Stephen Jones' 1973 MG Midget

'Myf' and Steve at Ringwood Hillclimb

Owner: Stephen Jones

City: Newcastle NSW Australia

Model: 1973 MG Midget

Engine: BMC A-Series 1380cc

Built by: 1990 by Geoff Foster/ Stephen Jones 2006

THE STORY:

'Myf" is a 1973 MG Midget (US Spec). In 1990 Geoff Foster purchased her and built her into a race car. Geoff campaigned her around many of Victoria’s famous tracks until November 2000.

Steve Jones purchased the car in a very sad state in December 2007. She went into Steve's workshop and underwent a full restoration. The car was completely stripped and the body sand blasted revealing an extreme lack of bodywork (rust). New inner & outer sills, A pillars, foot wells and lower rear guards were either purchased or made. Although the basics were there, Steve re engineered a number of areas including the doors, boot, interior, wiring, engine breathing, front and rear suspension.

Every component was checked and repaired/ modified or replaced. Steve and a few mates did virtually all the work in Steve's shed. The car was painted and after 12 months work, she had her first test run on a closed road. Here first race meeting in Steves hands was at a GEAR meeting in December 2008 where she instantly showed her potential. Since then Myf has competed at:

Oran Park (GP) - 1':26":93
Oran Park (south) - :52”:69
Wakefield Park - 1’:11”.63
Eastern Creek - 1’:55”:38
Mt Panorama - 3’:04”.01
Phillip Island - 2’:00”.95
Ringwood Hillclimb - :32”.39 (Marque Sports < 2ltr class record)/ 32".84 Nat Meet outright
King Edward Park Hillclimb - :44”.26 (class record)
At the 2011 MG National Meeting in Newcastle NSW, Steve and 'Myf' took the outright Hillclimb as well as outright Motorkhana trophies

All of these (except for Mt Panorama) can be seen on Youtube.

'Myf' melted a piston at Phillip Island in 2011 so required a full engine rebuild. She's currently under repair.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Engine:

1379.5cc ‘A’ series block with thick flange offset bored to 73.75mm x 81.28 stroke. Forged JE pistons with machined tops to allow for the 1.5/1 lift ratio. Compression ratio: 11.69:1. Lightened crankshaft, wedged, cross drilled, Tuftrided and fully balanced with large main bearings and a steel centre bearing cap for extra rigidity. Pauter rods, ARP bolts. Kent full race cam. Aluminium Flywheel with a steel facing. Aluminium backing plate. Fully baffled sump. 2 quart Accusump fitted.

Induction:

Single Weber 45 DCOE carburetor on long neck manifold. Airbox by Steve Jones

Ignition:

NGK BP6ES spark plugs. Lucas based Aldon Automotive Distributor with Ignitor II electronic ignition. Aldon Flamethrower coil.

Cooling:

High flow VW Golf radiator. 16 row oil cooler. Manually controlled electric fan.

Exhaust:

3 into 2 extractors then 2 into 1. 2” system running through the car. Single box muffler. Jet coated headers with exhaust wrap through car.

Transmission:

MG Midget/ Needham 4-speed box, straight cut close ratio gears.

Ratios: 1^st – 2.4:1, 2^nd – 1.611:1, 3^rd – 1.24:1, 4^th – 1:1

Ceramic cruciform type clutch

Front Suspension:

CD Cortina Stub axles with Midget hubs. Nylatron bushings. 3/4" anti-roll bar (removed for Hillclimbs). Uprated and lowered coil springs Frontline Telescopic conversion. AVO telescopic adjustable shock absorbers.

Rear Suspension:

Nylatron bushings. Lowering blocks. Koni adjustable telescopic shock absorbers. Panhard rod. Strut braces were made for the rear rear spring mounts in the boot up to roll bar welded onto chassis in boot.

Differential:

Quaffe limited-slip differential. 3.7:1 or 4.2:1 ratios

Brakes:

7/8" Master Cylinder. Standard drums (modified backing plates) with 9 1/2" CD Cortina slotted discs. MGB callipers with Hawk Black pads and Mintex M20b competition rear shoes. 11/16" rear wheel cylinders. Braided brake & clutch hoses.

Wheels & Tyres:

Toyo R888 205/60/13 on 13" x 7" Minilite style alloy rims for normal racing.

Electrical & Instruments:

Autometer 8000 RPM Tachometer. MSD Shift light and soft touch rev limiter. 120mph MGB speedo. Rev limiter set to 8000rpm. Smiths oil temp gauge as well as the original Smiths oil pressure/ water temp gauge. 50lb oil pressure warning light.

Fuel System:

JAZ Fuel Cell 45.42lt. High output Mallory electronic fuel pump with pressure regulator. Longacre fuel pump cut off switch (12psi oil pressure).

Body Modifications:

Fibreglass guards, bonnet, doors, flares, boot lid. Inner front guards removed. Roll cage built to CAMS regulations. Sparco racing seat. 6 point 3” ERG racing safety harness. Front valance with hole cut for improved airflow over the oil cooler and brakes. Aluminium Tourneau cover.