Spridget Tech Talk (MG Midget & Austin-Healey Sprite)
Getting ready to get the '70 model painted. Thinking about putting some racing stripes but want some feed back. The pictures show blue masking tape, but thinking about white painted stripes that go down the whole body. Would you do this or not?
Thanks
If I do another midget, I would make it bumperless. I think that the bumperless look makes the car look much sportier than the stripes. Then... if I wanted to do stripes I would make them symmetrical to the car.
However, it is your car and your opinion is the only one that counts.
Hmmm.... I guess it depends on how many HP the stripes add.
They are actually called "Go faster stripes"... officially. That's the word from the top.
I'm in the camp of make your car your own. There was another stripes discussion a while back
http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read.php?3,1432166,1432166#msg-1432166
Oh, and since you are repainting, I'd suggest removing the side markers and reverse lights.
Sorry you asked for an opinion on stripes? (:D
Personal taste issue again. But since you asked . . . I don't like stripes and wouldn't buy a car that had them.
Sooo, if you put stripes on make sure they will come off fairly easily. Stripes could hurt your resale effort . . .
hey morris
if you want to beef her up a litle ditch that moulding from the grill and moove the grill foword box it in with s/s check mine out expand photo
colin
Morris,
Opinions are like belly buttons...everybody has one.
It's your car for you to enjoy and have fun with...make it like you want.
The heck with resale value (unless maybe it is/or is going to be a concours restoration/show car). Besides, these aren't worth a whole lot anyway and will probably be redone by the next owner.
Jack
For some reason I really only care for white body with stripes. I've never been a fan of all white cars for some reason, but add a stripe and I think it can work. Any other color I don't really care for them.
When I was turning this very issue through my mind when I was getting my Midget painted someone came up with a great idea. No stripes and if you wish to temporarily use stripes, use vinyl stripes that can be pulled off later. When I owned a MINI, some owners used magnetic backed stripes.
YMMV
Geoff
PS. Oh, did I mention I'm a fan of sans bumpers?
I was a car designer for many years. I won't tell you if you should or shouldn't, that's up to you, but I can give you some suggestions. First, don't make the distance between them the same as the width of the stripes. Then, I would say the stripes you've taped on are too narrow for the proportions of a midget, its a visual thing, so I can't say exactly how wide, but I'd go at least half again as wide with the same distance between that you have now. Just take a 1" tape and lay it down beside the stripes you have there. Then try 2" 1 3/4 etc. Look at several different widths before you decide. Then try different details like a 1/4" or 1/8" stripe just off the outside edges.
Tape is cheap compared to paint. We used to go through it by the box when doing full size clay models.
I like the stripes and think Paul hit the nail on the head. Try the narrow stripes on the outer edges. I'm thinking of a candy apple red with silver stripes on mine, but I keep changing my mind.... Good idea to use the tape, but get some in white! Playing in PhotoShop I've feathered the edges, expanded the stripes towards the back ect... and now am thinking of a solid bold stripe on the drivers side with narrow stripes on both sides of it.
Be creative and unique, or make it the same as from the factory.
I don't like the offset stripes. If you do I would go down the middle.
well morris its up to you
i know i said it was your car but you need to consider this, do i want my car to look mean or cool you sound like you come from the mean stable to me
have a look at mine had a few beers last time and forgot the picture so here it is tell me what you think
colin
I' going to try BugeyePaul's suggestion. Then see what it looks like.
I second that painted stripes will hurt your resale value and that the space between should be narrower than the stripes. Magnetic or otherwise removable stripes is a great idea.
If you go with them, I suggest centering the stripes on the driver. This might mean narrower to stay on the hood at the front. I think it would visually make more sense looking from the outside with a driver sitting inside, and I think it would be less distracting to the driver while driving.
I tried out the vinyl stripes. Looks ok to me. They're only temporary. $20 out of pocket. Learned a little about how not to apply tape. Teenager mutants from the planet JAKAZZ thought they were cool.
Keeping the stuff straight is pretty easy. It's keeping the wrinkles and bubbles out that is hard to do.
Thanks bugeyedPaul for the ideer.
Morris, that looks good! When you start the body work, take off the passanger side stripes and the small stripe on the passanger side of the large drivers side stripe to see how you like it. Then take a picture to share so I can see how I like it. Might be the route I go.>:D<
The stripes look fine to me, Morris. Makes the car look a tad bit sportier. I think you are on to something there!
I think that the stripes are staying. Was at Home Depot, and some guy came up and said " That one sweet little ride, brother"
I also think they improve the visibility of the car.
The stripes look good but they seem to be further apart on the rear than the front; perhaps I'm just crazy.
Funny you ask... I have taken the passenger seat out and ripped out some carpet. About to start taking things apart to start body work. I was pleasantly surprised how much stuff you can get into a Midget. Seriously thinking about leaving the passenger seat for a while. Maybe even try to get it registered as a Farm Truck.
I can get an entire bill of groceries in the car... no problem.
At the moment the Midget is my primary mode of Transport.
About the distance between stripes. You are correct below. The rears are wider than the fronts.
I love stripes, get compliments on them everywhere I go. I'm in the boat thoughts of make it how you want it. I do suggest wider main stripes though. I believe mine are 7.5 inches wide with 1/4" silver then 1/4" green on top of that. I took my measurements from a hood we got off a wrecked racing midget.
I dunno... as everyone has mentioned, it's a personal preference thing. I can't help but think that a stripe eggs on the "show me what ya got" challenges/ "So what's under the hood buddy"?? enquiries.. another (devils' advocate thought - would it affect resale as a "raced" car??)
G'Day Team,
Stripes ADD to the look of the car - not detract from it! Cheers,
Like Granny says "That's why they make chocolate and vanilla ice cream."
I like stripes. Fits my car's personality. If it begs a challenge from
the next driver...so be it. Strap it on tight...it's go time!
Besides...chicks dig stripes. (:P)
I like my flag (tu)
My way of snubbing GM and Ford i guess.
My car was a plain Jane midget. A set of white coated MGB wires and some well laid down rattle can stripes and it turns heads everywhere. You can't hurt a car like this with a little personality.
I like stripes, one should make their car their own. As for resale value, you guys are kidding right:D :D , there is no such thing as properly restoring one of these cars and making money, unless your labor rate is the same as the kid who does the fries at Mickey Dees. This hobby has always been about fun, not resale value.
Kris
I've never seen white wire wheels...that's NICE!
(tu)
I like the stripes. They look cool. My black and white midget has stickers for the boxes on the front and back. I get compliments on the car everywhere I go, even though I'm not particularly keen to them.
Oh, my bad (they do look like scallops in his avatar, so there!) ;)
Ha! I spent like 5 minutes looking at all the pics in this thread trying to find scallops! Flames I found.
Morris,
Do what you want.I went for stripes and took marker lights, back up lights and door handles off. Three trophy's since completion in July!
Fred
Fred,
This may be a n00b question, but how do you get in your car if you have the windows and top up?
Stu
Stu
The first four inches of the top attachment is velcro. Just peel it back and reach in to open the door.
Fred
Door poppers (solenoids) with an alarm or some form of keyless entry would be the ideal way to do it.
I've always wondered why my top has velcro there. Interesting to see how it's a vestigial part from earlier models.