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Bagged a '78 Midget, chrome bumper conversion???

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Steve P.

Steve P.

Jedi Hopeful
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Its been quite a while since I've been on the forum. Frankly,
not a lot going on until today. Found a pretty decent
'78 Midget for sale locally. Runs, minimal rust, good
interior, and (most important) dirt cheap. Has clutch hydraulic
issues. Don't they all? Anyway, it was hard to pass up.

I've had a '61 Midget and Bugeye for a number of years
and am very (some would say too) familiar with the early
Spridgets, but not the newfangled later version. I'd
appreciate any tips on what issues to look for.

I'd also like to know if anyone has done a conversion
to chrome bumpers. Can it be done without modifying
the body? I've got a spare set of bumpers for the '61
and would like to see if its reasonable to try
to put these on the '78. Never did like the rubber
baby bumpers.

Steve
 
someone posted about the bumper conversion just a few days ago...scoll down a ways till u find it .....zimmmym
 
Long story short...

Done 'close enough' - Remove rubber bumpers. At the front, stuff the turn signals in the front fender holes, and slap on chrome bumper. At the back, install a chrome bumper, you'll still be able to see the flat portions under the taillights.

Done correctly - swap out front fenders for earlier models. Weld in early rear valence panel and lower rear quarter corners, to create 'fins' under taillights. Install chrome bumpers. Lower ride height with; front - earlier springs, and/or spacers for spring pans. Rear: earlier springs, or have existing springs de-arched.

To those who have done it, please don't take this as a criticism of the 'close enough' approach! Depending on the use of the car, and/or whether you live in the rust belt (or in an area with rust-free CB cars) I think both approaches have their place.

Here's pretty much the only resource I've seen online...

https://npmccabe.tripod.com/mgbumpers.htm
 
Down here in Johannesburg

Why the change? The back bumper is a great seat. Also the bumpers were added due to US safety reasons, has this all changed?

I entered a concourse once and spent what seemed hours cleaning and polishing the rubber bumpers only for the judge to give me 5/10 for cleanliness, idiot. At the same time he gave 10/10 for originality on my back shocks even though I had converted them from dampers to telescopic ones.

Cheers,
Mark
 
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