MG Midget Forum
Went on a 200 mile drive yesterday.
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Shirley and I left home yesterday for a 200+mile top down drive in our Midget. Starting in the morning the temp was about 50 degrees and heavy fog with some drizzle. We went to visit some close friends 80 miles to the north. One of them is the person I purchased the Midget from, Another was his dad who I once worked for. By the time we got to the son's body shop the sun was out and it was close to 60 degrees. It wasn't long and everybody was out front in the parking lot looking over the Midget.
It was fun. There was picture taking and looking the car over. They were excited to see it back together and many compliments. Considering these guys have done a considerable amount of restoration projects over many years it felt great. Then they called the owner that had the car when he was in high school and taken it apart in an attempt to restore the Midget and after he had it all torn down realized he was way over his head. He is Sheriff Deputy now and stopped over in his squad car. He was really excited to see it back together and said he felt really bad about how he left it in such a mess. They were all glad that I got the car because they felt that it would never have been put back together otherwise.
When we were getting ready to leave they were kidding me about getting on the throttle when leaving and was given the "go ahead" by the officer, he wanted to hear it also. I took that as a mandatory order to not disappoint.
So we went for lunch and met with a few other good friends. And one of them was also a veteran car restorer.
After lunch we said our goodbys and headed out for another nearby town to visit the shop that had rebuilt the engine in 2003. The owner was very happy to see that the car was finally back together also. He remembered working on the engine and told me some of what had been done. Things like replacing valve seats, boring the block, a little more aggressive cam, and shaving the head. So we had a nice conversation and again I had to get on it when we left so he could hear how it runs. Just hate that part!
There were the random compliments from people at places we stopped at and the "I had one of those when" or "my friend had one" comments.
Now there are a little more than 600 miles on the "new" car and it runs great. There are supposed to be a couple more days in the 60's before the weather will be turning colder. Shirley has been figuring things we can do and places we can go. She is warming up to it and will be getting behind the wheel too.
Tom Smith
1974 Midget
1976 TR6
It was fun. There was picture taking and looking the car over. They were excited to see it back together and many compliments. Considering these guys have done a considerable amount of restoration projects over many years it felt great. Then they called the owner that had the car when he was in high school and taken it apart in an attempt to restore the Midget and after he had it all torn down realized he was way over his head. He is Sheriff Deputy now and stopped over in his squad car. He was really excited to see it back together and said he felt really bad about how he left it in such a mess. They were all glad that I got the car because they felt that it would never have been put back together otherwise.
When we were getting ready to leave they were kidding me about getting on the throttle when leaving and was given the "go ahead" by the officer, he wanted to hear it also. I took that as a mandatory order to not disappoint.
So we went for lunch and met with a few other good friends. And one of them was also a veteran car restorer.
After lunch we said our goodbys and headed out for another nearby town to visit the shop that had rebuilt the engine in 2003. The owner was very happy to see that the car was finally back together also. He remembered working on the engine and told me some of what had been done. Things like replacing valve seats, boring the block, a little more aggressive cam, and shaving the head. So we had a nice conversation and again I had to get on it when we left so he could hear how it runs. Just hate that part!
There were the random compliments from people at places we stopped at and the "I had one of those when" or "my friend had one" comments.
Now there are a little more than 600 miles on the "new" car and it runs great. There are supposed to be a couple more days in the 60's before the weather will be turning colder. Shirley has been figuring things we can do and places we can go. She is warming up to it and will be getting behind the wheel too.
Tom Smith
1974 Midget
1976 TR6
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 Pittsburgh, PA., USA
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Oct 25, 2014 02:55 PM
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Oct 25, 2014 04:52 PM
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 Nashville, TN, USA
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1963 Chevrolet Corvair "Cheeto!"
1965 Chevrolet Corvair "Ski Team Transport SOLD!" 1965 MG Midget MkII "Buffoon --- SOLD!!!" 1966 MG Midget MkII "Swiss Cheese...SCRAPPED" & more |
Oct 25, 2014 08:06 PM
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 Joined 12 years ago
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My Midget has been in the shop for three weeks. I should have known the last good driving days in the 60s and 70s would be over by the time I got it back. Here's to good heaters and my restored hardtop installed!
 Sunnyvale, CA, USA
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Sounds like a blast with good company and beautiful country! What else could be better. 
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 south bend, IN., USA
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1962 Triumph TR4 "My First Triumph"
1962 Triumph TR4 "Big Red" 1964 Triumph TR4 "Ugly Duckling" 1971 Triumph Spitfire MkIV & more |
Tom,where's the pics? This sounds like some episode of the Andy Griffith show,going around town. Plus you don't give yourself enough credit
Just kidding from a fellow Triumph owner! I know your proud...
Just kidding from a fellow Triumph owner! I know your proud...
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