313 replies to this topic

[Ben_O]

Hi All.

 

The next restoration is underway here and this time it's an MG Midget.

 

Its a very good example with only fairly minor cosmetic issues that let it down.

 

It is going to have a full body respray, new Door skins, New sills and a new bonnet.

 

I shall also be refreshing the suspension as its a bit soggy at the moment.

 

we have had the car in storage here for a while now so the photos below are taken over that time.

 

 

 

 

The bonnet has been repaired at some stage and is starting to crack so a new bonnet is going to be in order

 

 

The doors are starting to break out along the bottoms so new skins and frame repairs will be carried out

 

 

 

 

And there are various scabby bits along the bottom of the car

 

 

 

 

After a strip down, I found more rust behind the wings but still pretty good overall

 

 

 

 

Off came the front panel which is in great condition apart from some surface rust

 

 

 

 

 

Then engine is next to come out.

 

Cheers

 

Ben

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Anthony30]

Not a bad start really.

[midridge2]

Hi Ben, I would highly recommend bracing the door gaps before you remove a cill. Midgets are notorious for bending when a cill is cut off. 

[Ben_O]

Hi Ben, I would highly recommend bracing the door gaps before you remove a cill. Midgets are notorious for bending when a cill is cut off. 

Cheers for the recommendation.

 

I shall be bracing

[Ben_O]

I got a bit more stripping done this afternoon.

 

I had a Mini to paint as well so i only got a few things done.

 

I removed the dashboard

 

 

Which then enabled me to remove the screen

 

 

And then i started removing the interior and took off the soft top

 

 

All pretty straightforward so far.

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[JDImini]

Hi Ben

 

Internet is playing ball this evening, so great to see the progress. Nice that the first photo has Jack's mini in the background.

 

As you've pulled the dash out can that be repainted with black crackle paint as I don't think that was on the list. Also thinking about fuel tank is that being taken off and checked as I know with my MGB the top of the tank rusted through as it was a great water trap between it and the boot floor

 

Thanks Darren

[Ben_O]

Hi Ben

 

Internet is playing ball this evening, so great to see the progress. Nice that the first photo has Jack's mini in the background.

 

As you've pulled the dash out can that be repainted with black crackle paint as I don't think that was on the list. Also thinking about fuel tank is that being taken off and checked as I know with my MGB the top of the tank rusted through as it was a great water trap between it and the boot floor

 

Thanks Darren

Hi Darren.

 

The dash had to come out to remove the screen and it will make painting the car easier too and i was actually thinking that it could do with a refresh.

 

I will most likely drop the tank to do the underside although I need to talk to you about that. Mainly to see if you do actually want it stripped back as discussed because it does infact look very good under there.

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[slidehammer]

Looking forward to this project Ben
As I am sure it will be a really informative, as all the other projects you have posted on here are.
I have a bit of a soft spot for the old A series Midgets as well.

[Shep76S]

Followed!

[Carlos W]

Followed!

Come and meet Ben and have a few ciders next time he's over.

[MrBounce]

Cracking work as usual Ben - i will be taking a look at this one as I love a Midget 

[JDImini]

 

Hi Ben

 

Internet is playing ball this evening, so great to see the progress. Nice that the first photo has Jack's mini in the background.

 

As you've pulled the dash out can that be repainted with black crackle paint as I don't think that was on the list. Also thinking about fuel tank is that being taken off and checked as I know with my MGB the top of the tank rusted through as it was a great water trap between it and the boot floor

 

Thanks Darren

Hi Darren.

 

The dash had to come out to remove the screen and it will make painting the car easier too and i was actually thinking that it could do with a refresh.

 

I will most likely drop the tank to do the underside although I need to talk to you about that. Mainly to see if you do actually want it stripped back as discussed because it does infact look very good under there.

 

Cheers

 

Ben

 

Hi Ben, being a bit slow on the uptake are you talking about not stripping back the whole of the underside or just not under the fuel tank? I think the whole underside should be stripped back even if it looks OK as its the only time it's going to be done

 

by the way I'll try and speak to Peter May tomorrow 

cheers

Darren

[JDImini]

Hi Ben I've spoken to Peter May and they suggest poly bushes, negative camber trunions, 400 lbs rated springs and uprated 5/8" anti roll bar so I'll be raiding the piggy bank over the weekend and you'll get a box of of nice shiny bits later in the week 

[Ben_O]

Hi Ben I've spoken to Peter May and they suggest poly bushes, negative camber trunions, 400 lbs rated springs and uprated 5/8" anti roll bar so I'll be raiding the piggy bank over the weekend and you'll get a box of of nice shiny bits later in the week 

Excellent.

 

I shall look forward to having a look when it arrives

[JDImini]

Hi Ben,

 

didn't get around to ordering the kit today will try tomorrow