Month: February 2021

Hello all Wiltshire members

The sun is out here, the snowdrops and crocuses are looking fantastic around here and I’m about to unwrap my Sprite for a quick visit to the shops, first time this year. I hope you have kept your Midgets or Sprites moving a little despite the lockdown, or made some real progress if still in project form. I’ve bought the remains of a race or hillclimb Midget, so that’s kept me busy! Engine and box are already well underway, but the exhaust, back axle and bodywork may take a while as strangely my pension seems to have run out. Let me know what you’ve achieved, please, however small.

As you’ve no doubt heard, there is an optimistic timetable now for release, and several organisations are reviewing their planned dates to see if it fits into the plan. Nothing is certain yet, but here are a few ideas.

Drive-it Day is planned for 25th April this year. I’ve not had word from the FBHVC about this yet, as there will be restrictions still. Their facebook page may let us know. But who needs a named day to drive your Sprite or Midget? As soon as you feel comfortable enough and the formal lockdown ends, you can decide for yourself. Take care, though.

Top event, he Midget 60 Big Weekend (25-26 June) at the Mere Golf Resort and the following day’s gathering at Gawsworth Hall Manor House is still on as of today. See the link, get the T shirt…

https://www.midgetandspriteclub.com/?page_id=20287 

I’m looking forward to Classics at Prescott, my entry carried over from 2020:

https://www.winchcomberotaryclub.com/classics-at-prescott

and how about this event, that has picked up on the cancellation of MG Live, MGs moving to Malvern to join the Triumphs:

https://www.tr-register.co.uk/article/2021/02/0260/Clubs-collaborate-to-create-exciting-new-Triumph-and-MG-Weekend

You can expect updates daily from all the race venues and event organisers, so keep your eyes peeled and your Spridget warmed up. As soon as we can, not March or April, but maybe May or June, the MASC meet at the Barge at Seend will be back, and we can take it from there.

As always, you are invited to get in touch with me by phone, What’s App or email, as quite a few have already, if only to release the frustrations and break the boredom, I’d love to have a chat. And finally, I’m not a big fan, but does anyone want to do a zoom? Give me a shout and I’ll set one up.

All the best

Andy

07776 171251

andyspeedbox@gmail.com

 

Reply to Andrew Cross | Feb 25,2021 |

Hello fellow Mascavites,

At last, we have good cause to be optimistic about the way ahead. No doubt there will be much scheming and plotting in dark corners on how we will rejoin life as we used to know it. For sure, we will not be speculating on this and will remain on the safe and sensible side of caution in the meantime.

Once again, abusing my privileged position as your area rep, I use this opportunity to offer you, my fellow local members, stuff what is getting in my way. No silly prices, make me an offer, give me a laugh and take it away, we have –    Windscreen in frame with pillars 1964 onwards                                                  Frogeye carbs HI on manifold and air filters                                                        Box of HS2 carbs and bits, manifolds etc.                                                            Frogeye doors                                                                                                      Original cast iron exhaust manifold 1964 onwards

Loss of storage means I am fighting for space so no silly prices but you will need to collect.

Stay safe, stay well, stay patient, we will soon be picking holes in each others Spridgley things and ideas again soon(ish).

Terry        rebelwithasprite@hotmail.com    07745742133

Reply to Terry Horler | Feb 24,2021 |

Hi All,

I hope that you’ve all been keeping well and been able to do a mile or two in your Spridgets during lockdown. I’ve been doing various jobs on my Frogeye and also the occasional shopping trips.

If any of you have any questions or would like to get in touch, please feel free.

I’ll keep you informed of when we’re able to meet once again post lockdown.

In the meantime, keep well and safe.

Gary

Reply to Gary Lazarus | Feb 21,2021 |

Hello all.

The next Zoom meeting has been arranged for 8pm on Tuesday 2nd March.

I hope we can discuss the following:-

1.You and your Spridgley car(s).

2. How and where we can meet for at Covid secure location once lockdown is eased. I am going to guess numbers will be limited and it will be outdoors. So please can you put your thinking caps on for suitable car parks in Surrey or other locations which might suit us.

I hope to see you on the Zoom on the 2nd.

As before, the codes will be forwarded after 7.30pm for security purposes.

Regards

Gavin Rowles

Area Rep.

 

Reply to Gavin Rowles Rowles | Feb 12,2021 |

Dear All..

I don’t know about you, but this Lockdown is offering opportunities as well as the depressive side of things…

We’ve done a little on Anita’s Sprite in the last few weeks, mainly paintwork as it was getting a bit tired after being repainted 15 years ago, I have to say, it looks fantastic now… Next step is to get the rear bumper off and re-chromed.

I’ve done nothing on my Speedwell Blue Frogeye except to chase some parts ready for me to fit when I get the car out of storage.

My Cherry Red (ex Heartbeat) Frogeye is due to come back to me this Spring. I’ve had it out on loan to a friend in Nottinghamshire for over 5 years and he’s now in the position to buy something for himself.

I’ve also spent a lot of time sorting out LOTS of old car spares including many parts for Midgets and Sprites… I’m happy to help out members should you need anything, please ASK…

What I have done in this last Lockdown is to get lots of small jobs done on our 1938 MG TA (yes, it’s a Midget). It started with just wanting to replace the wiring harness, but has, as you’d predict, escalated into a LOT more being done. I have to remember we restored this car nearly 40 years ago, so there are things that need attention again…

We had an ‘Area’ Zoom meeting a few months ago and I said at the time, I would put another one together… Sadly, I haven’t got around to it, so my apologies… We could put another together should enough interest be shown…

What a wonderful surprise when reading through the latest MASCOT.. A good number of New Members including a few in our area… We’d welcome your contact…

Talking of Contact, I occasionally am in touch with members, but I can’t ring you all… However, I’m happy for any of you to call me for a chat.. If you do call me, please no later than 8.00 pm. My number is 07471 606060… Let’s share some enthusiasm…!

As you will undoubtedly know, all the major events in the first half of this year have sadly been cancelled or postponed. However, Midget 60 https://www.midgetandspriteclub.com/?page_id=20287 still looks to be hanging on in there, so PLEASE support it if you can.. I know a LOT of hard work has gone into the event so far; it’ll be devastating if it has to be wasted due to Covid.

Another event that sadly clashes with Midget 60 is the Yorkshire Motorsport Festival https://ymsf.net which itself promises to be an excellent event (A Goodwood in the North). Located at Meltham, which is just north of Holmfirth on 25/27th June with the Competition Hill Climb on the Sat/Sun.. Spoilt for choice and I know I’ll be planning to go to both if I can… Fortunately, they are geographically quite close together…

I know that all of you will be doing various things to your Spridgets, some just checking on them whilst in Winter storage, some of you embarking on complete rebuilds.. I can’t believe how many cars have been dragged out of long term storage and are being brought back to life again…

It’s amazing what you find on your doorstep, when I bought my (now Speedwell Blue) Sprite, I had to walk 10 minutes from home to view / buy it, yet I had never known of its existence… Between Christmas and New Year this year, I came across another, five minutes drive from my parents home near York, a lovely 1960 Mk1 Sprite (Ex South Africa, so NO rust)… The guy was selling it and it wasn’t expensive at £17k.. I think it has probably gone by now, but should anyone be interested, I’ll follow it up..

Also.. If someone is looking for a big project, but one which has significant heritage and is a matching numbers car, but needs a LOT of time and VERY rigid attention to detail. Please contact me as I’m considering selling my MG Midget Mk1 Pre Production car chassis number: GAN101, built August 1960 … It’s not for the faint hearted and it’s not cheap, but it’s all there plus some parts that I’ve bought along the way.

That’s all for now, Anita and I are really looking forward to life getting back to normal and catching up with you all again soon… Until then, stay safe and keep up the great work with your cars.. ☺

Mark & Anita.

Reply to Mark T Boldry | Feb 09,2021 |

Hello all and thanks to to all who attended this weeks Zoom.  I intend making the 1st Tuesday of the month a regular event. Hopefully others will join on the next meeting.

John Gibbons has kindly provided me with a screenshot of all who attended & I would like to submit it for inclusion in the March Mascot.  Can those who attended let me know please if they are happy with this?

Regards

Gavin

Reply to Gavin Rowles Rowles | Feb 04,2021 |

Hello Fellow Mascavites,

Hope you are all keeping well and safe. With little sign of the Weather or Lockdown lifting, I am having a clear out. To go, subject to sensible offers of course, the following space taking items –

1275 engine from a round arch Midget. Stripped for a rebuild

Gearbox from above, requiring a strip for a rebuild.

Windscreen in frame, 1964 onwards.

Soft top header rail.

Frogeye H1 carbs on manifold.

Frogeye front bumper with mounting brackets

All sorts of other bits.

Offers please to Terry  –   rebelwithasprite@hotmail.com

All of the above located in Yate, buyer collects.

Something to tinker with whilst we wait for better days.

Terry

 

 

 

 

Reply to Terry Horler | Feb 03,2021 |