the little midget history

The Little Midget The Little Midget HistoryHistory

A record of the complete A record of the complete restoration of a great British restoration of a great British

Classic.Classic.

What we found!What we found! After a long search, a suitable vehicle After a long search, a suitable vehicle

was found which, not only we could was found which, not only we could really use all of our skills on but really use all of our skills on but really deserved the restoration.really deserved the restoration.

This 1970 Tax exempt 1275 MG This 1970 Tax exempt 1275 MG midget was found in a garage in midget was found in a garage in Sunderland. The owner had bought Sunderland. The owner had bought the car from new, had taken it off the the car from new, had taken it off the road in 1982 and garaged it ever road in 1982 and garaged it ever since. He was willing to allow us to since. He was willing to allow us to restore his pride and joy in his name restore his pride and joy in his name for someone else to enjoy! for someone else to enjoy!

The MG Midget basic chassis had The MG Midget basic chassis had remained the same for almost ten remained the same for almost ten years at the time of this vehicles years at the time of this vehicles manufacture, the A-series 1275ccc manufacture, the A-series 1275ccc engine installed in the later versions engine installed in the later versions of this car, are widely regarded as of this car, are widely regarded as the best of the Midget’s 20 year the best of the Midget’s 20 year history.history.

First came removal of the First came removal of the engine & gearbox!engine & gearbox!

Next the nosecone & front Next the nosecone & front wings…wings…

The rear axel was easily dropped as one, The rear axel was easily dropped as one, leaving a basic chassis for inspection.leaving a basic chassis for inspection.

The inspection showed a little The inspection showed a little work to be done!!!work to be done!!!

But we’d known this was But we’d known this was coming so we got stuck in!coming so we got stuck in!

A bit of fresh metal and a lot of A bit of fresh metal and a lot of sweat later we were ready to start sweat later we were ready to start

rust prevention and priming.rust prevention and priming.

Easiest way to the bottom is Easiest way to the bottom is to go from the side!to go from the side!

Once coated in rust Once coated in rust inhibitor & red oxide inhibitor & red oxide

primer, the floor pan is primer, the floor pan is under sealed with several under sealed with several

coats of Schultz coats of Schultz

Next came the bodywork, Next came the bodywork, again rust inhibitor & red again rust inhibitor & red

oxide were used ….oxide were used ….

Then an etch primer.Then an etch primer.

After this it was time to After this it was time to move on to mechanicals, move on to mechanicals,

starting with the rear axel!starting with the rear axel!The rear axle was stripped and rebuilt with new bearings, ½ elliptic rear springs, brake shoes and internal springs.

The engine was stripped.The engine was stripped.

Then off to the body shop Then off to the body shop for the professional paint for the professional paint

finish. finish.

Engine and gearbox, rebuilt Engine and gearbox, rebuilt and painted with care and and painted with care and

attention.attention.

All engine ancillaries such as carburettors, dynamo etc, were also stripped and rebuilt with relevant new seals/gaskets, oil & air filters.

The start of the rebuild!The start of the rebuild!

First stage engine and gearbox, followed by rear axel and pedal box.

Next the front suspension Next the front suspension and brake lines put in and brake lines put in

place.place.New copper brake lines & hoses, new suspension springs, brake pads & discs, new bushes and gaskets throughout all ensure the mechanical longevity of this vehicle

Next the wheels, wings and Next the wheels, wings and windscreen!windscreen!

We decided that brand new Minilite alloy wheels were the only way to set of this beautiful little car.

The rear lights, a new The rear lights, a new exhaust and fuel pump are exhaust and fuel pump are

fitted.fitted.

And the engine bay And the engine bay continues to slowly fill!continues to slowly fill!

A brand new battery, fuse box, coil, leads and distributor internals keep the ignition system in perfect tune.

A full set of brand new cooling hoses, reconditioned radiator and heater matrix will keep the temperature gauge at the nominal level.

Panel work and front lights Panel work and front lights were next!were next!

The front wings are original period fibreglass, purchased at the time the car was garaged, though you can’t tell from the fantastic Blue Royale paintwork!

The dash looks fantastic The dash looks fantastic repainted in the original repainted in the original

wrinkle paint!wrinkle paint!

Not an easy job to get right unless the correct amount of care is taken!

And the chrome bumpers And the chrome bumpers really set off the exterior of really set off the exterior of

the vehicle!the vehicle!

Add a steering wheel & Add a steering wheel & seats and you almost seats and you almost

believe it’s a car!believe it’s a car!

A Moto-lita steering wheel with MG centrepiece sets off the driver position beautifully!

Opted for the totally original vinyl seats, static seat belts and all new interior panels.