RWA Midget a 1971?

[vping]

I just came across a 1971 midget with Round Wheel Arches and it has a GAN5UB..... vin#. How is this possible. I thought that only 72-74 were RWA and 72 started as GAN5UC...

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I have a 1970 RWA but the rear clip was grafted on in 2001 from a 1972. I suspect a similar type of issue.

 

[Biff]

The first RWA's began with GAN5-105501 in October of 1971 and was dicontinued with the GAN6 model.

 

[Bugeye58]

[ QUOTE ]
The first RWA's began with GAN5-105501 in October of 1971 and was dicontinued with the GAN6 model.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yup, the last RWA was GAN5-154100.
Jeff

 

[vping]

I wonder if the owner knows if the rear clip was replaced or not?

https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MG-Midget...sspagenameZWDVW

I'm looking for a Blaze '72 but this was just an odd find. Even the Steering wheel is from a '72.

 

[RobSelina]

could just be registered as the wrong year too.

 

[Biff]

I have a '71 Midget and it has the same steering wheel as the one in the ebay listing. In the '72 models they eliminated the finger catching holes in the steering wheel and went to the 'slotted' wheel.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

When did they switch to the one part heater boxes? My '70 has the two part.

 

[Biff]

September 1970 saw the heater/fan unit replacing the seperate units.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Hmmm... now I may just have to dig out my OSM book.

 

[vping]

[ QUOTE ]
I have a '71 Midget and it has the same steering wheel as the one in the ebay listing. In the '72 models they eliminated the finger catching holes in the steering wheel and went to the 'slotted' wheel.

[/ QUOTE ]

You're right to some degree. My soon to be ex 1972 has the holes and if I remember correctly, early 72 had that wheel and it was changed soon after. My 72 is/was the 1429th built.

I am cutting up my 72 as it is too far gone /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Trevor Jessie]

My money is on the rear fenders being changed out. Everything else about the car looks like a '71 to me. But maybe it is a '72 that was rebuilt using a '71 parts car (including VIN).

 

[vping]

Wonder if I can cut out the frame rails & front section from my 72 and graft it on to the 71? Frame rails on the 71 are bent. I can always change the rear fenders later on.

 

[tony barnhill]

[ QUOTE ]
Frame on the 71 is bent.

[/ QUOTE ]

Didn't know Midgets had frames!

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I think he means the frame rails.
Having grafted two car into one, I can say that it is a tedious job on a unibody. Eventually, you reach a point where you say "good enough" and move on. But then you will regret not getting it perfect later as other parts do not fit quite right. This is the reason I'm going to sell off my current midget when I find a bugeye tub to restore and stick my drive train in.

 

[vping]

Frame what frame? I never said frame. These are unibody cars. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif
Thanks. I figured you'd know what I meant.

 

[tony barnhill]

hehehehe....but, yes, you can cut & switch....a few years ago, I cut a Midget body in half, put it in a container & shipped to Sri Lanka because repairing a totalled car over there was cheaper than buying new - & it couldn't go into country as a "car"...so, I sent "parts".

 

[vping]

well right now they are worth only parts and unless someone wants to buy body part from them, the metal is going to the curb. I can at least give it a try and whatever I do will be a learning experience. Couldnt hurt unless I cut myself....again!

 

[tony barnhill]

Are you talking about taking RWA's to the curb?

 

[vping]

I found a 69 sprite for a steal. So rust it bent while getting it on the truck. I cut it up with my trusty sawzall and either bagged it, left bigger pieces at the curb or took it to work and put it in the dumpster. Finally just got rid of the doors last night. Put them out with my regular trash and after work, they were gone. It was fun!