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So long, little guy

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Jack_Long

Jack_Long

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Well, I decided the time had come to pass my Midget on to the next generation. I sold it today to a fellow club member who has a 15 year old son; they will be finishing it up as a father-and-son project. When his boy turns 16 and gets his license he should have a really cool set of wheels.

Here is a final portrait while under my care, and the good-bye photo as he headed to his next home.
 

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And we'll be seeing them around the forum?
 
Looks finished to me. Maybe no engine so it needed towed.
 
My first car was a '78 midget! Then again, that was 20+ years ago. I hope the new teen owner treats it better than I did my midget when I was that age.

I've often said that the restoration of my B was penance for all the terrible things I did to that midget.

Sorry Jack! I'm sure it will be fine. Hopefully, more of a "father" than "son" project! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif
 
Jack

Sorry, but you have done well passing along the tradition for another father and son to share.

Pat
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]And we'll be seeing them around the forum?[/QUOTE]

Trevor is right. It is a law that forum participation becomes an obligation when a member passes his car along to the next...

BTW, that is a one beautiful car. I would be dead if I had that car at 16: either from a horrible wreck or a case of VD.
 
I guess I would have to admire anyone flexible enough to pick up a case of VD in a Midget!

I will be sure to refer them here. You all have been a great support system to me during my short tenure as its caretaker.
 
No, it had a strong little engine that just needed to have the Weber DGV set up properly. The main reason he towed it is that the brakes need some attention and I had not gotten around to that part. I spent most of my time with this car addressing a lot of DPO wiring issues and getting the bodywork in shape. Brakes were next on my to-do list but when the oppotunity to give it a good home and get a youngster engaged in the hobby presented itself. The remaining work is well within the reach of a young person who can read a shop manual and will give him a rewarding experience without too much pain and suffering.
 
Hi ya -

I'm the guy that picked this Midget up... This will be my third time fixing up an LBC (73 'B, 80 'LE).

As usual, you never really know what ya got til you tear into it... So, we commenced wrenching, and here's the current project list:

Seats are shot - need complete rebuild or replacement. Seat bolt holes are rust damaged, might have to grind, weld and redrill if possible, or reinforce. At least one floor rail is unusable. Open to suggestions on this!!!!

Wheel cylinders leaking, brake shoes soaked.
Front hoses wasted, calipers frozen, RF pads gone, rotor destroyed. Master Cylinder cap seal disintegrated, not yet sure of the status of the master cylinder itself. Naturally the brake fuild was nasty! RF brake line extremely rusty, probably need to replace both front lines. So complete brake job with all new parts is required... So far only the rear drums are salvageable. Hopefully the master cyl is good...

Steering rack binding terribly. Pulled tie rod ends off the steering levers, kingpins look new, move freely - no discernable play. Have to check out the steering rack further to determine why it's so stiff (Lack of grease/oil, missing shims, other damage?) Wheel bearings and grease seals good. Don't know about the dampers yet.

Weber DGV carb on Pierce intake manifold has already been removed from the car. I don't like the DGV carbs, so am going to convert back to the original HS-2 setup as soon as I procure a manifold and complete carb/linkage/heat shield set up. The Weber install had the typical problem of thicker flanges on the aftermarket intake but the installer didn't shim, just cranked down the nuts, bending the studs...

Several electrical problems remain, I know Jack did a lot of connector replacing, but there are still problems, so I will need to go thru each circuit one at a time...

It has either a starter or solenoid problem (or both), but cleaning and appropriate lube should resolve.

Plenty of work there, no doubt. More than I had anticipated, but thats the way it goes I guess... And you know theres always more projects that turn up along the way...
 
I think you have the later model steering rack, so it is probably just going to need cleaning regreasing, and have the pinion end float set. (I'm not familiar with that type, soI'm not much help.) Seat rails... They changed styles somewhere in '72 I think. There are enough parts cars around, that it shouldn't be an issue. Same thing with the SU's. I would guess that someone has some in a pile that are rebuildable.

Sounds like the midget is in good hands.
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]As usual, you never really know what ya got til you tear into it... So, we commenced wrenching, and here's the current project list:
[/QUOTE]

WOW...sounds just like the day it rolled off the factory floor...LOVE THEM BRITISH CARS!
 
Was able to free the pistons in the calipers, so it looks like just a seal kit, and the calipers can go back in the car. We glass beaded them, and will shoot them with a little hi temp silver paint.

Looks like the seats are going to be the most challenging to us. I stripped the driver side down completely, and the frame was really rusted on the bottom portion. Unfortunately it won't fit in my blast cabinet. Took the better part of an hour with a wire wheel to get it in reasonable shape. I'm thinking POR-15 for the seat frames...

I've never installed a seat kit, although I have recovered a few naugahyde kitchen chairs, so we'll see how this goes. Seems like the tricky part may be stapling to the wood strip in the back of the seat...

Any recommendations for economical seat kits, foams, etc?
 
If you are not concerned about originality, then prestigeautotrim.com is OK... or better yet you can find a local upholstery shop to do the job.
 
I had a girlfriend who's first car was an MGB. Unfortunately, the poor thing was at the maintenance mercy of her father, who only spoke and understood Chevrolet.

I hope those that bought your car will have respect for the machine and understand that gas and go mentality does not apply.
 
I had a girlfriend who's first car was an MGB. Unfortunately, the poor thing was at the maintenance mercy of her father, who only spoke and understood Chevrolet.

I hope those that bought your car will have respect for the machine and understand that gas and go mentality does not apply with these vehicles.
 
You mean I can't go 100,000 miles between tune ups? Jeez, what a piece of c**p...

It's not like the car had 40 year old technology even when it was brand new... Oh, wait, yeah it did!
 
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