Trick Midget Mk1 Racecar

[CurtisJ]

Do you ever - maybe just for a moment - imagine your Spridget is a racecar?

Maybe you daydream about getting out onto a racetrack one day?

What would it take to make your car safe, reliable and competitive in that environment?

This article details the construction of one of America's quickest Spridget vintage racecars:
A close-up look at two-time SVRA Champion Harry Gentry's 1962 MG Midget Racecar!

Enjoy!

 

[Boink]

Nice car!

 

[jlaird]

Good stuff.

 

[aeronca65t]

Nice!

I have the same 2X4 dead pedal in my car.

It's interesting to read that he uses 1st gear at Watkins Glen. In my stock, wide-ratio box, I hardly use 3rd at The Glen.

 

[Guest]

Do you ever - maybe just for a moment - imagine your Spridget is a racecar?

I have no such delusions whatsoever. :wink:

 

[58Custom]

Why the 1/4 elliptic springs?

 

[aeronca65t]

Why the 1/4 elliptic springs?

There's a point of view that says the earlier cars with 1/4 elliptic springs offer greater axle control. And perhaps, in a theoretical sense, they do.

Honestly, I've raced Spridgets with 1/4 and 1/2 elliptic and at least in my view, they aren't much different (assuming good tires, panhard rod, etc).

I've also driven and owned street Spridget in both styles. Again, if in good condition, they aren't a lot different.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I beg to differ ... on a street car there is a huge difference in the 1/4 elliptical and the semi elliptical. In a nutshell the semi's are a much better ride, but not as predictable in corners. The 1/4's ride like crap, but are very predictable.

 

[AN5Sprite]

The 1/4's ride like crap,...

I respectfully disagree. :cowboy:

 

[nomad]

I agree with Trevor. Like the handleing of the BE the best but don't like the problem I have with bottoming out I seem to have with the BE. Chuck holes mainly but my back ain't in the best shape. Anyone have a good overload spring set up for a 1/4 car??

Kurt.

 

[jlaird]

Back in the day. About 1965 my Bugeye could and did beat any square body, PERIOD.

Race after race, month after month, quite fun actually.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

If it is bottoming out frequently, then the springs are probably worn out. I installed a set of "rally spec" springs, but I removed a few leafs and wedged them so that I have a stock ride height and similar spring rate.

Let me rephrase my statement: MY 1/4 elliptical spridget rides much worse than MY semi-elliptical spridget.

 

[AN5Sprite]

Let me rephrase me statement: MY 1/4 elliptical spridget rides much worse than MY semi-elliptical spridget.

...thats better.

 

[nomad]

If it is bottoming out frequently, then the springs are probably worn out. I installed a set of "rally spec" springs, but I removed a few leafs and wedged them so that I have a stock ride height and similar spring rate.

Let me rephrase my statement: MY 1/4 elliptical spridget rides much worse than MY semi-elliptical spridget.

Actually my BE has very low miles and the springs look like new. When I got the car a previous owner had apparently slid into something and the car 'dog tracked'. I completely disassembled the springs, cleaned them and repainted them while I was curing the 'dog-track'. I'm thinking the original's were a bit soft which I don't mind. I just don't like the limited travel and the pain associated with bottoming them!

I'm thinking of drilling a large hole in the rubber block that is the current stop and inserting a stiff coil spring to take up some of the force before it contacts the block.

Kurt.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I considered all sorts of fixes, but in the end I purchased new springs. Then I experimented with all sorts of leaf combinations until I found what seems correct. My car will still bottom out on occasion, but it takes a pretty substantial bump. They might be a bit stiffer than original, but I'm certainly not feeling every pebble in the road.

 

[jlaird]

Should not bottom out. I have never in over 30 years had it happen. Autocross, track racing, street racing, and off road. Yep off road.

I suggest your springs are week or something. Should never bottom.