MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - 1500 rebody to 1275 shell ?

Hi Guys, I have a 1500 midget with good mechanicals but a bit of a patchy body tub. I have just started my Chrome Bumper conversion which will be the whole 9 yards, springs front and rear and new front wings etc.

I am toying with the idea of possibly buying a cheap RWA body tub off eBay and reshelling it at some point.

My questions are do the 1500 mechanicals go straight into a 1275 chassis ? I am thinking engine & gearbox mounts, exhaust, radiator ...

What about resale value of a 1500 powered RWA Midget ?

I guess the logical thing to do would be to just get my 1500 straight then buy an RWA Midget swap all the good bits over and then flog the 1500 but hey since when did logic ever come into Midget ownership and I actually quite like the 3.7 diff, mid range torque, helical first gear with syncromesh and not doing a gearbox overhaul every 12 months.
Ben Brown

Hi Ben.

One must ask the question why you would want to use the 1500 running gear in a 1275 shell.....?

There has been much discussion on this BBS regarding such 'conversions' and the potential 'fraudulant' claims of identity for pre '73 Road tax benifit.

As for your question, eveything suspension wise will fit, you should replace the road springs with the 'chrome bumpered' cars versions. Your big stumbling block wil be engine and gearbox installation. Weere the gearbox bay be straight forward, the engine may prove a little more of a challenge.

My reccomendation would be to buy a 1275 Spridget and IF you have fears of the gearbox having to be rebuilt every year, then do one of the common 5 speed conversions. However, unless you drive like a total nut with no mechanical sympathy, your standard 1275 gearbox will last a good length of time. I had a client (and still a great friend) in the UK who competed in his 1970 Sprite very hard in long distance endurance events (Classic Marathon, Rally of the Tests etc) who's gearbox I would 'freshen' every year and the wear was only minimal and it NEVER failed....!

Mark.
M T Boldry

I'm not being rude, but, you've already damned the 1500 several times, so, why don't you just sell it, and buy one of the several cheapish 1275s that are actually on ebay right at the moment? Obviously this would probably work out cheaper than all this work, but, it'd be what you actually want! There is even a nice one with a 12 month MOT on it for under £1500, and, if I remember rightly, you paid £800 for your 1500 - well, the difference in price would certainly be less than all of this work!
rachmacb

Your major problem will be modifying the front cross member to clear the 1500's bottom pulley.
Deborah Evans

Many thanks Guys, and Girls it would appear, thanks Deborah I think that the front crossmember would be the sticking point.

Racmacb appologies if I have damned the 1500 several times I was totally unaware of doing so but text is a poor means of comunication and open to interpretation so sorry once again.

There are definately firm followers of the 1500 and this talk of converting them to look like the 1275 seems to get the blood going. I will stop while I still can :-)

Re the 1275 gearbox if you get a good one and treat it kindly with a standard engine then all is well. However there are now lots of worn out ones about and if you tune up your engine a little and drive with a little spirit then they dont last too long in my experiance. I have done the 5 speed conversion a couple of times before one Toyota and one Ford type 9, not to mention a 1500 Spitfire (now I am really damned :-)) and I must say it is an excellent conversion really transforms the car. But it does involve chopping the crossmember and I am a little worried about that recent scare about loseing tax free status and landing on a Q plate not to mention the cost.

Dont think the reshell is the way to go given the crossmember, amount of work and hassle and dubious resale value. I think I will get the little 1500 up together and drive it for another 6 months or so and then decide which I preffer. Probably a K midget :-)
Ben Brown

It's cool - and over!

Why not save the 1500 in the garage then for a k-series, and buy a 1275 for fun now? Reckon that will still work out cheaper ;)!!!!! Also gives time for any panics regarding tax/q-plates/etc to be found out and sorted - thereby, hopefully saving you even more money.

Rach - can ya tell I'm a Scot yet;)!
rachmacb

Rach - can ya tell I'm a Scot yet;)!

Well with a Mac surname you are either a Scot or Irish (and the Scottish Gael were originally Irish anyway).

Although as a female you should strictly have a Nic or Ni surname. :)

Deborah Evans

Ben
you've never had a good ribcase.

they take a fair amount of beating for a long time if treated with respect.

Onno "+80bhp through a ribcase without a hitch" Könemann
Onno Könemann

Hi Onno, You could well be right a common problem is people / garages puting hypoid gear oil in them thinking it will be better than motor oil, doesn't do them any favours. cheers Ben
Ben Brown

Deb is right, front crossmember that mounts the steering rack needs to be modified to clear the 1500 and there will be several access holes in the trans tunnel that will be differently located. That's the worst of it though. Resale won't be as high as an A series engine, but shouldn't be too bad if the car is well finished.
Bill Young

This thread was discussed between 13/03/2010 and 15/03/2010

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.