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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Midget Mk1 sidescreens

Hi there,would anyone know if the large type sidescreens for an early Mk1 hardtop ever come up for sale or does anyone have a set they are throwing in the trash!! i have loaded a picture of my recently purchased hardtop on my car. thanks.Martin


M Cunningham

I think I have a set of larger side screens, just to check can you give me the dimensions of your current side screens.

Rob
Rob Sheldon

hi rob,im in a relations house in somerset at the moment and cant find a measuring tape anywhere! ill find one later hopefully,but the normal screen i have is about 10 inches tall,if you look at the picture i loaded,you will see the shape i need is much different on the top and top read end. thanks.Martin
M Cunningham

Are you sure that it's not for a wind-up windopw model?
Gary & Gaps

hi gary & gaps,it has all the right fittings for the sidescreen model,the clips that fit over the windscreen frame and the bracket that sits on top where the removable hood sticks go,so seems to be the right type. Ta. M
M Cunningham

Hi again Rob,the side screen dimensions of the ones i have are 10 inches tall,approx 22 inches top,29 inches approx bottom.thanks. M
M Cunningham

That's a nice colour. Looks a sort of grey-blue. What is that called?

Not sure that Gary isn't right about that hood though. Its the way the window opening slopes rearward and with a rounded top.rear edge that makes it look like a wind up window style to me.
Guy

Hi again,guy,i looked at the terry horler book and it shows a picture of a later top that looks near identical but describes an earlier type that uses larger screens,i also looked on the net and seen a early mark 1 for restoration with the same top,but couldnt say for definite if it is,i hope so!! ill load another pic of the car outside of the house we are staying,the colour is ice blue.I have bodge painted the roof for the trip home to appease the wife!!ta. M


M Cunningham

I expect it is must be ok then! Sorry to doubt you.:-)

Its a really nice looking car. One forget just how much cleaner the lines of the early cars are. And even with a "bodge painted" roof it looks better!
Guy

Thanks Guy,yea it is a very nice one and really original,i have it about 7 years,and old mot's going back to the early eighties showing mileage of 8000 miles,27000 on it now, dont know if thats from new but could be as its never been messed with too much,put up about 1200 on this trip,prob never do it again though,the top could be wrong,i am no expert,just think it might be thats all,ill put up a pic with the top off,by the way the bootlid is a slightly darker shade because i didnt want to drill the original one so bought a second hand one,badges,rack,but will have to have it repainted later,ta. M


M Cunningham

Looks like a top off a Mk2 midget/Mk3 Sprite to me? For a car with wind-up windows but the old style hood?

Hope I'm wrong for your sake!
AndrewF

hi andrew,hope your wrong too!! i dunno now,is this one not the same? looks too me,but confused..M


M Cunningham

Yes I think you're right. My apologies. That's Mark's car.
Gary & Gaps

thanks gary & gaps,glad you think so!! whos mark? dont suppose hes selling those screens..didnt think so...M
M Cunningham

the mk2 sprite/mk1 midget side screens do seem longer than the wind up windows so i wouldnt think it is a hard top to mk 3/ mk2 if it is then not a bad find as they are quite rare so if it is not all bad news.
D Sartain

That's Mark Boldry's Pre Mk1 Midget Chassis number 1 it is a pre production Midget buitl while the frogeye was still in production. I doubbt that he's be seeling any part of it.
Gary & Gaps

meant that tongue in cheek about selling parts! G&G. M
M Cunningham

Hi,

The racked top is for MK1 Midget, they use specific raked sidescreens (see photos). The Sprite MK2's hood uses the same sidescreens as the normal vinyl hood.

The racked sidescreens are rare to find. Even if you find a part, look carefully at the rubbers, there is no replacement for them, you have to make them up yourself.

Hope it helps to clarify.

Alan


A Lo

Another spare pair I had.


A Lo

Just notice the first photo isn't showing the racked profile that well.



A Lo

Hey Alan,your car looks great!!JUST LIKE MINE DOES!! the screens are much taller,ill keep looking for a set,the hunt is enjoyable too,i was ages ,a couple of years i suppose waiting to find an original steering wheel,so you reckon its the mk1 top i have?lots of conflicting views on it, i was in wellington till yesterday,back in ireland now,very close to you,we could have met up for a couple of photos!maybe some other time.. Martin

M Cunningham

Hi Martin,

I am 110% sure you have the correct MK1 midget top.

Unfortunately, I sold my MK1 2 years ago, I now have a MK3. I am happy to provide any help or discuss any MK1 topic; I met with Terry Horler regularly, if you need indepth information, I could relay your questions.

We have a small group of dedicated MK1 Midget /MK2 Sprite owners on a forum, if you email me your email address, I will give you the online detail.

Cheers,

Alan
A Lo

thanks a bunch Alan for the confirmation glad i didnt waste my time collecting it, that forum would be fantastic,theres always some info needed! I think my email is switched on now. Martin
M Cunningham

Glad to hear I was wrong! Good luck with your search for the correct sidescreens.
AndrewF

This thread was discussed between 01/09/2011 and 08/09/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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