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New toys for the Midget

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Well, I decided to go for broke this month.

So, I dropped all my money that I had and I ordered the rest of my parts to get this MG going.

That's in addition to all the stuff that Summit Racing (yeah, Summit) and Moss has already sent me that I crunching down on to put this car on the road.

Finishing up on the Contessa rug project while I'm waiting on parts. Figure I have about 20 hours into this job (but hey, my time is cheap and I work on it when I have some idle time to kill). I figure that I still have about 12 hours of work in fitting and sewing on this job.

CIMG2955.jpg
 
Boy, wish my carpet fit so good and that I could do that.
 
Carpet looks great. And you're right about your time. One should not worry about what his time is worth when working on his toys. In fact, it would be more proper to pay for the time you get to be just messing about in your LBC. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/driving.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/hammer.gif
 
Is that panel separating the trunk from the cockpit available to buy from a supplier? I ripped mine out when it was being dismantled, as it was a dodgy bit of hardboard that had a couple of speaker holes in the middle of it, but curiously no speakers. Or radio come to think of it...
 
That looks great! I am getting ready to do the same to mine... I am just not sure how to do the wheel arch areas... any ideas?
 
I looked into just getting the rear panel on mine as someone had mounted some speakers in it and all I could find was full interior kits. When the rugs fell apart when I attempted to clean them, at that point I said "go for it." I'd be replacing everything otherwise and I decided to save the 600 bucks- well spend it on other things..

The back wheel arches are not as hard as you would think. I was able to lay out the old carpet flat that surrounded the wheel arches. I got the new piece in there without cutting any seams- and this rug has no forgiveness or stretch in it.

I used the old carpet as patterns and used them as a padding under the rug (besides being kinda cozy, there should be some serious sound deadning in this car now, too). I glued the rug to the old carpets using 3M hi strength 90 (on the third can right now and it ain't cheap) and sewed a lot of the edging. The thing fits tight enough ( a lot of trial and error, plus the old carpets are excellent patterns) where minimal gluing to the floor was necessary- a good thing if I (or anyone after me) decides to put the car back to correct.
 
working the skirt. Pushing the project..
CIMG2960.jpg


dang birds. Actually the trunk lid is perfectly straight.
 
I have made the back panel out of masonite and scored it with a knife to make the bend.

Patrick
 
Just a note about the picture. If you pull up and release the tennax fasteners on each side of the top, it will be less likely to be damaged and will fold flatter. (just in case you didn't know)
 
Thanks for the tip on the top. The top is in excellent shape but the back window is yellowed badly. Was thinking about taking it to an upholstery shop and having them redo the windows (I could do without the two corner windows).

As for SU's, I got a Weber on it. I was going to go DCOE's (I loved that look) but I wanted a decent balance between economy and performance.
 
Fitting up the grille and the finishing. Gutted the driving lights out of an old set of APC headlights from a wrecked Mustang and modified them into parking/turn lights by fitting them with 1157's. Tucked in behind the grill. They're pretty cool- bullet shaped glass lenses.

CIMG2979.jpg


I also happened to be doing some late nite Walmart shopping and found a set of 3.5" H3 driving lights (35 bucks with glass lenses and aluminum housings) and fitted them behind the grille also.
 
Hi gmichael, that's looking good.
I have the same type grill now and I received my grille surround yesterday. If the weather cooperates this weekend I'll get it installed. I've got some new grille slats coming over from England as well.
Did you have any trouble installing your surround or grille?
Did everything fit well or did you have to make modifications?
Any pointers before I start fitting mine would be appreciated.
 
They surely look good with out bumpers.
 
RickB said:
Did you have any trouble installing your surround or grille?
Did everything fit well or did you have to make modifications?
Any pointers before I start fitting mine would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Since you have a grille that was already in another vehicle, I'd say you shouldn't have any problems with fit. My grille was new. I fitted the grille into the opening before I installed the finishing. The existing holes are all there in the car- guess they felt they didn't need to do away with them on a late model. However the slats in the corners needed to be trimmed some or they will scratch up the flashing. I just took a Sharpie marker and ran it across the slats with the grille installed and then did some trimming with a Dremil.

You'll need to drill some holes in the car to install the flashing. Put the piece in that fits on top of the lower valance first and center it. Trial fit the side pieces and then drill the holes and mount the valance piece. Then do the sides. Keep in mind that the left and right pieces of flashing fit real tight in the opening.

Since the flashing is aluminum, I imagine that the rivets are aluminum. I chose to drill and tap with 8/32 and use stainless steel buttonheads, as I will be wanting to remove the flashing when I paint.

Since I want to be able to clean the grille easily (and the area behind it), I mounted the top with only 2 fasteners. On the bottom of the grille, I drilled a hole at the centerline (directly behind the plinth) for a bolt and then drilled one through the valance and stuck a grommet in it. I glued a small faucet washer onto the bottom of the grille and then I just drop a bolt through it. The only purpose this bolt serves is just to locate the bottom of the grille and hold it in place. All I have to do is pull the fastener out if I want to remove the grille for cleaning.
 
Now that's what I call an answer. That's what makes this forum great....the sharing of knowledge.
 
Very good stuff there, Thank you!
 
now we are making some progress. Front suspension and brakes completed. I need to bleed the brakes and the clutch and set the toe in, but I've got jobs all weekend. That's good, too!

MGJune2.jpg


The wires cleaned up pretty nice (it's a "twenty footer", but I'm blind, so they look great at 5). I'm going to repaint them later but I want to see if any of the wheels need to be trued.
CIMG2994.jpg


Things that need to be done: and some thoughts:

1. Still need to get the tube rear shocks in. I had bought the Moss kit a while back before I realized I could DIY it myself, but I like the gas shocks that come in the kit and I cannot find substitutes, so I'm going to use them. Looks like I'll be reengineering their kit some as I need to get some different fasteners and some bushings. So basically I have a nice pair of 175 dollar shocks.

2. Anyone enlighten me on wire wheels or give me an indoctrination on Wire Wheels 101?. I imagine thruing is a nightmare, especially when you consider that you also have to balance a tire on these wheels.

Part of the romance I had when I got this car was those wire wheels. At this time, I do not consider it an option to ditch the wire wheel setup.

3. I also got to pick up some fasteners at a supplier since Ace isn't keeping up on their supply.

4. That new mechanical VDO oil pressure gauge isn't working. I need to check the gauge and possibly redo the line.

5. Left front coil spring is binding. I'm going to have to drop it and reseat it.

6. Few little minor parts on order such as an air cleaner and a crankcase breather.

Should be ready for shakedown by next weekend
 
Go, go, go.
 
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