Advice for looking at a 79 Midget 1500

[Guest]

Nial & Trevor - Thank you for the information on checking the thrust washer on a 1500. I will check the end play on my engine.

Thanks again

 

[Baz]

MGLess, that car looks rather good, under the hood everything appears to be in place and original.
If I ever get another spridget, it will be the 74 model year, last year of chrome bumpers, round wheel arches and 1275 motors. As Drew and Steve allured to, they are somewhat desireable.
However, I didn't pay THAT much for mine, but that one looks to have a good interior and hood, roof, whatever.
Let us know about it!!! Good luck!!!

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I'd get some detailed pictures of that car. Like the lower door hinge. I'm guessing it has been resprayed, and it would be good to be able to determine if the body work was done properly or just a cover up. From the pictures it looks like a good $4200 car IMO. However, if the bodywork is truely solid or properly repaired it could be a $5500 car.

 

[DrEntropy]

Wondered but can't be sure from the engine bay shot... it ~appears~ the color is different, but photos DO lie. I'd say I agree with Trev: it looks like it was reshot, but not enough pix of the "right places" to tell if it was properly prepped.

 

[mgless]

He is sending me some more pictures, so we'll see. I guess it has a rust bubble about the size of a dime by the drivers door. From what I understand, bubbles are usually from the inside out, so...

He said it hadn't been resprayed from what he could tell. He had it for 12 years.

 

[mgless]

Oh, yeah, also looked at that 79 today. It seemed to run quite well and the underside was rust free....

But just about every other panel on the car had rust forming on the seams.

 

[mgless]

Okay, here are the pics of rust he sent me. Seems like a lot, given the price. Opinions? Am I expecting too much?

The rest of the car looks nice.

 

[jlaird]

My word, you call that rust?

 

[mgless]

So you're saying I'm being to picky for the price? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[Trevor Jessie]

No, it looks as if the car has had a respray without properly removing rust and rot.
I would not buy the car without a thorough inspection from someone familiar with body work. It may be full of fiberglass where there should be metal.
A good picture of that lower door hinge where it attaches to the A-post might tell something more about the car.

 

[Baz]

There's more rust on my lug nuts than on that car!
This is the 74 right?

 

[mgless]

Yup, this is the 74. Here are some more pictures he sent me:

 

[Gearhead]

I'd buy that car in a heartbeat, my 74 has a lot more rust than that car. If it runs good and trans. shifts ok go for it I wish i had the $ I think its worth it, ru just seeing pics of the car? how far is it away from u? u also have to consider travel/pick up costs

 

[jlaird]

Of course it needs an inspection. Of course it has been repainted. Have not seen the rest of the car nor the price so it is a crap shoot. Did I miss all that?

 

[mgless]

Here's the A-post and hinges:

 

[DrEntropy]

It's lookin' better by the minute, mgless. The inner door sill shot is more telling than the exterior ones.

...'course you're gonna need to re-register here to change yer nomer if'n ya get it, y'know. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

 

[mgless]

There was a link to the ad a few posts back. He's asking $4600obo. Owner had it for 12 years and wasn't resprayed during that time. So maybe this is a 13+ yo restoration?

The car is about 80 miles away from me.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Hmmm. Looks like the interior was brown before... but no big deal.

That lower A-post (around the hinge) is pretty eat up. I would plan on having to do some metal repair in 4-5 years.

Overall it doesn't look too bad, but I'd be very suspicious of the prior rust repairs and inspect it well.

 

[DrEntropy]

That'd be the only real way to know. I can only make out the sills and they look okay. Physical inspection would be a good idea, and 80 miles isn't that far if it SPARES you spending money on something less-than it appears to be on a CRT...

 

[budk1953]

Do the 80 miles and check it out in person. I went 120 and was glad I did.