MG Sports Cars

engine swaps and other performance upgrades, plus "factory" and Costello V8s

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highmileage
B. D. Howard
LSD (Lower Slower Delaware)
(29 posts)

Registered:
08/10/2010 04:41PM

Main British Car:
Fidget and Jagrolet Fidget -Ford V8 powered Midget, Jag XJ w/ Chevy V8

My Fidget ('72 Midget w/ Ford 289 and C4)
Posted by: highmileage
Date: September 14, 2011 05:43PM

Greetings all!

I may have posted this once before, perhaps a year or so ago. Geez, time flies...

I found this car locally on CL, bought it, put it in my garage, and I am embarrassed to admit that I have yet to do much with it. But this fall it is at the top of my list and I WILL DRIVE IT BY THE END OF THE YEAR, DAMMIT! (I'm yelling at myself...)

No, it is not for sale...

I bought the car to replace my old Sunbeam Tiger (a Mark 2!) that I am still kicking myself for selling some, what, seventeen years ago (yes, it flies right by)...

The car is a '72 Midget that has a 289 (it's supposed to be a HiPo, aren't they all - although my Tiger did have a genuine HiPo) and C4, a narrowed 9" rear, and a stupid stock Ford radiator that sticks up in the huge hood scoop that's on it. Obviously, I intend to get a lower radiator made for it so that the scoop ducts cool air into the carb, not air that's been preheated by going through the radiator!

The local previous owner said that he found it on ebay and that it came out of Boca Raton, Fla.

It had some ridiculously wrong seats in it (and they weren't even bolted down) so I got some imitation Recaros that will work nicely (again, off of fleabay).

I was just curious if anyone here has seen this car before and what they might be able to tell me about it? I am so curious as to who built this, what did they have to do to get this thing together, was it raced at Moroso or elsewhere, etc. etc.?

Inquiring minds want to know and I am hoping that somewhere out there someone may recognize this car.

These photos were taken shortly after I first got it. There were no seats in it at the time. I have since replaced the missing parking light lens (big deal) acquired the seats, and have not done much else with it. But soon...

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b261/highmileage/My%20stuff/100_1216-1.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b261/highmileage/My%20stuff/100_1218-1.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b261/highmileage/My%20stuff/100_1212-1.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b261/highmileage/My%20stuff/100_1213.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b261/highmileage/My%20stuff/100_1211.jpg



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/14/2011 05:45PM by highmileage.


HealeyRick
Rick Neville

(490 posts)

Registered:
12/19/2007 05:01PM

Main British Car:
1963 Austin-Healey 3000 Ford 5.0L

authors avatar
Re: My Fidget ('72 Midget w/ Ford 289 and C4)
Posted by: HealeyRick
Date: September 14, 2011 11:26PM

If that's a HiPo or even a healthy 289, Good luck! That's a lot of power to put into the short wheelbase of a Midget. Let us know how it turns out on the road.


deltadave
dave plumley
unionville TN
(69 posts)

Registered:
10/24/2010 08:21PM

Main British Car:
1953 MG TD Chevy 350

authors avatar
Re: My Fidget ('72 Midget w/ Ford 289 and C4)
Posted by: deltadave
Date: September 16, 2011 01:21PM

Wow! that thing looks like a handfull, the radiator sucks, but you can change it, sure will be fun


Cobra Killer 72
Dave Hopson

(19 posts)

Registered:
09/28/2008 06:50PM

Main British Car:
72 mgb 72mgb chevy 350

authors avatar
Re: My Fidget ('72 Midget w/ Ford 289 and C4)
Posted by: Cobra Killer 72
Date: September 17, 2011 07:43PM

I knew a guy with a midget with sbc in it with a larger scoop it was a crazy fast car!! Good luck with yours,looks like a good starting point...


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