Road Trip in a Midget : MG Midget Forum : MG Experience Forums : The MG Experience

Road Trip in a Midget #1
GSlahor Gary Slahor Baltimore, USA 1971 MG Midget	Posted: September 11, 2012 12:34PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 64

Was just wondering if anyone else takes their Midget out on the road for a long"ish" trip?
Last weekend I made the trip (300mi ea way) from Baltimore to Watkins Glen for the SVRA Vintage weekend.
I was quite tentative about taking the car so far away from home, but she behaved like a champ, with zero problems all the way. The Rivergate 5 speed conversion allowed me to cruze at 70+ pretty easily on the interstate, which was my biggest fear.

Here's a pic at the Glen all loaded up with tent, cooler and all the goodies for the weekend.

BTW: I got 42 mpg cruzing at 60 up route 15....even dragging that cooler through the air. I was absolutely blown away !

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Midget at Watkins Glen.jpg (56.8 KB) –

Re: Road Trip in a Midget #2
YB Larry Youngblood Englewood, Ohio, USA 1975 MG Midget 1979 MG MGB 2006 Pontiac Solstice	Posted: September 11, 2012 01:14PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 881

A few years ago, when the speed limit was still 55 on the freeways, I drove my '75 Midget from Dayton, Ohio to Newport, RI for Navy Reserve active duty. Momma flew in for the last week I was there and the two of us drove it home. Now I am older, fatter and arthritic! Doubt seriously I could even consider doing something like that again...

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Re: Road Trip in a Midget #3
Billm Bill Masquelier Santee, Ca, USA 1965 MG Midget MkII	Posted: September 11, 2012 02:08PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 1,512

Last May I drove my '65 Midget from Seattle to San Diego (around 1100 miles) in 2 days- ran perfectly, no problems. Went around 65 MPH and got about 35 MPG (towing a Harbor Freight 8' trailer).
BillM

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Re: Road Trip in a Midget #4
rbastedo Rick Bastedo Snoqualmie, WA, USA	Posted: September 11, 2012 02:43PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 473

Seattle to Wisconsin and back in 2011.

When we drove 60 I got 40mpg.
That's with my big Nissan 1500 and dual 1.5" SU's.

60MPH = about 40MPG
75MPH = about 30MPG

Since the tanks are small you have to get out and stretch every few hours, that helps.
For myself having the Miata seats also helps, and I had massage motors in the backrest which I used almost constantly.

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Re: Road Trip in a Midget #5
SURFIT Mike Schultz Zionsville, IN, USA 1973 MG MGB	Posted: September 11, 2012 03:27PM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 793

Houston to L A via I-10 in two days with the top down and shirt off in my 74 Midget.
Bad sunburn on one side only. Drove with the heater on thru Phoenix where the temp.
was 120 F. Only problem was the points slipped in L A. Adjusted them on the side
of freeway at night while holding a flash-light in my mouth.

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Re: Road Trip in a Midget #6
Tveditr Eric EN Indianapolis, USA 1971 MG Midget	Posted: September 11, 2012 03:58PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 412

Ny to chicago round trip 1700 miles in three days.

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Re: Road Trip in a Midget #7
oldag98 Jeff and Brittany Brackenridge Choctaw, Choctaw, Oklahoma, USA 1965 MG MGB "B" 1976 MG Midget 1500 "Yellow One" 1977 MG Midget 1500 "Dunkirk" 1979 MG Midget 1500 "Parts Car"	Posted: September 11, 2012 04:10PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 2,211

Just did OKC, OK west to Fayetteville, Ark for Brits in the Ozarks. Had top down, no OD, no radio, gas gauge inoperative, temp gauge inoperative, terrible fuel smell in the cockpit, but did have newly rebuilt front suspension, newish tires, newly installed remaned shocks on all four corners, and an oil cooler, so all was well. Got sunburned and then caught in a rough thunderstorm that blew through, but that was the worst aspect of the trip.

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Re: Road Trip in a Midget #8
taskadog Phil Burke Tequesta/Orlando Florida, USA 1972 MG Midget	Posted: September 11, 2012 07:28PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 1,381

2008 West Palm Beach to Lake of the Ozarks, Sridget 50. 4 speed ribcase. 2600 mi. R/t
2011 Orlando to Road America WI. Midget 50. 5 speed Datsun 2400 mi r/t
2012 Orlando Dillard GA MG2012 1100 mi.

top down most of the way. Wet knees the rest of the time cool smiley

I carry a tool kit, cell phone, the "List", and a few spares

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Re: Road Trip in a Midget #9
1974MGMidget Jack Orkin Grayson, GA, USA	Posted: September 11, 2012 08:31PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 130

Heck, yeah! We always try to take a couple of long trips each year. Top down unless raining. My wife says she can't see the scenery with the top up and she never tires of seeing baby farm animals! We almost never take the Interstates. The secondary highways are for the most part in very good condition and usually have light traffic. And, the scenery is much nicer than the Interstate. You go through alot of interesting small towns - we ate at the Yellow Wood Cowboy's restaurant somewhere in a small Alabama town. It's the guy that invented the method to preserve wood after they took the arsenic out of it and he makes those awful commercials. He made a fortune and now owns much of the town, including a restaurant. We'll be going from Georgia to Natchez, Miss. in a couple of weeks via Tupelo and the Natchez Trace.

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Re: Road Trip in a Midget #10
Perdido Rut Rutledge Slapout, Alabama, USA	Posted: September 11, 2012 08:46PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 723

Jack,
You will love the trace, but mind the speed limit. Since its a federal road you can get a pretty big ticket for speeding and you don't go to the usual courts! Also, you have to leave the trace to get gas. Enjoy...
Rut

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Re: Road Trip in a Midget #11
taskadog Phil Burke Tequesta/Orlando Florida, USA 1972 MG Midget	Posted: September 12, 2012 06:51AM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 1,381

My friend Gary lives near the Trace south of Nashville. I drove on it going to Lake of Ozarks.
You'll have a great time, however X2 on the speed limit, you speed demon.
Drive it like you stole it devil smiley

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Re: Road Trip in a Midget #12
1974MGMidget Jack Orkin Grayson, GA, USA	Posted: September 12, 2012 09:00AM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 130

Thanks guys, I'm looking forward to it and will watch my speed. However, I am usually reminded of the speed limits by my navigator seated to my right!!

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Re: Road Trip in a Midget #13
taskadog Phil Burke Tequesta/Orlando Florida, USA 1972 MG Midget	Posted: September 12, 2012 09:46AM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 1,381

My next planned trip is MG 2014, in French Lick Indiana. 1800 mi. r/t

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Re: Road Trip in a Midget #14
rbastedo Rick Bastedo Snoqualmie, WA, USA	Posted: September 12, 2012 10:07AM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 473

It would be great to start looking forward to another Spridget get together.
Would Nevada be too far for you East Coast guys?
Seems like somewhere in Nevada was one of the choices last time, but then Wisconsin was chosen?

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Re: Road Trip in a Midget #15
purpleGT Bud Osbourne Pittsburgh, PA., USA 1974 MG MGB GT "The Grape" 1977 MG MGB	Posted: September 12, 2012 10:31AM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 2,279

Oh, yeah. For the past 30 years. Latest was to Watkins Glen, last weekend. As usual, the car ran like a charm and made the "big" Triumphs travelling with us really work hard to keep us in sight, on the back roads winking smiley

.
Had to decide between our Porsche 356B S-90 coupe and the Midget. With hot, humid weather forcast for the drive up (from Pittsburgh), I opted for the Midget and (as usual) never once regretted the choice. Sure, the 356 is way faster and very comfortable, but the Midget is still the most fun you can have in a car with your clothes on. The Midget just never seems to lose it's charm.

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Re: Road Trip in a Midget #16
7mg2 Andrew Hardie Calgary, Alberta, Canada 1969 MG MGC GT "Mr "C"" 1972 MG Midget	Posted: September 12, 2012 02:23PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 2,182

In reply to # 2168155 by purpleGT Oh, yeah. For the past 30 years. Latest was to Watkins Glen, last weekend. As usual, the car ran like a charm and made the "big" Triumphs travelling with us really work hard to keep us in sight, on the back roads winking smiley

.
Had to decide between our Porsche 356B S-90 coupe and the Midget. With hot, humid weather forcast for the drive up (from Pittsburgh), I opted for the Midget and (as usual) never once regretted the choice. Sure, the 356 is way faster and very comfortable, but the Midget is still the most fun you can have in a car with your clothes on. The Midget just never seems to lose it's charm.

Big "OH YEAH" here too. Went to California and back in 8 days back in '78 for the USGP west at Long Beach. Car never missed a beat despite still being winter here in the big white north.

More recently, I've just returned from the Portland Or ABFM where the car won the chrome Midget class in the peoples choice deal, and gave fault free spirited driving throughout the 2400 mile tour which included the Olympic peninsula of Washington, and the very picturesque Cascade Scenic highway (route 20) through northern Washington.
All this two up with a big load of luggage including a full trunk rack for the two week trip. Put the accompanying MGB's to shame in both performance and economy. Best fuel mileage was 50 (big imperial gallon) and worst 30. Median was 36-38. This is a hopped up 1275 with a lead footed driver. I do have a 5 speed, but didn't use 5th nearly as much as I thought I would since we never saw the interstate. 5th just kept the noise down to a more acceptable level. Oh, top down the entire time BTW, except day 1 in the rain when I got the 50mpg.
My face will hurt for a while from the grin I've been wearing for the past couple weeks.

I LOVE this car in ways words cannot explain. thumbs up smiley

Andy

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Re: Road Trip in a Midget #17
ianjoub ian joubert Homosassa, FL, USA 1970 MG Midget	Posted: September 12, 2012 06:05PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 678

In reply to # 2167530 by SURFIT Drove with the heater on thru Phoenix where the temp.
was 120 F. Only problem was the points slipped in L A. Adjusted them on the side
of freeway at night while holding a flash-light in my mouth.

True british motoring there winking smiley

Ian:
Mo's Auto Repair / JTI Suspensions
352-382-7433

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Re: Road Trip in a Midget #18
taskadog Phil Burke Tequesta/Orlando Florida, USA 1972 MG Midget	Posted: September 12, 2012 07:24PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 1,381

In reply to # 2168123 by rbastedo It would be great to start looking forward to another Spridget get together.
Would Nevada be too far for you East Coast guys?
Seems like somewhere in Nevada was one of the choices last time, but then Wisconsin was chosen?

I have suggested that we meet at MG2014 in French Lick Indiana.
Unfortunately, anywhere is going to be a long drive for you and I Rick.

When we where last looking for a spot, I suggested we keep the location between I 25 and I 75, or roughly between Denver and Indianapolis

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Re: Road Trip in a Midget #19
Tveditr Eric EN Indianapolis, USA 1971 MG Midget	Posted: September 12, 2012 07:38PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 412

Im in for french lick only live about 60 miles from there.

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Re: Road Trip in a Midget #20
metalhead Andrew F NSW, Australia 1970 MG Midget MkIII 1977 Mazda 3 1979 Ford F-250	Posted: September 12, 2012 09:46PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 417

These cars were built for driving. Last week, I put the engine back in the car on Wednesday afternoon (clutch repair) and had put >800km (~500miles) of mostly back roads on the car by Friday night, despite working full days on both Thursday and Friday! Big grin attached to my face once more. smiling smiley

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