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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Bodywork Mystery of the Weeeeek! Do do do...

Yes ladies and gents, boys and girls. It's that time again for "Bodywork Mystery of the Week"

*Snazzy theme tune plays*

Right, does anyone have a nice shot of a shell at this sort of angle? I am interested in the red circled sections as as you can see in picture two things don't quite line up as the lower bit is too long.

I am wondering if just chopping that bit off at the green line (pic one) is a quick and easy way to go.

Cheers,
Malcolm

Malcolm Le Chevalier

Picture two from other angle showing gap.

Malcolm Le Chevalier

Point of note... the front end section in grey primer is not attached to the rest of the car! So the task is not fitting the black wheel arch into the hole, it is fitting the front end on to the wheel arch sections.

Thank you all,

Malcolm.
Malcolm Le Chevalier

Hmmmm.
So you are saying that the front section upon which the wheels mount is not connected to the rest of the body?
Sounds fun..
I fitted the same arches to the front of my midget and my memory is that the fit wasn't great..
Could take a photo if you like?
Tim
T Dafforn

I replaced the black bits on mine, with bought in units (not DIY sections in this case) The fit wasn't accurate and they needed a good deal of "dressing".

If you have a disconnected front end then presumably a measurement from front of fire wall to some identifiable point on the floating bit would help. Just in case it isn't the same as the size of your black section.

Work is looking good though! What persuaded you to replace the whole of the front chassis unit?
Guy W

Im going to the shop later today... ill have a look

im gut sure that gap has to be welded considering the various forces and there associated levels of distress that section is subjected to

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Picture would be great, thanks Prop.

Yeah when I came to fit the wheel arches I noticed things were a bit out of alignment and the chassis was missing an inch!

It has actually been crashed before and had the front end replaced (from a 1275). The plan will be to double butt weld the chassis rails inside and out and add some further hidden strengthening longitudinally inside the rail.

Figured I should just chop it all up and repair things properly!

I am kind of going a long way round to ending up with a 1275 shell, as I have ditched the front bumper mounts and probably going to be 1275-ing the rear end too.

Anyway... off to do some more in the garage!

Malcolm
Malcolm Le Chevalier

Just been out in the garage. Took some measurements and have come to the conclusion that the bottom bit is too long. There was a thread where I asked for measurements a while back (before I took the decision to saw the front off! :-D)

Also did a quick trial fitting of the front valance and wings and there is a gap at the back of the wing which would also make sense.

Rather than cut the bit off, I might try and fold it back a bit further. Then it gives me a bit more to weld on to.

Malcolm
Malcolm Le Chevalier

Pretty sure that when I fitted mine I had to grind a little off the vertical edge of that lower piece as well, - to make the step at the next level up fit properly. It isn't necessarily a "poorly made part" - I think they are made like that so that it can be cut to suit your particular car. Its just another of the elephant chunks!
Guy W

elephant chunks?!
Malcolm Le Chevalier

How you tackle your car restoration. Same as eating an elephant. Break the process into bite-sized chunks. So fettling to fit that front piece is just another elephant chunk.
Guy W

oooooooh, gotcha! I have a lot of chucks already cut up ready to eat! nom nom!

(nom is the sound us kids use to signify we are eating something if you are confused! ha ha!)

How is your Sprite going anyway Guy?

Cheers,
Malcolm
Malcolm Le Chevalier

Slowly. Still rebuilding the bonnet unit at the moment. Big bites for that one. Alignment of the wings and beading to the centre panel and avoiding unwanted twists is tricky and is taking ages. A bit scary!
Guy W

I just checked mine...its all.attached and welded into place

Trying.to snap a.few decent photos now, but little luck

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

And here they are....hard to see around the rhinno linner

http://db.tt/1pwkolye

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

And a last decent one....I hope these help

Prop

http://db.tt/0Y2mAOZo

Prop and the Blackhole Midget

This thread was discussed between 26/06/2013 and 28/06/2013

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