32 replies to this topic

[l_jonez]

Thought I'd stick up a thread for my latest project a Midas!

A little back story as this Midas was built by my father back in 81-82, he used it for a few years but then along came marriage and me so he sold it to a local guy in the same car club who used it for a few years until 1988 when he tucked it away in his garage until last week when I bought it back

Anyway some pics

Amazingly comfy Paddy Hopkirk seats
Original cooper engine needs to go back in
Also the original 12x6 cosmics need some new rubber


A full rebuild is on the cards, its not really needed but I like to make work for myself

Edited by l_jonez, 06 June 2015 - 09:12 PM.

[Midas Mk1]

Nice Mk2! Those tyres are beasty aha! Nice to see more Midas' returning recently!

[peter-b]

I really love the mini kit cars, it's something we never had over here. Well vertually none anyway, the stupid transport rules took care of that, idiots......(note to self) don't start on about that.

 

We want lots of pictures and updates, please keep it as per original.

[l_jonez]

Well at the moment its project number 3 so progress will be slow if not non existent for a while.
Current plan is to return it to the spec my father built it. Not sure on the colour though. A few items need to be sourced ... Webber etc. He has some photos of it being built which will be used as reference.

[Ethel]

I was about to say I like the colour! It's not one of the typical Gel coat staples and I think a light, reflective finish is best at picking up the moulding details that compensate for the otherwise van like side profile.

[peter-b]

Change the colour?

 And whats wrong with 1970's beige?

[MrBounce]

I love this! It feels like my one now has some company. Hopefully yours won't be as terrifyingly bad as mine was when I stripped it!!

 

I don't like the beige either. However, it does look like the one Gordon Murray posed with (different reg though...)

 

[l_jonez]

Bit of an update, I've started to strip the Midas

Banded steels 12x7 mmmmm



Dash out


Engine bay stripped, a quick wipe down shows the original unfaded gel coat



Galvanised rear beam


Tank out


Next step is to drop the front subframe and rear beam

[l_jonez]

Well the glass is out which means its time for paint prep


Need to decide on engine choice, I've got a spare Nissan engine so I might give that a go.

Edited by l_jonez, 25 September 2015 - 10:02 PM.

[megamini_jb]

I would love one of these at some point, look forward to updates

Edited by megamini_jb, 25 September 2015 - 09:32 PM.

[l_jonez]

Well the rear beam etc is out and its as good as the day it was made


The rear suspension is off, there's no identification numbers etc so I have no idea who made them

Any ideas?

Also I've glassed over all of the holes on the bulkhead from the rear as I'll be re-routing all the wiring and hoses

[l_jonez]

Had a spare hour after the rugby so started to strip down the front subframe....

The award for "way to long bolts" goes to - the previous owner


Followed by the award for the "worst possible use of cable ties"


Also a capttive bolt for the shocks has sheard off inside the crossmember

I'll be trying to fit a Micra engine

[l_jonez]

Front subframe is out and thank God I can get to the snapped off captive bolt through the tower bolt hole, it will be a pain in the peach but should be fixable

 

Also I stuck the engine in place, with clearance on the rack and the manifold lining up with the tunnel it puts the engine here

 

 

Obviously it will move a bit once it's in a frame but it looks like it will be close but possible

[MrBounce]

The Midas design for the damper mountings is appalling. I've made my own from a piece of 3mm steel with welded captive bolts. My old ones were bolts with rusty d-shaped washers.

[l_jonez]

Turbo arrived today

It's going to be tight up front