mark powell

Darwin Award, I believe...

Tongue twister... Are you copper-bottoming them my man? No, I'm aluminiuming them ma'am!

Can you get it to the mainland for a MOT, or isn't an English MOT acceptable in NI?

Yes, basically to stop the bellhousing fouling the chassis where it narrows. It also has the effect of tilting the whole engine / gearbox assembly to improve the propshaft angle. All these modifications were suggested in the original build manual for the Midge in 1985. The chassis is modified Herald, the power train is Spitfire 1500 / Mk4 3 rail overdrive box / GT6 prop / 3.89 diff. 15" wheels.

Towers swapped round on my Midge. And extra 'brackets' to lift engine front by 2".

Nice.... But HOW much?

Try taking your 16 year old son to college in a 2CV..... Had to park some way from drop off to spare embarrassment.

The trunnions haven't been screwed up the vertical link too tight?

Speedy cables mended one of mine a few years ago. Still working OK.

Bury St Edmunds, Angel Hill. Used to get the bus in from out in the wilds, before I passed my test. (in Bury 1966.) Memories, memories.

Makita for me. battery one in the van for work, mains one in the garage.

That puts me in mind of this beast at our local Transport festival 5 years ago.

Gear lever rebuilt and out for a test drive. All back to normal... I know nothing.....

Nearest I've done to this was swapping a Series land Rover truck top for a Safari top. We both got the tops we wanted... Safari for me.

It's all a bit strange, as the inhibitor switch is doing what it's supposed to do. Before the gear lever collapsed, there was no problem and I managed to drive about 15 miles home. Now whether I left the o/d switched on when I parked up I don't know. I will try it for a short distance tomorrow starting with the o/d on and then disconnecting it before parking up. What do they say about turning things off and then back on again...

Following the collapse of my overdrive gear lever at the usual place, and whilst waiting to obtain a rebush kit, I have tried to stay mobile by temporarily fitting a spare non o/d gear lever and disconnecting the wires that run from the knob switch. A trip to pick up some paint from Toolstation found the car without engine braking... What have I done wrong? Should I have completed the circuit from the o/d switch instead of leaving it disconnected, or has something else reared it's ugly head? It's very disconcerting to take your foot of the gas and then feel as if you are in neutral. Apply throttle and it picks up again. This is a Mk 4 Spit 3 rail box with D type o/d fitted to a 1500 engine.

Yes, saw that one also. I'm off up to Wins tomorrow, he has a choice.

Thanks Dave, yes, that might be an issue. Someone on ebay is quoting about £16 carriage for one.

Took my Midge out for it's first decent run following it's 2 1/2 year total rebuild. A few niggles but a major issue is the rear spring. When I bought the car back in 2017, it had gained a swing spring, which I didn't want. As before, when I originally built it in 1986, I bought another used 11 leaf spring and removed 3 leaves as per original build instructions. I then put one back, as I wasn't happy with the stance. During it's run out yesterday I experienced the rear bottoming out and on inspection, the leaves are all over the place. (I think the spring i bought was very tired..) So I need to source another spring, which I will fit in it's unmolested condition and see how it is. Apart from that, it was fun to take it back on the road after 10 years!

I'm looking for an 11 leaf rear spring in good useable condition. Hopefully within reasonable distance from Eastbourne... It's for my Midge, and yes, I may have to remove a leaf or two, but it needs to be better than the worn out one that's currently bottoming out.....

Looks like 775FLU is taxed and on the road! 776 Untaxed... Due 2015.

Still miss my 1600 6... One titled lady owner before me (left to me in her will). In her ownership of the saloon, her husband had the convertible half, sequential number plate 775FLU, same colour scheme. That was sold when he died some years before her. Both cars showing MOT fails, so doubt if they survive.

I have no issues with the Herald pedal layout and can drive with work boots if need be, but my Midge, which uses all Herald gear, including pedals, is another matter altogether.... There's only 12" across the footwell at the pedals, so narrow driving shoes are preferable, though I have got used to driving in trainers.

I use one of these, saves wear and tear on my 72 year old grip.... I have two, one for my garage door repairs in the van and one in the garage. Cheaper ones available on ebay. https://www.primetools.co.uk/product/sealey-dra01-drill-powered-rivet-gun-riveter-adaptor-1-4-shank-for-2-4-4-8mm-rivets/

Better than this... Very large wheelbarrow donor..