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1500, really that bad?
- Thread starter CLynn85
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RickB
Yoda
Offline
Hap, I totally agree.
There are some things most of us might wish they did differently with the 1500's but all in all they are great little cars. Personally I believe it would have been nice if they had continued the round wheel arch in the post 74 cars and left the underlying sheet metal more the same (under the rubber).
The 1500 Midget is a great little car, easily modified to your hearts content, not too many people out there have a fit if you make changes to it (because they simply don't care enough about the post 74 cars IMHO) and there are plenty of parts still available to do whatever you want to the car.
Add to that the somewhat newer bits & pieces - bushings and such in a 78 or 79 car will tend to be a bit fresher than those in an early 60's specimen. Also I'd feel a little (tiny) bit better if my kid was driving a car with all the rubber baby buggy bumpers attached than not. I don't know what kind of real world difference those things make in a wreck but it seems they can't hurt.
My choice was to pull off all the rubber and go with earlier styling.
My car runs strong, is capable of 100+ mph and is a heck of a lot of fun to drive.
I get positive (sometimes adoring) comments practically every time I take it out anywhere so I know I'm doing my bit for the marquee and maybe brightening the days of a few folks along the way.
There are a lot of benefits, not the least of which is getting to feel like I belong to some really great groups like the Spridgeteers here at BCF.
I've met a few fellow BCF'rs in person, done a few trades and received way more than I've been able to give. Whenever I have a problem with a car that I can't figure out this is the first place I come, because I know someone will be here who can at least commiserate if not just have the answer I need right away. More times than not the answer comes right away and at least I learn something and get my car back up and running.
We all should want more people to own the RB cars, there are a lot of them out there available and the cost is usually low and most of them can be made into runners pretty quick & cheap if they are not already drivers.
Those new owners will add more to our community by simply coming and asking questions, soon they will be contributing answers and stories. And the little cars will have loving owners.
There are some things most of us might wish they did differently with the 1500's but all in all they are great little cars. Personally I believe it would have been nice if they had continued the round wheel arch in the post 74 cars and left the underlying sheet metal more the same (under the rubber).
The 1500 Midget is a great little car, easily modified to your hearts content, not too many people out there have a fit if you make changes to it (because they simply don't care enough about the post 74 cars IMHO) and there are plenty of parts still available to do whatever you want to the car.
Add to that the somewhat newer bits & pieces - bushings and such in a 78 or 79 car will tend to be a bit fresher than those in an early 60's specimen. Also I'd feel a little (tiny) bit better if my kid was driving a car with all the rubber baby buggy bumpers attached than not. I don't know what kind of real world difference those things make in a wreck but it seems they can't hurt.
My choice was to pull off all the rubber and go with earlier styling.
My car runs strong, is capable of 100+ mph and is a heck of a lot of fun to drive.
I get positive (sometimes adoring) comments practically every time I take it out anywhere so I know I'm doing my bit for the marquee and maybe brightening the days of a few folks along the way.
There are a lot of benefits, not the least of which is getting to feel like I belong to some really great groups like the Spridgeteers here at BCF.
I've met a few fellow BCF'rs in person, done a few trades and received way more than I've been able to give. Whenever I have a problem with a car that I can't figure out this is the first place I come, because I know someone will be here who can at least commiserate if not just have the answer I need right away. More times than not the answer comes right away and at least I learn something and get my car back up and running.
We all should want more people to own the RB cars, there are a lot of them out there available and the cost is usually low and most of them can be made into runners pretty quick & cheap if they are not already drivers.
Those new owners will add more to our community by simply coming and asking questions, soon they will be contributing answers and stories. And the little cars will have loving owners.
H
highhilleer
Guest
Guest
Offline
JPSmit said:jlaird said:
Astonishing to me too. Ain't nobody calls me Mr.
Besides it's Reverend :angel:
I didn't mean to offend anyone. In the future, I'll try to keep my manners in check :wink:
On another note, this weekend the wife and I took our 79 Midget and 68 Mustang to a local park. We found parking spots next to each other and stood back and watched as people walked by and ogled the cars. Since I'm posting on this site it shouldn't be too difficult to guess which car got the most attention. The public may not know what a Midget is, but they appreciate the lines!!!
Well said Hap, RickB, Morris, I have fought prejudices in the street rod business for years now. Seems there are always folks who look down their noses at others who don't follow the in crowd or can't afford the most popular breed. I applaud the owner of any LBC that I see or work on. I love all of them, even the worst are fun to drive. Go for it highhilleer !!
Steve P.
Jedi Hopeful
Offline
I was in a position to buy a *really* nice 1500 Midget
earlier this summer for dirt cheap. Never having owned
one, and hearing all of the bashing, I almost didn't
buy it. I'm glad I did! I've had (and in some cases
still have) all versions of Spridgets, so I'm familiar
with the critters.
Here are the major differences, besides the funky
bumpers;
* its got a real (unfortunatly Lucas) electrical system
that will drive you nuts....all switches on mine were bad
* funky plastic clutch hose
* thrust bearings that can fall out (not indexed)
The good points are its a bit safer (funky bumpers
*and* stronger mounts front and rear), and they are
cheap now. Parts are available, which is why they
will be around in a couple of decades, or more.
I remember when MGA's were unloved and were being
sold for under $500 (running, driveable). There were
too many around, and they didn't have the charm of the
T-series MG's, so no one wanted them. Try to find
one now for under $8K! The exact same
thing will happen to the 1500 Midgets, Spitfires and
GT6's eventually.
earlier this summer for dirt cheap. Never having owned
one, and hearing all of the bashing, I almost didn't
buy it. I'm glad I did! I've had (and in some cases
still have) all versions of Spridgets, so I'm familiar
with the critters.
Here are the major differences, besides the funky
bumpers;
* its got a real (unfortunatly Lucas) electrical system
that will drive you nuts....all switches on mine were bad
* funky plastic clutch hose
* thrust bearings that can fall out (not indexed)
The good points are its a bit safer (funky bumpers
*and* stronger mounts front and rear), and they are
cheap now. Parts are available, which is why they
will be around in a couple of decades, or more.
I remember when MGA's were unloved and were being
sold for under $500 (running, driveable). There were
too many around, and they didn't have the charm of the
T-series MG's, so no one wanted them. Try to find
one now for under $8K! The exact same
thing will happen to the 1500 Midgets, Spitfires and
GT6's eventually.
BugEyeBear
Jedi Trainee
Offline
There are plenty of 1500 owners out there who absolutely love their cars.
Yes, there is the thrust washer possible issue, but this has been well-documented & with proper preventative maintenance shouldn't limit a car's engine life.
In short, if you find a car you like, that has been well-maintained, with little rust, at a price that seems reasonable, & that your wife/girlfriend likes TOO, then go ahead & buy it!
Enjoy it, drive it, expect to spend time (& $$$) repairing/maintaining it (like ANY vintage British car...), & don't ever regret your decision!!
OH, but if you do buy a Spridget w a 1500 do expect to receive a little ribbing from some 1275 owners.... They evidently enjoy having SOMEONE to pick on...
Just remember that there are PLENTY of Triumph owners out there who wouldn't trade their cars for anything!! Thrust washers and all!! :thumbsup:
"Cheers!"
-Bear-
Yes, there is the thrust washer possible issue, but this has been well-documented & with proper preventative maintenance shouldn't limit a car's engine life.
In short, if you find a car you like, that has been well-maintained, with little rust, at a price that seems reasonable, & that your wife/girlfriend likes TOO, then go ahead & buy it!
Enjoy it, drive it, expect to spend time (& $$$) repairing/maintaining it (like ANY vintage British car...), & don't ever regret your decision!!
OH, but if you do buy a Spridget w a 1500 do expect to receive a little ribbing from some 1275 owners.... They evidently enjoy having SOMEONE to pick on...
Just remember that there are PLENTY of Triumph owners out there who wouldn't trade their cars for anything!! Thrust washers and all!! :thumbsup:
"Cheers!"
-Bear-
terriphill
Darth Vader
Offline
My 77 midget was a 1500 and I LOVED it! Yes, I heard all the stuff about the 1500 not being this or that but I had it rebuilt by the BEST LBC mechanics around, I took care of it and it never failed to start or get me where I wanted to go. It drove strong and as fast as I wanted it to go.
I think with regular maintenance and care...the 1500 is a good solid motor, let it sit for years on end with no care...you are going to have problems.
The 1500 Midgets are rare around here (I was the only one in my club) and I hope to have another one day.
I think with regular maintenance and care...the 1500 is a good solid motor, let it sit for years on end with no care...you are going to have problems.
The 1500 Midgets are rare around here (I was the only one in my club) and I hope to have another one day.