Welcome!
The answer to all of your questions is...YES. Ok, well it answers most of
them. I'll take a stab at a specific few, and others may well chime in with
different answers. It will become quickly apparent that there is no one
right way to customize, upgrade, restore etc. your midget, and that opinions
vary widely here. However we all have a good time and love our cars, cats,
and beer.
> Where can I get a repair manual and an owner's manual?
Seems the Bentley Manual is the popular choice. Try Amazon.com, or Moss
Motors
> Where's the best place near me for parts?
Try to find a local import car parts source. There is nothing like getting
to know a local guy. Someone on the list might be able to help.
> Is there a good mail-order source for parts (or more than one)?
Moss Motors
Mini Mania
Lots of others
> Why doesn't anyone make a car this great anymore?
Profitability :-(
> Any hints on the ricketiness going over bumps?
Tighten everything. You can eventually work out all the rattles.
> Is it worth converting the suspension to something more modern? Are there
> kits for that? Are they a good deal? How hard is it?
Lots of options here. For street use, front suspension is actually pretty
decent with new shocks and rebuild. Rear tube shocks, sway bar, and panard
rod tighten up the rear end.
> Is there a reasonably easy way to improve the brakes?
Properly adjusted, they are ok. Change out the rubber brake lines with
braided stainless, and they are alot better.
>
> I'm thinking about getting another little car (so at least one will always
> be driveable...). I have a feeling I'm going to get a biased answer on
this
> list, but I'll ask anyway. Here's some of the cars I've been looking for;
> compare and contrast (or just flame me for even thinking about ___):
Bugeye
> Sprite, another 1500cc Midget, MGB, Lotus Elan, Triumph (not sure which
> model), or maybe leaving England for a Fiat Spider 2000, Fiat X-1/9, Alfa
> Spider, Datsun 1600, 240Z, or maybe a MkI MR2.
Actually, consider a small pickup to carry all the spare parts you will be
collecting from swap meets.
Again, welcome.
David Riker
74 Midget
78 Midget
63 Falcon
98 Accord
99 Ranger
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