Midge Details - SBP 230E
My car is based on a 1967 Triumph Herald 1200 which cost £80, so you can judge it was well past its sell-by date, and ready for that scrap yard in the sky.
All the mechanical parts from the Herald were used, and after refurbishing were fitted to a new T&J chassis, the original Triumph chassis having more holes than a string vest. The body is made from 18mm exterior grade plywood, and skinned with red vinyl over 6mm of foam. The body shop who sold me the vinyl said it was the same quality as supplied to Rolls Royce, but that's the only thing my Midge has in common with that famous marque! T&J also supplied the bits I couldn't make such as the dashboard top and the radiator grille.
Other components came from friends, auto jumbles, local breakers and anyone else who could be persuaded to part with suitable items. The mudguards are from a commercial vehicle trailer, the aluminium from a fire engine manufacturer and the wire wheels from a TR3. Seats came from a Kit Car parts supplier. Like most Midges, it is a unique vehicle and the proportion of original parts makes it eligible to use the original registration details, giving it 'Road Tax Free' status.
I think of the Midge as a recycled Triumph Herald, with a carbon footprint far below any new vehicle, and it is much more enjoyable to own.
JB
Midge Owners' and Builders' Club
John's Page
I'm sorry to have to announce that John Bircumshaw passed away a couple of days ago (May10th 2025 I think). Having joined the Midge club as member number 82 he had been the club secretary for ten years before me and had made several adjustments that made the club more accessible and affordable, producing a club magazine that could be read on-line which made it more colourful and minimised postage costs. John was one of the few Midge builders who started from scratch, completed the car and drove it for many years. Being from an engineering background he did things properly, carefully and with imagination. He was in my experience always good humoured, non judgemental and ready to share tips and tricks of the trade. A thoroughly good chap.
John was 85
JimH 12/05/2025
