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Considering a 65 Midget - advice please

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78Z

78Z

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I'm considering picking up a '65 Midget as a fun car for the summer until I'm finished my Lotus Seven clone. Its got the 1100cc motor the runs and drives. Needs some electrical and paint work. No rust according to owner. Most of the interior is missing. Its driven around his yard but not much else so I figure some brake work will need to be done. Some spare parts are included including a 1275 engine (miuns a piston), 71 transmision, wiring harness, seat frames. There is a parts car - 65 AH Sprite with no engine, tranny or interior. I'm hoping this parts car could donate a few bits to my Seven project as well.

I likely won't do much in the way of paint work but get it to drive-able and presentable state. Maybe Miata seats if they fit. Maybe go with the 1275 engine too.

So my questions are:

are special things to look for?
are interior bits hard/expensive to come by?
came I use the 1275 block/head with the 1100cc bits (with the 71 tranny and a 1100 piston)?
general comments?

Thanks,

Dave

some pics:

65midgetfront.jpg

65midgetside.jpg

65midgetinterior.jpg

65midgetengine.jpg
 
Hi there. She looks to be in OK shape from the photos, but you'll need to really have her out for a drive to know.

Interior bits are pretty reasonable, www.mossmotors.com will give you a good idea of cost. There are other options, but Moss is an easy way to get an idea of what you you are likely looking at.

Make sure to check the normal things relating to the engine, including ideally engine compression. Make not of any crunching or other noises from the gear box etc...

What isn't working in her electrical system?

You might also want to checking out the following link. Not Midget specific but still good info.

https://www.mgbexperience.com/article/buy-dray.php
 
A lot of 1100 bits fit and work on a 1275.
Dizzy, carbs, exhaust manifold, genny, starter. But not the pistons, flywheel, or clutch.
An interior can be made with a sheet of 1/8 masonite, a couple yards of vinyl, and some carpet from any auto upholstry shop.
I can redo an entire Sprite interior for under $100 not counting the seats. They cost about $100 each from the same shop that sells me the carpet and vinyl.
Or you can buy it all new from the catalog guys for big bucks. Masonite is available at any lumber store for under $10 a 4x8 sheet and that will do 2 Sprites.
Good automotive carpet is about $20 a yard, 4 yds does a Sprite, good vinyl is 15-20 a yrd, 3-4 yds depending on the width does a Sprite. Some razor blades and some glue and a weekend.
 
OK - I just re-read your post Dave and I think I answered in too basic/newbie of a manner. Sorry.

Seat frames can be hard to find, so bonus if the existing ones are solid. Interior bits should all be available, carpet and panels and seat covers certainly are.

Midget front suspensions can be an issue depending upon the year. Make sure that it appears to have been well lubed and that there is not much play.

I think the '65 has a more conventional rear springs, but the early models has a semi-elliptical spring that was problematic in how it mounted to the rear of the body. In any case, you should make sure that part of the car is solid.

I can't help you on the engine block/head, but I think (but am really not sure) that the transmission should be OK.

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will jump in here soon.
 
Thanks for the info. I've now found out that these vehicles are 400kms away. This definitly puts a damper on things.
 
a chunk of carpet, 2 seats, and a shifter boot and ur set for the inside if its just for a beater!
looks good....ide buy it....ive got the fever(MG) though /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
400km - what is that, like, 250 - 275 miles? Or did I do the math backwards?
 
yeah its about that. I've got a Nissan Quest and a Neon - neither up to much for towing. I think unless I get it really cheap the cost of getting it here is probably more than I want for a beater classic.
 
Talked to the owner again - he's offering rather favorable delivery prices I'm interested once again! Might take a little while to get the deal sorted but I'm quite excited about the cheapo interior idea (its a basic car after all). I've got a bunch of decent carpet out of my old Hyundai that would work. Anyone know if Fiero seats fit? They might be easier to source.

tdskip - 65 does have the more conventional springs. I looked under an early one (I think 61) with those funky quarter leaf springs.
 
Fiero's are a bit large but I saw a Midget in a junkyard with a set - looked out of place
 
Went through a similar dilema. No - 1100 head will not fit the 1275. parts are more expensive. I personally found it cheaper to buy a bogus 1275 and rebuild it vs. rebuilding existing 1098 I already had.

Many of the "ancillary" parts are interchanable among all Sprites & Midgets. Depending how orig you care obviously affects cost on interior replacement. What 'spritenut' had to say about interior was interesting -- I think I'll try to get more detail if possible.

Fact is: You have a decent starting point. You sound prety handy and have a parts car / misc parts to assist with. Other than taking way from your Seven project -- sounds as if your in decent shape.

Tx-

George Zeck
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif
 
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