1963 Midget Dash

[tony barnhill]

Did or did not the '63 Midget have a passenger grip handle?

"The Original...." says no - only Austin Healey's had them.

But my dash has 2 factory holes 5-3/8" apart into which there's a grab handle - think its a PO aftermarket addition?

 

[Bugeye58]

Tony, my '63 has the MG logo where the grab handle goes. As the dash panels were the same between the Sprites and Midgets, it could well be either a dealer installed item, or one added by the owner.
Jeff

 

[mccalebr]

Tony, I can't say for sure, but believe the handle on the Sprites went on at the factory and that the handle on a Midget was not factory installed.

Theres a Mk I Midget brochure (and others) on my web site (www.raysmg.com - follow the "Documentation" link) that has some good detail...here's one page from it:

Here's a photo of the dash of my '62 Sprite which I would think was original; note, the script/logo is horizontal (for both) below the handle:

When disassembling my '62 Sprite I found some interesting stuff on the back of the dash when I removed it; factory grease pencil markings. Seems the same part could have been pulled and used to complete a Sprite or Midget and that the markings indicated which (Sprite or Midget...other photos of this on my site), color, and whether it was a home or export vehicle. Here's a photo of the holes for the handle (radio knockout below) which would have been there for both a Sprite or Midget, with the vinyl covering on the Midget.

I love a good mystery! Hope this helps!

Ray

 

[tony barnhill]

Kinda what I thought...handle was added after-the-fact...so, it goes on the "Used Parts" shelf for some AH guy!

Now I've gotta find the little MG logo!

 

[64rocksprite]

Tony,
Don't mean to hi-jack your thread...but the original ad Ray posted is a perfect opportunity for me..
Does anyone happen to have the cockpit trim pieces that make the turn behind the door (right above the top/tonneau frame mounts) that are shown above in the ad? I have bought about 3 sets now..all about 1/2"-3/4" too short (from a roll-up window '65+ I guess..?) or they are the BE-style flat aluminum.
I have my trim done with the exception of these pieces..
greatly appreciate it if anyone has a line on these...been watching e-bay forever with no luck. They are somewhat rare I think..the rounded vinyl covered trim BEFORE roll-up windows.
I have several aluminum cockpit trim pieces if someone wants a trade!

Thanks all!
Devin

 

[tony barnhill]

Devin - good addition...now, tell me: how'd you get those little things things off? Better yet, how do you plan on getting them back on? They're the only thing I couldn't get off - the front bolt is just in a "can't get to place"...hope the body shop can get to them!

 

[64rocksprite]

Tony,
You mean the one closest to the door?
I'm not sure if its stock, but I think that is the one that has a screwhead that is visible, the rest of the bolts are hidden in 'rail' on backside of trim. I am guessing due to the lack of access to turn a wrench in there, as you indicated. I was able to get a wrench on the nut though (it is also down in the body with the new ones /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/rolleyes.gif ..see below!)
There is a trick to putting them back on...
Take the wrench (3/16" or 1/4" I think?) and place a piece of duct tape over one side of the box end to create a 'bucket' for the nut to sit in and carefully manuver into place...no, I haven't figured out how to get a lock washer on it yet! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif I have removed the old flat aluminum ones..and re-installed an incorrect one...I think there are now 2 nuts down in the body somewhere! (before the duct tape idea!)

Did the same thing to get my new top snap studs on ..ugh those were harder than the trim I think.

If you come across a pair of these trim pieces..please keep me in mind!! I don't want to come to the Ozarks without trim!!

I'll be sending you a parts list soon..for small misc bits and pieces.

Have fun!
Devin

 

[rulle7]

Vinyl covered trim pieces can be created from regular bondo.
Put some cling film where the trim will go ( so the bondo comes off ), apply bondo and shape it roughly into the correct shape.
File, sand and fill until just right, cover with vinyl and
you should have what you're looking for.
Did this with an old Toyota Celica long ago, couldn't tell the original from the 'copy'.

 

[jlaird]

Why that's just sneaky, good on ya.

 

[tony barnhill]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]I'm not sure if its stock, but I think that is the one that has a screwhead that is visible...[/QUOTE]
On mine, both the little studs are behind & there's nothing showing - no screwheads!....its grooved & the studs slide just like all the other surround pieces