New project, not a mini but still 60's

[chris-pilling]

Hello, i thought id just add a couple of photos of my new project. Well its a joint project for me and the old fella to get it back on the road and probably do a bit of hillclimbing etc.

Were actually trying to do a bit of research into its history (if there is any) as its been of the road sometime around 30years. We imagine it was sort of known, the colour might jog some memories!? it was running some fairly trick stuff for the time and i imagine it was i bit more than just a fast road car. If anybody has any old motoring mags that it might have been in or knows any history of it we'd be very interested in anything you have to say.








cheers chris

[InimiaD]

Interesting project.
Did it come from the SA postcode area by any chance.?

[chris-pilling]

InimiaD,

no not from where we bought it.. have you seen it before?

[coopertim]

Nice project!! Always had a soft spot for MG's especially round wheelarch Midgets.

Tim.

[JC T ONE]

Hi Chris,

Dont have a colour photo from the 60ies, but is it the JanSpeed Midget, driven by NZ John Dale?

Jens Christian

[JC T ONE]

Hi Chris, got your PM, and yes to your question, will hear from me later.

what would the colour, on the Midget be called ?

[chris-pilling]

J c, to me it looks like 'apple jack' in colour.. However I'm not sure! also we though it might have been a healey sprite and not a midget? Its got the same sort of dash as a frogeye etc however its hard to tell which is a mg and which is a healey anyway! Apart from the badge!

[sclemow]

Ahh, brings back memories of fabricating front spring hangers and welding rusty floors, boot floors, wings, front chassis members etc, looks almost as rusty as my old one

They are great fun though, enjoy!

[UHR850]

That is a FAT one, I like the wheels !!

[InimiaD]

InimiaD,

no not from where we bought it.. have you seen it before?

My mates father has / had something very similar, but I'm sure his had Knock-On hubs fitted.

[JC T ONE]

Hi Chris,

you got mail.

I just had a look at the original photo--it IS a SU carb sitting infront of the windscreen

It looks like it very well could be John Dale,s car--if it turns out to be, is it a very successfull machine you have found
John Dale was so effective, with the car, that he was awarded the BARC,s Peter Collins Memorial Trophy, as the years most promising driver in 1969.

Ohh did I mention he worked at Abingdon too before joining Team JanSpeed.

J C

[davidnutland]

Hi Chris I have some bodywork for the sprite if you are interested.

David

[graeme1293]

Jens I don't think is the John Dale car - the photo you sent me was a Mk1 Midget (or Mk2 Sprite) with the sliding sidescreens and a different screen. This is a Mk 2,3 or 4 windup window car and it doesn't have a fibreglass one piece front.

This looks like a Modsports Midget to me - I thought it looked like Fred Games CCC one - but I found a track test for that (Sept 73 CCC) and its also an early car.

They are really cool J A Pearce wheels!

Nice find!

Graeme

[graeme1293]

Could this be it?

The screen and rear guards look similar - but this looks to have a fibreglass front. And the hardtop although similar is not the same. This is David Harrisons car



http://www.racing70s.pwp.blueyonder.co. ... mg_017.htm is a link to this and a couple of others

[chris-pilling]

hello,

i also dont think its the janspeed car after a good study of that photo Jc. it looks to be a one piece front end on the janspeed one held on with rubber straps on the wings to the sill and also that scoop on mine is in definatly not for a dashpot sticking out as the carbs are in a different position ..

Graeme1293, i was told it was modsport car from the chap we bought it from, he seems to recall it was a sprite and not a mg as he's a healey man, but it bloody confusing looking at them! im also in touch with a chap from the spriget club and im going to see if he can find out anything about the car. the search continues

ps davidnutland, i'l send you a pm now!

[JC T ONE]

hello,

i also dont think its the janspeed car after a good study of that photo Jc. it looks to be a one piece front end on the janspeed one held on with rubber straps on the wings to the sill and also that scoop on mine is in definatly not for a dashpot sticking out as the carbs are in a different position ..

Yes and if it had different doors too like Graeme say, its probably a different car.

Still would like to know what kind of engine setup, that was in the JanSpeed thou??
I have never seen a carb in that position before maybe it had some kind of Blower on?
anyone inhere have a suggestion ??

Jens Christian

[chris-pilling]

yes i was thinking along the lines of a charger, could have been a shorrock charger..

i have a 1425 motor for it and straight cut box and lsd. The box and lsd came with the car. im still yet to check that they are there! as its been to cold to go any further with it! i was thinking of trying to make it look like a late 60's healey sprite racer..

however thinking about it, it would be nice to 8 port it! a good friend of mine planted the seed in my head.. ha, i'l have to see how far the purse strings will stretch! the body is a rot box! i dont know where to start

[graeme1293]

Another one with similar flared guards? Looks like a one peice front and the hardtop is wrong. And Minilites not JAPs.

[aquamini]

Hi Chris,
you are a gluten for punishment!!! theres hair in the boot! alapesha?jimmy saville?cool wheels ditch the arches pregnant skateboard Jon.

[chris-pilling]

Hi Chris,
you are a gluten for punishment!!! theres hair in the boot! alapesha?jimmy saville?cool wheels ditch the arches pregnant skateboard Jon.

haha, yeh i know jon.. just wait to you see it haha.. its BAD.. its actually worse than it looks! you can help if you like? i know your good at panel work and dont worry i'l take credit for it haha cough cough mini mag this month.. mini techniques shell that "he" restored!!! come again! i thought he bought that of you and painted the roof purple? o well boasters get no where..

regarding the hair you are correct in thinking that its from jimmy saville, its his merkin! its not faired well in the boot mind you