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Resoration Book Advice Needed

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JPSmit

JPSmit

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Hi, two weeks ago I received a 1976 Midget. The body is dented but not rusty. It hasn't run in 10 or 11 years. Brakes/ Clutch are seized, engine is not. Interior is great. I'm after enough restoration to make it fun to drive but I've never restored a car before though I've worked on them forever. Here's my question, which books do I need?

I have
Bentley's MG manual and book.

The "Autobooks Austin Healey Sprite/ MG Midget Workshop Manual" is in the mail and

I'm bidding on the Haynes Manual on ebay.

What else?
Lindsay Porter's Guide to Purchase & Restoration?
Practical Classics Midget/Sprite restoration Manual?
Jim Tyler's MG Midget & Austin Healey Sprite Restoration?

Parts books?
Parts interchange books?

I'm not fanatical about the quality of the restoration nor do I need every book (I just want them /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif)

Help
JP
 
Lindsay Porter's book is very good......Practical Classics magazine also published a restoration guide, collated from a series printed in the magazine, you may be able to find a copy through Motorbooks or Amazon.com
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif that Lindsay Porter's book is good. I have it and have read it two or three times. It is a restoration guide, so don't expect it to tell you how to do every little detail of the job, that is where the shop manuals come into play. Porter's book is excellent at giving you a look at the overall process.
 
JP, I'd get the Haynes before anything, then Tyler's book. Tyler's has lots of clear pictures, with the added psychological boost that your car won't look anywhere near as horrific as the ones he's working on.

Good luck, it's a great journey!

Mark
 
I only have the Haynes book. Make sure it's the USA version. I got a hold of the old version (1st ed) and it had all of the "Brit speak" which was difficult to follow.

My car sat for 18 years and am going through some serious rebuilding. Hopefully your engine is good. Mine had problesm due to sitting for the better part of 2 decades.

I gave someone else a "checklist" -- hope you find it useful:

https://www.britishcarforum.com/ubbthread...=true#Post79999

Feel free to drop me a line in "private" area if you whant to talk specific's.

Welcome to BCF -- it's a good bunch of guys.

Geo Zeck
 
Hey George, I am actually the "someone else" you posted your checklist for. Unfortunately, I haven't had too much time to work on the car yet, so it still sits.

Last I remember, you were having to do some of the rebuilding due to some cooling issues. I haven't seen many posts from you recently and was wondering what the status of your car is?
 
JP, I just came across another book that is decent. Restoring Sprites and Midgets: An Enthusiast's Guide by Grahame Bristow. I would still recommend Porter's book over this one, but it pretty good and has exploded views of different systems that are worth while.
 
George, Thanks for the list. I think I had already picked it up (I know I printed one already.) The engine (and in fact the whole car) appear remarkably good. It's been sitting but inside and as a California/ Florida car the body is in awesome shape! I'm certainyly loving it already. Thanks again
JP
 
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