Member 361 returning

[chrismahon]

Hello everyone,

I think 2007 when I received my last TGT. Thought the club had collapsed until I spoke to the latest manufacture last month.
Bit of a surprise to discover it was just an admin computer problem that I had fallen into.

Still have my 1988 Burgundy Gold H3011069 which I bought in 1991 and have kept in a car port since 2000. Occasionally started but haven't added to the 67K miles. Built from all new parts straight off the Longbridge track by an Engineer working there. Q327 VOE because he didn't want to pay the purchase tax understandably. Recently started at first turn of key and moved for first time in 6 years in preparation to selling it, as we plan to emigrate next year. Amazingly appears very close to roadworthy after all this time, but I did grease stuff as I worked on it and used stainless where possible.

Started my driving life with a Series 1 Landrover, A VW Beetle and then about 7 Minis which included 2 Coopers. Sold my 1966 850cc Mini with a genuine 186K on the original engine (Duckhams Q from new) and bought a blue Midas Bronze 1985. This went well on a MG1300 metro engine and 1275 GT gearbox until the rear suspension beam collapsed (design and build fault) sending me into a telegraph pole at 30 mph. The car was written off but I bought the wreck, cosmetically reconstructed the front, made a 5 piece mould and moulded into that. Cut the front off and grafted the new front on. I think I know where the mould is if anyone is interested. Unfortunately two years later and a spin-off on ice backwards along a chain link fence proved the end of it. I already had the Gold and couldn't spare the time to go through the moulding process again on the back. The bodyshell ended up at the local tip. It was dropped into a huge skip and then the grabber driver tried to crush it. Afer half a dozen blows on the roof he gave up -built really well they were. Sold most of the salvageable bits to club members but kept the engine and fitted it into my Gold, where it remains.

Still have a new and unused Bronze build manual which I bought prior to buying the already built car. Other bits are turning up as I start packing -Gold sales brochure, build manual, BL clutch extractor, homemade gearbox servicing tools, SU carb Haynes manual, Metro and Mini manuals, 4 leg hoist to remove engine easiest, big tin of A series bolts and nuts. No idea what will surface next. Thik there are some gaskets somewhere?

Look forward to contributing to the forum over the next 12 months or so. I was an Automotive Design Engineer before I retrained as a plumber 6 years ago. I specialised in Plastics Technologies particularly GRP prototyping. I'll advertise my Gold in the next week or so.

Regards,

Chris Mahon

[Rich]

Welcome back Chris!

[manifold]

Welcome Chris.

Look forward to hearing about any Midas snippits you have.

I am sure your Midas will go to a good home. Theres one or two people interested and waiting for one here.

Kind regards,

David

[chrismahon]

Thanks David,

Just sold the car. It is going to a new good home in Brighton on Monday. The buyer has previously owned an earlier one so he is very familiar with A setries engines and the Gold model. He will be restoring it over Winter, so early next year look out for it in that area. He intends to fit the undertrays, which came with the car in 1988 but neither of the previous owners ever got round to fitting!

Our hens will be getting some new coops soon.

Chris