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 - Restoration Details

There are some details I don't have answers for. I am numbering them for easier response. This is for my '63 midget.
1. Is the gas painted black? Flat, semigloss? paint code?
2. What would you use to restore the mirror reflective finish?
3. Is the drive shaft painted black?
4. Is the brake box and blanking plate painted with the same paint as the heater box? What paint/code?
5. What is the paint code for the hood stays and tonneau bows?
6. What paint code is used for the black on the front by the radiator?
7. Is there a paint code for the suspension pieces?

Thank you for any info. John
J Bubela

The answers I can give are based on my unrestored 63, and other GAN 2 cars I have seen. I hope I'm right, but not the expert, so can't be totally sure.

1. Fuel tank - semi gloss black

2. I know reflective mirrors can be restored, but not sure what to use. I have seen the replating service advertized in Hemmings.

3. Driveshaft - semi gloss black

4. Brake box and blanking plate have always been semi gloss black (as is the heater box) in every car I have seen. They are in mine. Master cyl is unpainted.

5. I dont know the paint code, but it is a light gloss grey.

6. Black cars have gloss paint there (body color). All other colors in 63 have matte black.

7. I don't know the paint code, but again, semi gloss black. Steering arms are bright yellow.

Hope this helps and If I'm off somewhere, hopefully someone will chime in.
B Durham

Additional information to #6. The central vertical support in the area behind the grill on Midgets was body color, not matte black like on Sprites. I guess they decided that they didn't need to paint that matte black since it was covered by the grille plinth. Saved a shilling or two per car.
B Durham

5 blmc cummulus grey from what I remember
Flip
Flip Brühl 948 frog 59

#5: hood stays, tonneau sticks and rear hardtop mounting brackets indeed cumulus grey.
#6: Black on the radiator surround was brush painted.
#7: Steering arms (and coil springs) may have a light green stripe on the disc braked cars. (There is a change in part-number for the steering arms and the colour swap from yellow to green was perhaps an easy help for identification).

Time to get my anorak.....8^)

Nick, '63Midget


D.G.J. Herwegh

1. i wouldn't recommend trying to paint the gas, just use it as it comes out of the pump.

I'll get my coat
Chris Edwards

Nick,
Your engine bay is a thing of beauty. I'm sure the rest of the car is as well.
Phil
Phil

Niek,

Did your steering arms have the green stripe? My early (Jan 63) GAN2 has the solid yellow steering arms, and was one among the first 1200 GAN2 cars made. If I remember correctly, yours is one of the last 600 or so GAN2 cars. If yours had the yellow steering arms, then we can pretty much determine that the green striped arm came on the very last GAN2s or with the introduction of the GAN3.
B Durham

Bryan,
My GAN2 was assembled in August 1963 and has a green stripe running along the steering arm.
According to Terry Horler the change in steering arms ocurred in Feb 1963 (HAN7-28369/GAN2-18473), roughly 2300 GAN2 Midgets were built by then...
Parts manual AKD3566 confirms this.
My steering arms are part# BTA648(right) and BTA649(left). I guess yours are ATA4130 & ATA4131 respectively ??!!
Phil,
Thanks for your comment, find attached a photo of the rest of the car...

Nick, '63Midget


D.G.J. Herwegh

Hey Nick,


Just in case your not aware....You have to put oil in the engine, Something your obviously not doing.....some belive the oil inside the engine is needed to lubricate moving parts, but the true reason is for the oil to be splashed back out of the engine and do a proper coating of the engine bay and all of its componetes so you can avoid the rust bunnies...LOL.

I agree with phil, vary nice

Prop
Prop

This thread was discussed between 28/10/2009 and 29/10/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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