So after a long time of loitering in the shadows I have finally got my backside in gear and scanned in the images of my very own Midtec Bronze.
I bought her new as a kit from Midtec Cars back in 1995 (I think) and built her up over 4 years with my old Dad using the inner workings of a B-reg Metro and a variety of scrapped Minis.
Q735 VAF has a 1275cc A-series engine with twin SU carbs (plus K&N filters). She is adorned with a set of GB alloys and Cobra seats with 3 point harness.
So here are some photos documenting her birth. Currently she is parked up under a tarp in need some love and attention. The glass rear screen has been replaced by an Acrylic version (thanks to Hans for the dimensions).
My Dad passed away a few years back but the lessons learned in that garage are etched deep in my mind.
The Midtec Car showroom and factory somewhere near Leicester
The shell sitting in the back of our garage in Cornwall
My dad stripping down the Metro
Hammerite - the saviour of rusty subframes
Front subframe assembly
Me and my Dad
Nearing completion
Clean-up before going for SVA. Failed the first test on a few issues around the wiper controllers and the seat belts, these were quickly fixed by some re-wiring and the addition of headrests to pin the shoulder straps in.
Tested and Taxed and on the road. She was my daily drive during the summer of 1999 (when there was a fuel crisis going on if I remember correctly). She was then laid up while I was at University and worked on other projects (Mini Clubman Estate and a 1500 MG Midget).
I got her back on the road in 2011, making good use of the national bank holiday for the Royal Wedding to get stuck in and get her running again (somewhere I have a photo of a properly gunked up thermostat housing that formed a big part of the clean-up job).
Since then my wife and I have had two gorgeous girls, and they are currently taking priority over projects so as I say the car is sitting waiting to be loved a bit.
Many thanks for all the enjoyment the forum has provided a long-time watcher.