The MG that Tami had to have

[vertigo]

So, in October Tami (the wife) and I drove to Shepherdsville, KY to simultaneously sell my rarely used 12' boat and pick up this 1975 MG Midget. The draw for her was a small roadster that she could drive to cruise-ins and have fun in general with. I reluctantly agreed on the conditions of A) She does a lot of the work herself, and B) There is no time limit, only an achievable goal.
We got to the previous owner's house around 10:00pm, and after inspecting and a general bullshit session, we loaded it. This car had the Ford 2.3T under (sort of), some crap pinto transmission, and the entire original 1500 engine and 4-speed transmission. Apparently he'd owned it for 4 years and was conned by his neighbor to do this swap.

http://i1308.photobucket.com/albums/s612/VertigoXr7/image_zps8b69bdcf.jpg (http://s1308.photobucket.com/user/VertigoXr7/media/image_zps8b69bdcf.jpg.html)

As you may see, the hood won't latch. 2.3 sits way high. After some debate, we decided to ditch the 2.3 in favor of rebuilding the original. Contrary to popular belief, I was the one in favor of the original. Too many other obstacles, ie: transmission, rear diff, suspension and brakes. Plus, I believe you lose some of the essence of what a vintage roadster is supposed to be.

[vertigo]

http://i1308.photobucket.com/albums/s612/VertigoXr7/image_zps74f5d0d2.jpg (http://s1308.photobucket.com/user/VertigoXr7/media/image_zps74f5d0d2.jpg.html)

Here is the 1500 lump. The previous owner almost shit his pants while he was monkeying with his cherry picker and I lifted the engine and carried it to the trailer. Might've been 20', so I'm not winning any strongman competitions.
We plan to do a gasket match port, and mild polish, a fast road cam, header and maybe a small bore job. Undecided on the carb. The goal is 100hp, 90-ish ft/lbs. We've been looking at dual Webers, which are stupid expensive, dual HS4's, and I've been exploring motorcycle carbs. Any opinions? Anybody got cheap parts they're never gonna use?

[vertigo]

http://i1308.photobucket.com/albums/s612/VertigoXr7/image_zpsad724a93.jpg (http://s1308.photobucket.com/user/VertigoXr7/media/image_zpsad724a93.jpg.html)

As it currently sits. I've gutted the interior with the exception of the dash and top. My grandfather and I are going to make a walnut gauge panel. I've found laminated, color-coded wiring diagrams for $20, so I'll invest in those. I plan to rewire the whole car.
All in all, I see this as a fun, reasonable project that we can do together and enjoy for a long time. I'll update as I complete tasks.
She decided on metallic navy blue exterior with "biscuit" top and interior.

[draggin50]

Gonna be a cool car when its done! A guy down around Aberdeen used to restore a lot of these. He was a teacher at Ohio Valley Vocational School in West Union. Robert Mowen was his name.

[bbfstanger]

sbf c4 coversion!!

[vertigo]

sbf c4 coversion!!

If I wanted that power level with this thing, I'd have kept the 2.3t. If it was an MGB, then a Windsor would we in there already. Too much cutting, too much other crap to add. Adding 35hp should be plenty. Eventually we'll do a T9 5-speed swap, but that's later. She didn't want to cut the hood, as it and the whole body are straight and rust-free.

[vertigo]

Gonna be a cool car when its done! A guy down around Aberdeen used to restore a lot of these. He was a teacher at Ohio Valley Vocational School in West Union. Robert Mowen was his name.

Thanks! I'll have to see about irritating him. There's a heap of info on these things, but nothing beats having someone who has done it firsthand.

[vertigo]

We've been having a debate about the bumpers. She wants chrome pre-75, and grille. I said just bumperettes like the old Cobras had. I think I'm gonna lose. She likes chrome so much I think she grew up in East LA.

[vertigo]

http://i1308.photobucket.com/albums/s612/VertigoXr7/image_zps9363398a.jpg (http://s1308.photobucket.com/user/VertigoXr7/media/image_zps9363398a.jpg.html)

So here is the empty engine bay after I yanked the engine. If you notice all the maroon primer, that's where "fab work" was done. They chopped 9+" out of the passenger floor to clear the turbo. Also chopped the battery tray out. And you might see the Ford motor mounts sticking up like a bug's antennae.

[Gearhead]

Looks to be in decent shape ? Most of them seemed to rust real quick. Neighbor that lived next to us when I was a kid had a couple of them.

[vertigo]

It is really solid. A bit of surface scum on the inner lip of the hood (or is this one a bonnet?), a tiny bit where the passenger fender meets the pan and a few pinholes in the floors. All in all it's good.
Weird sidenote: I bought it near Louisville, he bought it in Lexington and I found a registration from '05 from Price Hill.

[bbfstanger]

wow that is a tiny engine compartment.

[vertigo]

wow that is a tiny engine compartment.

Tell me about it. I may go green and install the clutch on a pair of hamster wheels.

[may93]

Looks like a good project. A 2.3 with turbo would definitely have been a quick little car!