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Author: Subject: Poll - To Buy or Not To Buy, That is the Question
beagley

posted on 15/5/12 at 01:54 PM Reply With Quote
Poll - To Buy or Not To Buy, That is the Question

A while ago SWMBO told me that she wouldn't mind working on a "classic" car. I perked up because she doesn't really like cars, and my initial thought was she meant muscle car (we are Americans mind you), BUT... much to my dismay she was in fact referring to older classic "British" cars. I was elated!

Been doing some shopping and found this gem about 30 min from me.

Possible Project?
Possible Project?
Engine Looks Good
Engine Looks Good
Interior looks good
Interior looks good
How many miles?
How many miles?


Here is a YouTube clip of the engine running. It sounded like there were no issues mechanically at all. Its a '78 and the interior looked pretty good. Had 54k miles and everything looked to be in good nick. It needs a new top, and most likely an alternator as the guy took the charger off the battery while it was running and the car died.

Its priced a little high at $5,000 and it needs some work, but what MG doesn't right. I want to offer $3,000 since the top, alternator, etc. need to be replaced/repaired. Am I wasting my time, is this a good project, should I even bother?





I'm not scared!!! I'm just marking my territory.

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scudderfish

posted on 15/5/12 at 01:55 PM Reply With Quote
You could drop a V8 in there......
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coozer

posted on 15/5/12 at 01:57 PM Reply With Quote
You need to get rid of them 'orrid bumpers as well...





1972 V8 Jago

1980 Z750

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scudderfish

posted on 15/5/12 at 01:57 PM Reply With Quote
Or even a 4x4 V8

http://www.rhel.co.uk/articles/midget/midget.htm

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AllWeatherDan

posted on 15/5/12 at 01:59 PM Reply With Quote
Always hated those bumpers!

Chrome

mmmmmmmmmm





There is no such thing as a stupid question.

Just the ones I ask!

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MakeEverything

posted on 15/5/12 at 02:00 PM Reply With Quote
For that sort of money, you could get a chrome bumper RWA (Round wheel arch) midget 1275.

I would hold off and look for one a bit better priced.





Kindest Regards,
Richard.

...You can make it foolProof, but youll never make it Idiot Proof!...

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MakeEverything

posted on 15/5/12 at 02:01 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by scudderfish
You could drop a V8 in there......


People have in the past. Saw a few when i had mine, and on the 'club scene'.





Kindest Regards,
Richard.

...You can make it foolProof, but youll never make it Idiot Proof!...

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bartonp

posted on 15/5/12 at 02:01 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by beagley
A while ago SWMBO told me that she wouldn't mind working on a "classic" car. I perked up because she doesn't really like cars, and my initial thought was she meant muscle car (we are Americans mind you), BUT... much to my dismay she was in fact referring to older classic "British" cars. I was elated!

Been doing some shopping and found this gem about 30 min from me.

Possible Project?
Possible Project?
Engine Looks Good
Engine Looks Good
Interior looks good
Interior looks good
How many miles?
How many miles?


Here is a YouTube clip of the engine running. It sounded like there were no issues mechanically at all. Its a '78 and the interior looked pretty good. Had 54k miles and everything looked to be in good nick. It needs a new top, and most likely an alternator as the guy took the charger off the battery while it was running and the car died.

Its priced a little high at $5,000 and it needs some work, but what MG doesn't right. I want to offer $3,000 since the top, alternator, etc. need to be replaced/repaired. Am I wasting my time, is this a good project, should I even bother?


That's the 1500 Triumph engine - known to be weak.
The 1275 'A' series was better.
Not an issue if you are swapping it out for something interesting though... :-)

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beagley

posted on 15/5/12 at 02:38 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by bartonp
The 1275 'A' series was better.
Not an issue if you are swapping it out for something interesting though... :-)


Sorry bartonp I never got to read your post. Actually never made it past the avatar..



Wasn't planning on doing any kind of swapping with it, just something fun to drive around in. I'm wanting something to tinker on so and get more intimate with the different aspects of rebuild/restoring a car. I don't want a full on restoration project, but I would like for some things to be in need of a tinker. I've seen another Midget locally to me and I'm going to contact the seller about it.

Regarding the 1275 'A' series, what should I look for with that? Anything to let me know its a 1275 vs the 1500. I was amazed at how small that engine was.... then I remember the Moss Motors supercharger system that is made specifically for MG Midgets so that's always an option.

Beags





I'm not scared!!! I'm just marking my territory.

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Steve Hignett

posted on 15/5/12 at 02:51 PM Reply With Quote
I've always known the 1275 to be a much better engine than the 1500.

I agree with most of the above (apart from the V8 transplant - an MG Midget will be a good little project that won't spend all it's life being converted in a garage), yet I also feel that, that is overpriced.

It just seems so much more than what I'm used to and I know that MG weren't shy in exporting their cars to america.
I mean that was the whole reason for the stupid rubber bumpers in the first place!!!

If it were my choice then I would say it's prob a good car to get you started in the MG type of car, and as long as you check out that restored examples are going for a lot more than that one, then you could go ahead and sell it on a year or so later.
However, I'd prefer a scarlet red 1275 personally...

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scootz

posted on 15/5/12 at 02:54 PM Reply With Quote
I also think it's overpriced a fair bit (but only relative to the UK market... I have no idea what these cars fetch in the States).

Thery do have bags of character though, so would applaud your purchase if you can get it for sub-$3k.





It's Evolution Baby!

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beagley

posted on 15/5/12 at 02:58 PM Reply With Quote
Then there is always this option.

[Edited on 5/15/2012 by beagley]





I'm not scared!!! I'm just marking my territory.

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bartonp

posted on 15/5/12 at 03:05 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by beagley
Then there is always this option.

[Edited on 5/15/2012 by beagley]

MGB looks nice for the same money!

A-Series 1275 is smaller again, has oil breather cap on rocker cover at the other end....

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scootz

posted on 15/5/12 at 03:25 PM Reply With Quote
Now you're talking... I love B!!!!





It's Evolution Baby!

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designer

posted on 15/5/12 at 04:13 PM Reply With Quote
The Midget is a brilliant 'girlie' car.

Compared to UK sounds expensive, would think you could buy a fully restored, chrome bumper, model and import from the UK for nearly the same money.

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deltron63

posted on 15/5/12 at 09:19 PM Reply With Quote
Or you could spend a year doing this
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