Stephen Jones’ 1973 MG Midget

myf_pic

‘Myf’ and Steve at Ringwood Hillclimb

Owner: Stephen Jones

City: Newcastle NSW Australia

Model: 1973 MG Midget

Engine: BMC A-Series 1327.4cc (+060)

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 sandblasted revealing an extreme lack of bodywork (rust). New inner & outer sills, A-pillars, footwells 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
  • Sandown Raceway – 1′:35″:84
  • Winton Raceway ( long) – 1′:45″:16
  • Ringwood Hillclimb (original short) – 32”.39
  • Ringwood Hillclimb (long) – 42″:64
  • Rob Roy Hill Climb – 26″:02
  • King Edward Park Hillclimb – 44”.04
  • At the 2011 MG National Meeting in Newcastle NSW, Steve and ‘Myf’ took the outright Hillclimb as well as outright Motorkhana trophies
  • Took the 2014 Australian Hillclimb title for Marque Sports < 1600ccat Ringwood Hill Climb (long)
  • took outright speed event title at 2014 MG National Meeting in Victoria (Rob Roy Hill Climb)

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

Shannons Insurance

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine:

1327.4cc ‘A’ series block with thick flange bored +.060″ to 72.1mm x 81.28 stroke. Omega pressure cast pistons with machined tops to allow for the 1.5/1 lift ratio. Compression ratio: 12:1. 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. APT Fast 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. K&N filter with 75mm ram tubes.

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 the car.

Transmission:

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

Ratios:  1st – 2.4:1, 2nd – 1.611:1, 3rd – 1.24:1,  4th – 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 spring mounts in the boot up to roll bar welded onto chassis in the boot. Tramp rods fitted when needed.

Differential:

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

CIG locked diffs. 4.875:1

Brakes:

7/8″ Master Cylinder. Standard drums (modified backing plates) with 9 1/2″ CD Cortina slotted discs. MGB calipers with Hawk Black pads and Mintex M20b competition rear shoes. 0.8″ MGB rear wheel cylinders. Wilwood Adjustable Proportioning valve.Braided brake & clutch hoses.

Wheels & Tyres:

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

Lifeguard Tyres Cessnock

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.

Weight:

650 Kg’s (fully fueled without driver)

Horsepower:

103.8 RWHP

Racing Class:

CAMS logbooked Group 2B Marque Sports

Steve would like to thank Warren at Warners Bay Radiators for his invaluble help in everything to do with cooling MG’s, race cars and tow cars.

Gallery (Select an image to enter the Gallery):