Scooterfrog's 76 MIdget 1500

on Jan 6  2025 i picked a not rusty, starting and idling  yellow 76 midget 1500  for $500  with a clean MA title

Wish me luck.

Goal

• A driver, not a resto
• Goal get it on the road for $1500  (challenge accounting)
• An autocross this fall

i figured i better do "my project"  before i ma too old after talking to friend about aches and pains and deferred wishes on boxing day

I am handy,  i have lots and lots of hand tools,  home owner power tools + half inch cordless impact.. on other cars   i have done ...shocks struts, starter, intake, manifold gasket, plugs wires ,distributor, lights,  lots of audio and electrical on cars and boats , bolt on mufflers, seats light upholstery (replaced factory seat covers)  carpets, subwoofer boxes, beauty panel in vinyl... small engine  E36 M3  bondo, fiberglass spray paint.

I DO NOT WELD this is why i needed good floors and no rust,

never pulled an engine, never did brake work

you don't see the 5 boxes of parts in the tow vehicle

it has been sitting the the garage  waiting for warm weather in Boston  and honeydo list completion

i have gone through all the boxes and cleaned identified and cataloged everthing in them..

the "rust" you see is primer.  floors are solid

good

• seats (2 small tears)
• interior panels most are good or savable in box
• floors, trunk, rockers ... all solid
• i have all the lights in a box
• rack (will sell)
• 2 expensive back markers (sell)  and replace by more readily lucas marker lights that match the front from a xjs.  already  purchased
• tonaue

MIXED

• triumph 1500 engine
• Wire wheels  not sure i like them,  in mi head i saw minilites, 
• but the spare cleaned up nicely. not painted yet
• 

BAD

• top is trash
• half of the carpet is trash after cleaning
• badly added radio an other underdash atrocities
• ugly looking wires in trunk / rear harness
• Rubber bumper

PLANS

IF the engine,the trans   / clutch and balljoints / suspension "good enough"  i think i get it on the road on goal.

that means.  all lights  runs  stops shifts tunes

so i am hoping

• tune up... hoses belt(s)
• brakes pads, rotors drums  cylinders hoses calipars
• electronic ignition and msd  / crane / alison / petronix type box  so i can added a rev limiter.  it may have electronic ignition based on year,  but seller said points so it may have swapped
• lights all (with most swithce to led)  add front turn signals  becasue debumper
• horn , wipers
• Exhaust
• Tires
• de bumper.  (i dont think i need bumpers in MA but i cannot have bumper brackets wihtout bumpers)
• mesh grill

add chrome bumper and early grill  or something if i need a bumper

tunes.  i have a lot of this in the garage already 

•  bt receiver or cheap bt headunit. 
• 4 channel amp,
• 6 or 7 inch in the kick panels  (i have seen one picture of this)  3 or 4 on the dash  tweeters 
• 5 ch  same as above and a sub.

enought white or yello spray paint to be less ugly

I would love more than moral support from Boston area GRMers  especially if i need to pull the engine and trans.

Looks like a great project - start now - not everything is outside - clean a small part at the kitchen table while hanging with the wife - I've even cleaned small parts in my hotel room as I travel for work. 

Schedule every Friday night in the garage.  Do your honey do projects early Saturday morning and get in the car at 2-3:00pm. 

You've got the easiest and lightest engine to pull - (if needed).  Enjoy the process. 

SWMBO said not until i finished X, Y, Z.  some are things in the list needed some warmth.  the last one on the backlog will be done tomorrow.  

it was part of the reason i got the car.

actually i do a lot of "inside work" when i am on teleconferences i don't need to pay a lot of attention to.  I have cleaned everything in the boxes or trunk,  emptied everything not connected to the car. (wired  bolted  etc)  SWMBO told i could not paint inside,  that's why the wheel is stripped but not painted 

• most of the interior scrub twice, staple and glue, armor all,
• all lights  housings cleaned
• sewed up the top as much as possible.  learned to do awl sewing
• stripped the wire wheel

i know the engine, trans is small,  but i cant lift it out by my self without a lift 

if / when i need to rebuild the carb,  i can do that on teleconferences 

My local rental place rents for $32/day - I don't have room to store a lift so it's best I rent the beast for the day. 
 

I found a guy on FB that sells rebuilt Z SU's for $450/pair. I think it's more of a retirement side hustle. I ask; you pay for cores?  

He credited me $150 a set and he bought two grungy old sets I had.  I bought rebuilt carbs for $150 plus $30 shipping.  They run great!

Find an MG club to join - the Windy City Z Club is helpful to me.  It's a ton of old guys that are willing to help the youngsters - they are bored in retirement.......

thanks for the rental reminder

I will look for the boston club