Got bored a couple of weeks ago while I was meant to be revising, and thought I might show you what I did (constructively)!

Who says Lucas parts are crap?

Well, most people, actually.

To be honest, they're pretty much right (seeing as we've just had to un-stick the Lucas starter motor for the third time in 2 months today), but some of them were actually OK.

For instance, take my newly fitted Lucas SLR700S flamethrowers on the front, and (fitted today), the Lucas 576 Reversing light. The reversing lamp needs a bracket making for it as it's currently lighting up the top of 20ft tall trees outside our gate, never mind the fact that it doesn't fit the original hole for the reversing lamp. That's not too big a problem though, can be sorted out when the other more important stuff has been done (see 'To-Do' list on the right!).

So, after 3 hours in the garage today, how many items off the to-do list have been done? That's right. None. I've just been sorting out other stuff, and fitting extra stuff to the car, not actually sorting out, say, the blowing exhaust manifold which will probably cause an MoT failure in March... Oh well, I'll get round to them soon!

You don't want to be behind this when I'm reversing at night...

Better pics arriving when I'm actually in and it is light! Quite a rare occurence, these days. Bloody school.

I must be going Poti...

(woo! snow!)

Lots of new things in the Midget since I last posted.

The Starter Motor is now fully working, and for this first time ever, fixing it was a '10 minute job' that really did only take ten minutes!

Also now fitted are a pair of 60-minute stopwatches, for use in Historic Rallying. They're budget Russian-made ones, but do the job very well!

Also fitted is a 'Poti', basically a map magnifier with a light inside it so the navigator can actually read the map as it's bouncing up and down in front of him down those country lanes.

Winging their way in the post to me currently are a New-Old-Stock Lucas 576 Rear-Mount reversing light, as seen on works Escort Mk1s etc, for use on those night tests on road rallies!

Along with that there should also be a flexi map light.

Still to fit are:

• Retrotrip Tripmeter, bracket (needs to be made!), Sensor, and power conditioner
• Cigar Lighter, to plug those accessories in, such as Poti
• Carbs still need tuning, along with the manifold joint sealing properly
• Sump oil seals, as it's leaving like a sieve!

'Racking' my Brains for a Better Title

Well, my boot came back from the paint shop today, so I went about swapping the boot lids over and attaching the rack.
The paint finish on the boot is second to none, and matches well to the rest of the car. Lining the boot up was the first problem. After many attempts, the panel gaps were sorted to a fairly good extent.
All that was left to do after that was refit the boot stay, and bolt the rack down. With 3 people helping, a lot of farting about, all was fitted properly. The result looked like this:

Finally, some boot space!

Wheel big news!

Well, lots has happened since I last posted here...
I managed to find a Retrotrip on ebay... Brand New, 12 months warranty, and over £100 off the normal price! All I have to do now is buy the Sensor and the Power Conditioner, and it's in action!
The most noticeable change though is to the car's appearence. I know half of you will not approve of the Minilite alloys, but they're only for use in the winter and on road rallies etc etc! Added to the fact that I actually quite like them...! I didn't think I would, but they're not too bad!

Let me know what you all think!

I'm also watching a set of period Rally Timers on eBay at the moment, might have a chance of winning those too!Then it really will look like a Road Rally car!

Just still left to do are all the ones that actually matter... Fix the dodgy starter motor, underseal it again, Tune the carbs and sort the exhaust blow, and fit some new oil seals on the sump!

Not to mention fitting the boot once it gets back from spraying, sorting out a couple of stonechips, fit the retrotrip sensor etc, and fit a cigar lighter for extras such as maplight, terrain follower and other rallying items!

Today's Outing

Well, today was the day of the annual MG Owners Club Christmas Cracker Run!
Woke up at 7 to look out the window at grey skies, heavy rain and clouds.

However, my mind was set, and we set out up the M6 to Rheged, the starting point. Sadly, my anti-leak measured hadn't work and the use of tissues as dams was necessary behind the windscreen.
All went well after that, apart from it not starting jest before we were about to set off.. a good fiddle with the solenoid connections sorted that.

The run was great, included a good ford to cross (see pics!), and great roads, such as the Honnister Pass. Upon arrival at home, we discovered the passenger side Spotlamp was now a lighted fishbowl - another thing nto add to the 'To-Do' list!

However, with the leaking problems sorted, I see no reason why PJO402J can't be a perfectly good everyday car!

A good view of the Honnister Road

Brake-ing News!

Got some more done on the car today as I have an MGOC Tour of Cumbria tomorrow, and there was some important stuff to get sorted!

We took the back wheels off to have a go at adjusting the brakes. This was done with relative ease, and got the handbrake tweaked sorted too. Now the car can be parked on a hill!

Also, we have (hopefully!) sorted out a leak around the bottom of the windscreen.

Dad cleaning the brake drum

Anyway, I'd better go and get ready for tomorrow morning!