a bit . There is plenty of leg room though!

Best thing about it is the drive. I never managed to persuade it to let go in corners and the suspension had loads of play 'n 155 x 12 tyres. Coilovers on the back give a slightly more refined ride than a Mini too.

Mine had a 998 A+ with a 12g 295 head, lcb.. but it was pretty knackered even so it'd just about get up to a ton.

Like most kitcars they have some faults but certainly nothing you can't sort if you put the work in. And of course not rust.

[Ethel]

My turn for a question any good tips for buying resin and carbon fibre cloth Smudger?

[smudger]

fit a clubman front in the back?

i have always liked mini based kit cars (hence i own one) and like the bronze mk1 but the mk2 has a better front (well for me) and have never been in one but have always liked em.

so what you doing with yours?

[Retro_10s]

Previously the Midas Bronze, the Mini-based project was sold to Midtec after GTM acquired Midas, see below for pic.


this one's a beauty...

Edited by Retro_10s, 21 July 2007 - 05:51 PM.

[smudger]

yeah been on that website.

but it dont tell you what it feels like to drive, or if they are comfy etc

ethel, gather you keeping then!

[Ethel]

Think the black one is Gold. That's to say Metro based. There used to be a black Bronze near me I think they're too small to look good in black. The white one looks good.


Two themes for mine - the longest lasting rebuild project must be 7 years so far!

...and a Metro turbo conversion.

I enjoy pottering around on it too much, but I suppose I'd better crack on before I swap my driving licence for a bus pass.

[Ethel]

Yep become quite attached. It's part of the furniture - perhaps a bit too literally

[smudger]

lol

i know the feeling about projects, mozzie needs doing, but since its a toy i can wait.

[Ethel]

Driving a Midas,

Handles very well, well it is more or less a mini, if anything it's even better at sticking to the tarmac.

Peculiarly it feels like a slightly bigger car than a Mini, probably due to being sat lower in relation to the body and the longer front. Vision is fine, including through the mirrors, as long as you're going forwards. It is awkward to reverse, I took to holding the driver's door open as you can see precious little through the rear hatch and the windows are too small to put your head through!

Position of the controls can be slightly off but you can sort that. Mine has a SD1 steering column so I can position the wheel where I want. The pedals are ok but I might tweak the angle of the foot pads a little. The accelerator needs work - very close to wheel arch. Shortened the Hand brake cable and used a Metro gear selector to put the lever a bit further back. Might add a quickshift too. That said it's quite comfortable and relaxed once you've managed to squeeze yourself in.


Being so low does make reading the road interesting if you're in traffic as you've now chance of looking through other car's glass. Being on the same level as most headlights can also be a little annoying at night!

[smudger]

sounds abit like a TT, terrible to reverse due to rear window and lousy mirrors.

my mozzie is low and suffers same problem with headlights.

but would a clubman front fit in the back?