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Buying a Midget

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DanZ

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I've got a line on a '63 Midget, Arizona car, drivable for a good price. Being an MGB type for years, is there anything I should be on the lookout for when I look at this car tonight?

Safety Fast!
DanZ
 
I imagine about the same as a B - Rusty/Rotten Sills (Rocker Panels) Bad floorpans, Rear spring mounts and hangers, Dry rotted Brake hoses, Perished front suspension bushings, rusty rigid brake lines, Chewed up Rotors

Engine Bay - look out for excessive jury-rigged wiring ( When I bought my Sprite somebody had done extensive rewiring, too bad they used all yellow wire for everything - what a headache!)
Leaking hydraulic cylinders, excessive and obvious oil leaks -

If The engine runs nicely and the tranny's halfway quiet and shifts well, doesn't pop out of gear, no deathsong from the differential That's Icing on the Cake -

One particularly perceptive forum member in another thread hit it on the head - It's far better to buy a car with a sound, fairly rust free body that doesn't run like new than it is to buy one that runs like the devil but needs a lot of bodywork - You'll spend less setting mechanicals right than you will repairing a crappy body.


Your an MG guy, If you use your common sense you can't get burned - just look for any bargaining chip you may be able to use to reduce the price-

Best of luck to you Mate! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Bob M.
 
Rust, tinworm, and corrosion are your worst enemies (contrary to popular opinion, West Coast and Southwestern cars aren't always rust free-they tend to spend their lives with the tops down, and the rare occasional rainstorm will soak carpets and upholstery. Not to mention the effects of the sun on paint and interior). Anything mechanical will be pretty much the same as with any old car-check for good compression, oil pressure, etc., nasty sounds from valves, timing chain, trans, and diff., and make sure that hoses and brake lines are not leaking (another problem with dry climates-they dry rot rubber bits like mad!). Off the top of my head I can't think of any serious weak spots with early Sprites, mechanically speaking. Pretty much everything's available.

-Wm.
 
Dan, where are you located? I'm about 20 miles west of Pontiac, and have been messing with Sprites for over 35 years. Always willing to help.
Rust in the rear spring boxes is probably the worst thing that can happen to a 1/4 elliptic car like the '63. Fixable, but a major pain in the posterior. Common points for rusting are at the bottom of the A pillars, at the lower door hinge, bottoms of the rear fenders, and the rocker panels. Battery hold down issues often cause the battery to wear two small holes in the firewall. The battery tray itself is another common area for rust, but is easily repairable.
Look at the wiring for obvious "lamp cord" fixes, and general bodging.
Plan on replacing the rubber bushes in the suspension, as Arizona weather is hard on them. (I lived there for 8 years.) Pay attention to the rear trailing arm bushes, as when they go bad the rear end can do some strange things to the handling!
The '63 is a sweet car, as you get the 1098, rib case transmission, disc brakes, and the better handling of the 1/4 elliptic rear springs, but have the extra elbow room of the side curtain doors, as well as the quaintness of the early dash and the pull start. I've got one here, that unfortunately has pretty well used itself up as a sacrifice to the rust gods. It was a California car, but spent the majority of its life living about 150 yards from the Pacific. Salt water and Sprites don't mix!
Jeff
 
I'm about 15 miles north of Monroe.
I inspected the car and found:
Body: Straight, rust-free, including floorboards and trunk. NO rust underneath, in wheel wells or inside jacking points. Repainted, passes the magnet test. Real nice!
Rubber: Typical desert car; all the rubber is toast! New Michelin XZX tires on disc wheels. Missing spare & jack.
Engine: Starts, runs strong. Seems to be running a little rich. Good oil pressure & doesn't overheat. Shifts like a 110,000 mile car (it is)--a little sloppy.
Heater box is rusty, probably leaky core. Blower motor is missing. Previous owner installed an electric fuel pump in trunk, not very tidy.
All electrics work (still positive ground), including BMC AM radio.
Windscreen needs replacing.
Sidecurtains OK, top bows are there, but no soft top.
I made him an offer and we'll see if he accepts.
PO also welded in a roll bar, rather neat job.

I'm figuring an engine rebuild is in order in the not-so-distant future.
 
Dan, sounds like a good, restorable example. If you don't mind, how much is the asking price for such a Midget?
 
Dan, by all means, jump on that one! Or, if you decide not to, let me know where it is, and I'll buy it, although I need another one like I need a hole in the head. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Jeff
 
The deal fell through--the owner's brother wanted the car and the owner felt obligated to sell it to him. My son is really bummed out; this was to be his car.
If anybody knows of a cheap MGB or Midget in decent shape in the Detroit area, let me know.
 
Dan, I saw a "B" roadster for sale right down the street from me yesterday. I'll stop and check it out tomorrow. No idea what year it is, other than it's a chrome bumper car.
I'm 20 miles west of Pontiac.
I'll post what I find tomorrow afternoon.
Jeff
 
Dan, I swung by today after work, and the "B" was gone! That sucker couldn't have been there more than three days.
I'll keep my eyes open for something.
Jeff
 
Dan,

Consider flying to NC? There are three "B's" listed in the Greensboro paper this am ranging from $2850 for a yellow/black top 76 B to 72 B with new paint, interior $ bumpers - 5K miles on rebuilt engine for $3500 or best offer to a 77 B with 33 k original miles on it with wire wheels, hard top and more - quoted in excellent condition - $7500

I know it's a bit out of your area but we're just throwing things out there - If you're at all interested contact me off forum and I'll give you the phone numbers.

Bob M
 
Dan, check your private messages. The MGB was back outside today, and I talked to the owner. I sent the particulars along in a PM.
Jeff
 
OK Jeff - you know that's cheating - you now need to post the pictures for ALL of us to see. . lol. such an intriguing thread can't end with that kind of cliffhanger. . . or maybe Dan needs to buy it and send us pictures. . .. either way - i want to see this infamous B
 
Mike, I have no way to post pictures. It's a red '65 roadster, wire wheels, new Vredstien 165R14 tires, new carpet, seat covers, seat belts,weatherstripping. New floors and sills, fresh paint, and comes with a spare engine and overdrive trans. 100 miles on engine and tranny, (non-OD) thet's in the car.
It's a decently done amateur restoration, that basically needs a brush up on a few items. (non functioning tach, gas gauge, broken horn wire.) Has two new 6V batteries installed.
Is that intriguing enough? He'll take $4500 for it, maybe a tad less. If I were in the market for a "B", it would be at my house right now.
Jeff
 
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