Growing up in the '60's & '70's in Anchorage AK, here is a list of cars that
I know can be driving in the winter, as I can remember my father driving all
of them at one time or another: MG Midget, 60? Volvo, Renault 10, Karman
Ghia, MGB, Triumph TR7, 62 Falcon, Fiat Sedan.
I spent one winter in Grass Valley Ca, and my two cars were a 79 Midget and
a 79 MGB. The RB Midget was great in the snow, as the increased ride height
allowed it to clear burms of snow no problem. You should see the faces of
the people in their SUV's at the ski resorts, when you pull up in an MGB
with your ski's sticking out of the zip out rear window...
A 50lb bag of sand in the rear parcel area over the axle adds a tremendous
amount of traction. To get enough heat out of an early spridget in the
winter, install a larger heater box from a 1500 midget. You have to flip it
180, and cut new holes for the heater core. You can see pics on my website.
For more fan output, install a relay to the heater fan. The voltage drop
through the switch and stock wiring winds up to be 2-3 volts. Using a
relay, and a larger hot wire to the fan increases the air output by about
40%. Block off up to 50% of the radiator area for winter driving to allow
the coolant temperature to run hotter, and carry a hand towel to clear the
windshield. Assuming there are no exhaust or fuel leaks, remove the fresh
air tube from under the hood, and allow the heater to draw warmer engine
compartment air through the heater box.
The Midget in the pictures looks good, but take someone along to really
inspect the car, and play good cop/bad cop.
David Riker
63 Falcon
70 Torino
74 Midget
http://home.pacbell.net/davriker/
----- Original Message -----
From "Christopher Rife" <rife at msu.edu>
To: <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2003 6:36 AM
Subject: newbie questions
> Hi All,
>
>
> Does anyone drive these cars in the snow? If fitted with snow tires
> would they do decently? I live in Michigan, and my commute is barely 3
> miles, and I would like to use the car year round. Am I crazy? A hard
> top would be a plus, I am sure- are they difficult to come by?
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