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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Quarter Light Frames

I wonder if anybody can help me with a question regarding the difference between stainless steel frames a chrome frames apart from the obvious material difference.

I have a MK111 midget body and am looking to make one piece windows (non winding but with sliders) it would be my preference to use stainless steel frames as I can tig weld and then polish out any marks and repairs.

Do they both fit the same year cars etc
mc Wilks

They are interchangeable.

The most noticeable difference in is the profile - the SS ones being slightly flatter.
Dave O'Neill 2

Colour me curious. Do you mean they will slide down into the door and can be pulled up and locked into place?
Trevor Jessie

Trevor, the window will be secured in place (i will make some form of retainer) the slider is a small window that will open for ventilation etc as used on rally cars mainly so the co-driver can pass out time sheets etc see the attached image.

It will of course mean very little required in the way of door furniture, save weight and money.

I am building the car as a sort of road legal race car that may see the track but probably won't




mc Wilks

Oh, OK.

Why not just build it out of aluminum channel?
Trevor Jessie

It would be very tricky to make a frame from aluminium channel as I would need to get bends and angles right.

What I intend to do is cut two SS frames using the front part of the quarter light as as fixing and then getting the lexan window made to suit complete with factory bow.

Attached image should give you some idea of what the frame will look like.


mc Wilks

exactly what I'm proposing to do on my Lenham; do keep us updated how it turns out :-)
Are you making the Lexan windows yourself or going to somebody like P4P or Templar Performance?
David Smith

David I am getting them from P4P as they have done one set before, are you currently building a lenham as it would be nice to exchange ideas
mc Wilks

OK, aluminum channel would prove problematic for replicating the factory bow. I was thinking of just making it flat and increasing the inward angle.
Trevor Jessie

I have a rotten-as-a-pear one to unpick and dismantle, and a restored shell waiting to be built up. Starting in earnest early next month (been saying that for a year!)
David Smith

I think the aluminum channel is actually a good idea

You could take some flat/ squared aluminum (soft steel) bar that fits snuggly into the aluminum channel... and bend that into shape with heat, then its just a matter of forming the aluminum channel onto your soild square forms... and bobs your uncle

As to the channel wall thickness ... it wouldnt need to be very thick its just holdijg and guilding the lexon

Btw... here there is a differance between lexon and plexi, the lexon is really soft, and pliable and dulls easily, id think plexi would be the better choice as its harder, has less give,and stays clearer if you dont abuse it

On the alumiume channel... id make it a bit wider in the channels and add in some good stiff thick felt for the window to slide in ... it would make it easier smoother to slide, reduce rattleing noise, and require less precision during the creation becuse you have more play involved.

Of course, there is a little thing called reality, so none of my thoughts above would probably not work

But I do like the concept and what your trying to accomplish

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Thanks for your comments Prop I will post a picture or two when I get it done, the company that make the windows offer a hard coating as an optional extra which I will be having.
Martyn Wilks

I look forward to it martyn

I wasnt aware of a coating for lexon, thanks for the heads up, new options


Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

This thread was discussed between 03/11/2015 and 06/11/2015

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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