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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Fitting a GRP front end

I've now obtained a GRP one piece front end (thanks Peter if you read this) which I intend to fit to my restoration midget. I looked in the BB Archive and there is stuff about hinges etc. which was useful. My question is about what can I now safely discard e.g. slam panel, front valance etc. Can any of that stuff be omitted. Advice from those of you with a one piece front end (oh er!!!) would be greatly appreciated (unless it is don't do it!)
Chris Hasluck

The complete valance/slam panel can go.

You may need to trim the horizontal lip off the wheelarch to stop it fouling the arch on the bonnet.

I took the vertical bit off mine as well, as the car was considerably lower than standard and the tyre was rubbing.

You may also need to construct some radiator ducting, if the bonnet doesn't already have some.


Dave O'Neill 2

On my frogeye I made a cowl to fit between the mouth in the bonnet and the radiator surround, in my case one of the later crossflow units, no slam panel, valance etc. Being a later crossflow rad there is a useful panel below the rad where an oil cooler can be fitted and I made steel tubes to take the oil pipe connections to the cooler outside the surround into the engine bay for easier access to the connections, basically to remove the rad assembly undo the 4 bolts, 2 water pipes, expansion pipe, and 2 oil pipes and lift the whole assembly out.

I think in the archive is a shot of the steel frame I made to support the bonnet from the front bumper iron mountings, around 7kg or so. IIRC all standard GRP bonnets I have seen are too flexible in the front valance area and require reinforcing or some form of support to stop excessive flexing, might be OK for a race car but not great for road use.
David Billington

for road use it's advisable to retain the two splashguards either side of the rad. For ease of maintenance you may want to fit a trailer electrics coupling in the wiring to the lights, it can be clipped or mounted to the o/s splashguard.
David Smith

Hi Chris,
Radiator ducting very important or you will get overheating problems.
For the hinges, i think Peter May sells those also.
Andy Phillips (frankenfrog)

Chris

More views here:
http://www.mg-cars.net/mg-midget-sprite-technical-bbs/fibreglass-panels-whats-your-opinion-201108112033435322.htm

Which manufacturer is your front from, e.g. Smith and Deakin or Honeybourne Mouldings?

http://www.smithanddeakin.co.uk/

http://www.honeybournemouldings.co.uk/

Cheers
Mike
M Wood

I have a speedwell monza bonnet from Archers Garage. Again front valance etc discarded. Slight trimming of the wheel arches. Bonnet comes with radiator duct but important that you seal where it meets the radiator with foam else the cool air doesn't go where you need it.
Can send pictures if you need.
Tim
T Dafforn

Thanks for all the comments. The GRP front is for a standard Midget shape and manufactured by Smith and Deakin (so not Honeybourne - ah well!). I'm fitting it to a 1500. The original wings were very poorly repaired (i.e. unusable) by a PO in the past and the donor car has wings that are riddled with rust and don't fit. I am probably being naïve but I felt that the GRP front would be an easier job than welding up the rubbish wings. Wish me luck!
Chris
Chris Hasluck

That's the view I took.
I also like the look of the more aerodynamic front end ..
T Dafforn

Youll find working on the car a joy compared with having fixed wings/bonnet etc.

I can take my front end of in a few minutes then it gives real easy access for all engine bay and suspension/steering/radiator etc.
Andy Phillips (frankenfrog)

Has anyone felt the need to change the springs or stiffen / weaken the shocks due to the fitting of a fibreglass bonnet?
I have run my Sebring rep with Grp bonnet and stock suspension for over ten years but just curious as to what others might have done.
Alan
Alan Anstead

I left the springs the way they were and just lowered the ride height about an inch. The weight loss is reasonable but not massive.
Cheers
Tim
T Dafforn

Hi chaps
This is a picture of my midget with Speedwell Monza bonnet..
Cheers
Tim


T Dafforn

This thread was discussed between 20/01/2015 and 23/01/2015

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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