Evening all

[Maphet]

I'm suddenly the proud owner of a MKIII Gold convertible. The mileage is high, the wiring loom is more of a tangle, it has been standing for a while and, at a couple of inches over six foot, I barely fit in it with the hardtop on, but I can already tell that this is a car I'm going to be getting to know very well indeed! Now I have it home and can start to work out what is good and what is bad. I rather suspect I may have some questions soon, and it looks like this is the right place to ask them, so here I am.

I didn't mean to get a Midas, I knew I wanted a fibreglass sports car, but I was really looking for a late model SSI Scimitar, Sabre or SST and have been waiting for the right one for getting on for two years, but when I saw this Midas advertised I thought I'd give it a look. I wasn't expecting to like it as much as a Scimitar, because I have had a couple of Scimitars and kept my favourite one for well over a decade before passing it to an old friend who still has it. However, there is no denying that the Scimitar was not Michelotti's prettiest design and the Gold has a cheeky charm all of its own. That's all very well, but the Scimitar has rear wheel drive and I LIKE rear wheel drive. As such I didn't expect to be swayed.

But I was. I haven't really worked out what happened, but I made a high offer, bought it on the spot, paid and exchanged documents in under an hour, hired a splendid self drive car transporter from transporter hire in Horsham and had it sat on the drive within twenty four hours. I keep grinning, but I'm still not quite sure why yet.

I know what I like: the A series engine is always nice to have in front of you and I know it well and definitely prefer it to the CVH in the scimitar. However I haven't seen one that looked easier to work on since I sold an old Morris one ton van to a rather pretty student a few decades ago. The 1275 in the Midas doesn't sound like that, no burbles and farts but a very purposeful grumble that hints at a slight deficiency in baffles and slightly smoother ports than the factory provided. Considering the rank lawnmower stink of petrol that has given up the ghost, or at least the spirit, I'm astonished it started and even more surprised that the throttle response is tidy.

I can't say much more than that, because the furthest I have driven it was around the yard to test the basics, straight onto the transporter and off again. (and getting out of a car transporter and into a Midas is a dizzying experience - it's a bit like jumping in a trench!) However, there doesn't seem to be a thing about her that I don't like. I can't wait to get to know her better.

[manifold]

Welcome to the Midas Cars Forum Maphet.

I think you have made a very wise choice !

A humble car with quite a lot of automotive history in its own right!...

I am sure you will find all the info you need in here just ask!

All the best,

David

[max midas]

Yes,welcome Maphet.
There are many knowledgable folk on the forum well aquatinted with the Midas individual character, if anything taxes you too much - just ask.
And do put up a diary of strip down and build up to inspire the rest of us.
When you start to drive yours in earnest you'll soon discover the 'grin factor' that the rest of us have.

[Rich]

Welcome to the forum Maphet!

[Hans Efde]

Welcome to the forum. Which car did you buy? The green one that was for sale in the north?

[Maphet]

Thanks for the welcome everyone.

This one is bright yellow:



and from the South West via a matching car transporter:



Now that I have had a chance to have a bit more of a fiddle I'd say that it looks pretty solid (if in need of bundles of TLC) apart from the electrics, the side effects of standing for a while and a dubious and partially completed conversion from the standard fascia around the clocks (is the standard fascia available anywhere?) which is 'good in parts':



I really like the little blower in the alloy lozenge, but the rest is mostly optimism and chewing gum: any suggestions about how to fill the gaping hole will be welcome as pretty well anything will be an improvement on the slightly battered clocks covered with a half moon of alloy sheet...

The electrics are definitely a 'good news bad news' situation. All the extremities look pretty solid (but don't work) and the car starts and runs, but the centre of the loom from the battery to the switches on the steering wheel is a bit of a disaster. The chap who I bought it from said that he'd paid someone, but the must have been wearing a stetson and arrived on a horse, because every single joint I tested with my patent 'hold both ends and pull gently' test for dubious wiring failed miserably. I was particularly impressed with the bullet connection that had had a wire pushed in and some insulating tape wrapped round to hold it in place. In fact insulating tape played a leading role:



Note the bottom right hand of the picture. Yes, that's partially covered in insulating tape too although good old air seems to be the only thing stopping the magic smoke escaping... I haven't dared to undo it yet.

The irony is that the first two earth points I tested were, well, not. I have a horrible feeling that, what would have been a simple fix has been turned into a bit of a mission. I think I'll have a go at getting the current setup shipshape first before I go loom hunting. I'm still optimistic that things can be straightened out with a soldering iron, circuit diagram, multimeter and patience or luck.

On another issue, the perspex in the hard top has gone misty and hasn't really responded to polishing. Is there a trick I'm missing or is it a case of fitting some new perspex?

[Rich]

Typical!

I looked for ages in the South West and eventually had to drag mine all the way back form the top of Cumbria!

You should be able to get the dash mouldings you are missing from Alastair at Alternative Cars, ACourtney on here.

[Hans Efde]

If you got it for 400 pounds that's a good purchase. There were a few weird mods on this car, especially the front bumper and the dash, but for the rest it looks complete and undamaged. Good luck with it, I hope you get it rolling again.

[Maphet]

Sadly not, I paid a fair bit more. I really like the front bumper modification, but I am less keen on the dash. I'm pretty sure that, once you get past the electrics, it is a fundamentally good car and a great basis for a running restoration. The really telling thing is that after waiting for ages, precisely the Scimitar I had been waiting for has popped up on ebay (the price is silly but will drop a bit I suspect) and I'm absolutely content and sure I have made the right choice. There was another mod: He's made a really nice custom hood for it. I guess I'll find out when I get the electrics and stuff sorted and try for an MOT.

Actually, that's a point, who's best for insurance, I have used Graham Walker in the past for Scimitars, but is there a Midas specialist?

[Moneypit]

Greetings Maphet
I used to drive around in a Reliant Kitten many years ago and remember being excited about the production of the SS1.I went to look at one at the local dealer and from that day to this have had a hankering for them. Trouble is they're always better looking in my head than in reality!
Good luck with the Midas. I've only had mine for about 6 months so my knowledge base is a little limited but this bunch on here seem very friendly and happy to help. . As for insurance I use Adrian Flux. But there are a few around...Footman James....Frank Pickles