I may be an isolated case but I have been able to buy 5 Midgets very cheaply as
parts cars,with titles I might add,perhaps you may find a car needing a engine
and tranny that may suit your needs.I don't know where you are located but I
looked at a 69 Midget that was just a tub but at the time (1 year ago) fairly
rust free,wire wheels and only $75 But I have too many projects so I passed it
up.I saw the owner again about 2 months ago and he asked if I still wanted it
but I told him no.If any listers are near north Texas I would be happy to check
and see if it's still avaliable,I want to mention that when I looked at it, it
was sanded down to bare metal so I have no idea what it would look like now,well
I do but I'll still check it out if anyone wants
Brad Fornal
"Charles D. Sorkin" wrote:
> Dear List:
>
> I recently purchased a 1974 Midget, the 1275 style. The engine and
> transmission are relatively healthy, and the former owner has done a
> relatively decent job of improving the engine to near original condition.
> However, when taking the car over to the mechanic's shop to accomplish some
> brake work, he noticed while the car was up on the lift that there is
> substantial rust near the rear drivers side wheel well in the area where the
> suspension spring attaches to the frame. He is rather concerned by this, as
> the end result in a few years will be that the spring will become
> unattatched, and the back corner of the car will fall to the ground (aginst
> the wheel), and probably while the car is in motion.
>
> He is reluctant to do any repairs himself for the liability issue, and the
> fellow suggested that it is probably not economical to do any further
> maintenance on the car. (i.e., throw it away). However, upon further
> conversation with him, when I made it known that the car is a restoration
> project and that over a long time frame (say 10 years) I would probably
> spend thousands of dollars regardless of the current state of rust, he then
> estimated that the cost of such a repair might be on the order of $5,000.
>
> Does anybody have any experience with such a frame rust problem? Do any
> list members have any ideas about how to go about fabricating a safe and
> secure repair, given the unibody construction of the 1275 Midget? What were
> the costs involved?
>
> I am still in the denial phase presently, but given my long-term plans for
> the car, it does not seem to make much of a difference whether or not I
> start with a strong (but rusty) vehicle in which I've invested about $1500,
> or start over with a rust free car (which could cost as much as $3000) that
> needs mechanical work. My impression is that many folks have achieved
> excellent results starting with less resources, and still have safe,
> satisfactory, and good looking vehicles.
>
> Regards,
>
> Charles
> '74 Midget
> cdsorkin@ix.netcom.com
> Bloomfield, NJ
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