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Re: Getting Back to the '74 Midget

To: Philip Hubbard <hubbard@idir.net>
Subject: Re: Getting Back to the '74 Midget
From: Rick/Carolyn <walters@mail.softcom.net>
Date: Sat, 06 Feb 1999 13:59:28 -0800
Cc: spridgets@autox.team.net, mgs@autox.team.net
References: <3.0.1.32.19990206110314.006ad844@idir.net>
Reply-to: Rick/Carolyn <walters@mail.softcom.net>
Sender: owner-spridgets@autox.team.net
Hi Phillip

Wish you luck on your next project.  All the cars you mentioned are
reasonable.  The least expensive are the Spits.  It seems no one likes
them.  They are very hard to resell.  I kind of like the way they look,
but I've had my fill of Triumphs with my GT6.  Their electrical is even
worse then the Midgets of old.  This may be a car to consider, a GT6. 
They are much faster then most cars, and were made to race 911's.  

MGB's are comfortable to drive on a long trip, and parts are readily
available.  They are as difficult as a midget to assemble, but the
prices as of recently have doubled on the chrome bumper ones.  They are
a very nice car though.  Make sure it has an overdrive nefore you but
it.  That makes freeway driving a pleasure.  

Lotus with their fibre bodies are hard to find uncracked.  They are also
very hard to find and parts are very expensive.  They are very neat to
drive.

Midgets you know.

Welders, I'll give you as much as I know.  Stick welding is almost
unsuitable cor auto applications.  It encompasses using a consumable
electrode inserted into a handle.  This is the most common type used in
the industrial world, ie. Chemical/Power plants.  It has a very good
penitration and bonding abillities.  It has many different
rods/electrode materials for diferent applications.

Mig, is a wire feed welder.  It has a spool of wire that feeds
automatically through the handle to the object.  There are many
different types of wire some with rosin some without.  Different
materials need different wire.  Migs use a gas supplied around the
electrode to aid in oxidation.  These are most used on autos for panel
repair.

Tig is a another type used in the industrail and comercial world for
wierd metals like Stainless Steel.

I'm sure someone will correct me on the above, so let me add this is
just my opinion.

Hope this helps

Rick


Philip Hubbard wrote:
> 
> Hello gang,
> 
> I've been real quiet of late, but I'm thinking your vacation from me is
> over.  hehe  I've got some things sorted out following my move and it's
> time to get reconnected to the lists and back to work on Arioch, Lord of
> Chaos.
> 
> One thing I'm toying with is a resotration project.  This is very dependent
> on whether I can con my dad into letting me use his garage with pit for an
> extended period.  He doesn't use it, but there are two other brothers who
> might get jealous.  Anyway, any advice is, of course, appreciated.  I'll
> continue to get my '74 Midget up to snuff, but in reality it is running
> nicely so I can think of another project to get some heavy duty learning
> done on.  That's one of the main reasons I like this list and working on my
> Midget.  I learn so dang much and it's fun.
> 
> Anyway, I'm considering the following for restoration:  Bug-Eye, early
> Midget (61-63), early MGB or maybe even a Lotus Elan or Spitfire.  I know
> the latter is heresy so I'll likely not got that way.  The Elan is more
> expensive and I know even less about them than Midgets so it's likely one
> of the first three.
> 
> Any list ideas on what one should pay for a restoration project version of
> one of these cars?  I'm thinking the following condition:  straight body,
> as little rust as possible, running even if badly a plus and complete or
> practically complete.
> 
> I also have a question about parts catalogs.  I'm assuming these are
> practically a must if one is contemplating a restoration.  I'm even
> thinking it's a good idea for Arioch.  Among it's other uses, would a
> catalogue answer questions like "will this '71 Midget dash fit my '74?"?
> 
> And now a welding question if I may.  Can someone very briefly tell me the
> difference between arc welding, mig welding and any other common types?  I
> assume some may not be suitable for automotive purposes.  Hmmm....I think
> dad has welding equipment and I might just ask him, but someone else on the
> list might get something out of a short intro answer as well.
> 
> I'm glad to be getting back to the list a bit more.  Such a great group of
> people who also happen to know a heck of a lot about cars.
> 
> Philip
> 1974 Damask Midget - Arioch, Lord of Chaos

-- 
52 MGTD,Sparky    74 MGB, B-tris    76 XJ12 Coupe, Jacque
60 Bugeye, Puddles      58 MGA Coupe, Ruby
http://www.softcom.net/users/walters
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Acres/4644

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