bhouse 34 Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 Scott - my donor cost £520, It was a restoration job that had been abandoned. Basically a Midget shell used as a skip for Midget parts. Most of the body panels (and the windscreen!) were sound so I sold them together with dashboard, lights etc and made just over £500 from them. So the net cost of the donor was just £20. Bargain Plus the body parts helped people who were actually restoring Midgets. I was a frequent visitor to the MG Owners' Club shop at Swavesey for the next 18 months. So much so that the staff recognised me and told me that they were impressed I was doing such a thorough job on my Midget restoration. I never did summon up the courage to tell them... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Norman Verona 455 Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 Brian, how long ago was that? I haven't seen a sub £2000 Spridget for a while now, even the basket cases. Good cars are now fetching close to £10,000 which makes the basket cases worth restoring. Personally I would get the bits I need from the specialists, buy a 1275 A+ engine from the bay, rebuild it and have a "new" car. At least Si won't lose his temper getting the king pins out. ed to add that Autotrader has a few sub £2000 cars but all the 1500 triumph engined cars. Cheapest 1275 is £2500. There are, what appears to be, some real bargains to be had. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scott Young 3,885 Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 Cheers Brian, much appreciated. I'm sure I wood have kept my mouth shut about the Midget parts as well! Just saw a Midget yesterday that would have been a great donor, but it looked too well loved. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jonclancy 6 Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 You need a 1275 spridget, ideally. Earlier 1098 cars will be ok, too. Not the 1500s - all sorts different about those! Budget around a grand or less for the donor. There are frilly cars still out there that are just uneconomic to restore on a new shell, but would be perfect for your kit. Strip it, flog what's left on eBay and get at least a few ££ back, even if the shell is horrid. I wouldn't think that buying all the parts separately would really be that much of a saving - think about the core charges for the recon items. Better off getting the donor parts refurbed to your spec/use as core for remanufactured items (like calipers). Steering rack etc you can refurb yourself. Make sure you have enough of the major components needed (per INF26 leaflet) to get issued an age-related plate. Then, if you wish, I believe you can later change that for a 3 letters/3 numbers cherished plate for the period look. You won't be able to do this if you are issued with a Q plate. See these: 1098 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MG-Midget-Roadster-with-hard-top-/190879321117?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2c714b4c1d 1275 - ask if chassis plates/V5 present http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MG-MIDGET-RED-/251316705508?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3a83a498e4 Little Corker!! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EARLY-1275-M-G-MIDGET-WITH-WIRE-WHEELS-AND-OTHER-NICE-ORIGINAL-FEATURES-/171095191066?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item27d6116e1a Bit over budget... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MG-Midget-1275-1971-mechanically-sound-TAX-EXEMPT-/271252395282?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3f27e71512 I'd have a go for the wire-wheel car in Ringwood, if I was looking for a donor. Good Luck!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bhouse 34 Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 Norman - that was (gasp) 5 years ago. Of course I would very much like to have done as you suggested but then I would have had a Q plate on the car which I really didn't want. So I diligently cleaned up and used all the really important bits - especially anything with a serial number that linked to the Midget so DVLA could see I had done everything "by the book". And that's all I'm saying... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scott Young 3,885 Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 Yep, I'd do it your way Brian, wish I had the time and dosh - I love the XI. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jonclancy 6 Posted August 10, 2013 Share Posted August 10, 2013 XI: best car I've ever driven. Less, definitely, is more. If anyone is contemplating building one... as Nike say... "Just do it!" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Si Richards 0 Posted August 10, 2013 Author Share Posted August 10, 2013 Hi Norman, Thanks for the offer but Pete is right a little over my budget for donor but if any come about and you here about them I would be most gratefull!!! Hi Jon If I didn't know better I would of said you had hacked into my eBay account and had posted my watch list!!! I'm a little aprehensive on the wire wheel as really planned on mini lites or image splits, (not as classy but that's me all over) and assumed that this wouldn't be possible due to the lengths etc? The red up and running one that's currently at £1500 is about 2 miles from my house had a look and its almost a shame to chop it up, actually I lie I'd get the angle grinder on it in the blink of an eye. The hunt is still on I have also seen this one which looked interesting and definitely has a V5: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251316705508?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 Thanks for all the posts though guys lots of food for thought. Cheers Si Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jonclancy 6 Posted August 10, 2013 Share Posted August 10, 2013 Good luck with the hunt, Si! Just a quick word about Minilites: I have an original set on my car and the clearance to the rim from the track rod end bolt is absolutely minimal. Minators (which I believe the factory specify) might be better option (if you're going to stick with 13" wheels). Plenty of chat about wheel/tyre size over at the Eleven Register: http://westfield-eleven.org/forum/index.php Cheers Jon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nick Algar 468 Posted August 10, 2013 Share Posted August 10, 2013 I have also been looking at this recently and just missed out on a basket case 998 midget with wire wheels that went for £ 620 on ebay. Another one failed to get £ 420 so they are out there, you just have to look and take your time. I am still slightly undecided knowing what I am like with my love of extreme speed. Not sure if I could actually live with one ? any thoughts those that have got one on the road ? Currently in no rush and it strikes me it's a good idea to get the donor first and spend the time whilst waiting for the kit getting all the parts refurbed that can be, then you can have a smoother build as you will know what is needed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Si Richards 0 Posted August 11, 2013 Author Share Posted August 11, 2013 Evening all, Well what a day!!!! Woke up this morning and before the alarm clock had been switched off the iPad was up and running and eBay was being searched, and there she was a lovely Midget vastly over my original budget (but lets face it, always best to move the decimal place one if not two places right when you buy stuff!!!) before I knew it I was on the M25 heading for Woking to have a look and all I can say is, I am now the proud owner of a 1968 MG Midget 1275. I know before anyone says it, yes its really to good to be a donor car as to be honest its almost immaculate but I decided I would spend a decent sum of cash and know what I was buying rather than spend pennies and end up with an old nadger that needed an arm and a leg spending on it, especially as I am the sort of person that if I didn't have bad luck I wouldn't have any luck!!!! Plus as an added bonus the chap had not long fitted a brand new set of Minotaur Minilites to it :cool: The project has now officially started, I know this for a fact as I have already had to spend 25 minutes at the sink trying to flush rust, oil and other debris from my eyes :cry: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scott Young 3,885 Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 Congrats! Did you tell the seller what you had planned for his baby or not? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Secretary 7,577 Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 God I hope not Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hellski 86 Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 Oh my that is a beauty, does seem a shame to be breaking her but at least you'll get a decent price for the parts you don't need. Good luck and look forward to watching your progress Quote Link to post Share on other sites
steppenwolf 1 Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 My suggestion that Simon cancelled the order for the Westfield XI and just enjoyed the beautiful Midget was not well received - the words 'Man', 'Old' and 'Senile' (although not necessarily in that order) were heard ....... There wil be hell to pay if I see any family standards slipping in the build quality department though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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