StevieB
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| posted on 1/7/10 at 12:09 PM |
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What to do...
I have a mk1 midget project in my garage, the structure is fully restored and I have just abot every part needed to put it back together in boxes.
Plan A was to sell the excess parts, convert it to coilover suspension all round, stick an R1 engine in it, GRP frogeye bodywork and sprint/hillclimb
it
Plan B is to full restore it to original condition, sell it for probably quite a decent sum and buy a hillclimber
Plan C is to restore it to just about original, but sick a K Series in, rll cage and mod the suspension with bolt on parts so that one day it could be
put back to original if needed.
Cast your votes now!
[Edited on 1/7/10 by StevieB]
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imp paul
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| posted on 1/7/10 at 12:12 PM |
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sell it and buy a imp hehe lol
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NigeEss
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| posted on 1/7/10 at 12:15 PM |
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Option C but if competition is what you are really after then go with plan B.
I a BEC fan but in a Midget it just seems wrong.
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.................Douglas Adams.
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smart51
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| posted on 1/7/10 at 12:18 PM |
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If its a mk1, I'd restore to original. They're nice cars and fairly sought after. I'd be tempted by one in the future. If it were
a rubber bumper car, I'd convert to a GRP Healey sprite, which is also a lot of fun.
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phelpsa
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| posted on 1/7/10 at 12:53 PM |
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If you want to hillclimb it you'd be best off sticking with the original block. You'll end up in sports libre with a bike engine in it
which means that a) you'll have to adhere to all the extra SL regs and b) you'll have a hell of a task trying to make it competitive!
I'd restore to a good spec, sell it and buy a westfield to hillclimb 
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02GF74
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| posted on 1/7/10 at 12:58 PM |
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mk1 - that the RWA model?
restore to original then flog for much money, use the profit to buy lots of chocolate, pataks curry sauces and Coldplay CDs.
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Humbug
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| posted on 1/7/10 at 01:01 PM |
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I would do a combination of your options:
Coilovers, K series and frogeye body
(are there coilover conversions available for Spridgets?)
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NigeEss
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| posted on 1/7/10 at 01:25 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by 02GF74
mk1 - that the RWA model?
The round arches were introduced around '73 but only lasted a couple of years and returned
to the square profile. The round arches failed the USA crash tests due to the body folding on
rear impact rupturing the fuel tank.
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.................Douglas Adams.
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carpmart
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| posted on 1/7/10 at 01:54 PM |
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Voted for plan B
You only live once - make the most of it!
Radical Clubsport, Kwaker motor
'94 MX5 MK1, 1.8
F10 M5 - 600bhp Daily Hack
Range Rover Sport - Wife's Car
Mercedes A class - Son's Car
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StevieB
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| posted on 1/7/10 at 03:30 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Humbug
I would do a combination of your options:
Coilovers, K series and frogeye body
(are there coilover conversions available for Spridgets?)
No conversions as such (here anyway). A company in the uS called Huffaker do one, but they want $8k plus shipping 
It's not a massive job though, and the main options I've seen are rocker arms with inboard shocks, which is a relatively simple bolt on with
minor mods required for shock mounts.
Here's a taster of something rather special, but quite a lot of modification required for the front suspension:
Linky
I do quite like the coupe version, but it's quite expensive to do it properly. My plan would look something like this:
 
Rescued attachment Midget Racer
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nick205
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| posted on 1/7/10 at 03:42 PM |
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"C" for me.
Retain the original look and feel of the car, but with a more up to date driving experience is the way to go with many classics IMHO.
BMW M3 (straight six) based Series 1 E-Type would be my ideal.
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StevieB
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| posted on 1/7/10 at 03:44 PM |
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And a race modified but largely original midget:
Linky
I really like this car and would aspire to this standard of build regardless of which way I go.
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Ninehigh
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| posted on 1/7/10 at 08:19 PM |
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I'm sure you could restore it, sell it and buy something similar for hillclimbing and still have cash left over.
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DavidM
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| posted on 1/7/10 at 09:53 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by StevieB
And a race modified but largely original midget:
Linky
I really like this car and would aspire to this standard of build regardless of which way I go.
That is a great website, with some great cars.
David
Proportion is Everything
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JimSpencer
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| posted on 2/7/10 at 07:45 AM |
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Hi
As mentioned above, assuming you're going to hillclimb it then option A would see you in sports libre - not a good plan I think.
Option C, if you did it very carefully, and used the 1.4K series could see you remain in Road Modified - now that would be very cool indeed..
But if you want to be competetive in Hillclimbs forget it and go for option B
Having a vaguely competitive car in a road going class makes it a horrible road car and vica versa IMHO.
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Guinness
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| posted on 2/7/10 at 09:00 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by StevieB
And a race modified but largely original midget:
Linky
I really like this car and would aspire to this standard of build regardless of which way I go.
Wow! That is a seriously impressive build.
That page has just been added to my favourites as a reminder to myself what can be achieved next time I'm tempted to take a short cut......
However, I'm worried as to how he keeps it SO clean. My Indy has done nearly 8,000 miles of trackdays, dry days, wet days, snow, gravel etc etc
and the engine bay / underside / suspension looks like a Landrover rather than an operating theatre.
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StevieB
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| posted on 2/7/10 at 06:35 PM |
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It's because the cars on that site are all in the US, so a lot of them are based in states where rain and snow (and the associated grime, road
salt and rust etc.) is simply not an issue.
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