BODY BUILDING AND INSTALLATION

STEP 1

Obtain one 1967 through 1980 MG Midget main body section from your local salvage yard. Strip the body of all parts so you have only the main section left (see Fig. 1) There are three modifications which must be made to the steel MG body. First, remove the entire inside floor, transmission hump, inner wheel wells, and lower portion of the firewall saving only the trunk floor. Then, cut out the rear section according to the template in the assembly package. This will eliminate the two small rear body fins of the MG so that it may be rounded to the Gatsby look (see Fig. 1-2). Using the same template from the assembly package, cut out the rear wheel wells (see Fig. 1-2).

STEP 2

Next comes the construction of the Gatsby superstructure. All of the following parts are built using 3/4" x 3/4" x .125" tube stock: Floor (Fig. 3); Cowl (Fig. 4); Side structures/right and left (Fig. 5); Front grille surround (Fig. 6); Steering support (Fig. 7); Brake mount support (Fig. 8); Top view of components together (Fig. 8A); Emergency brake structure (Fig. 9).

Be sure to carefully follow the measurements in each step. Level and align the parts as you go to prevent mistakes and insure a perfect fit. Once all the pieces are welded together, you may install the finished superstructure on the prepared MG body (see Fig. 10A - 10B). The next illustration (Fig. 11) shows how the body and front structure look after they are welded together. Next, you must cut out the firewall using ten gauge steel (see Fig. 12). After holes have been drilled in it, install the firewall in the main body section (see Fig. 11).

STEP 3

The Gatsby coach body can now be mounted on the chassis. This process requires the use of the stock rubber and steel mounts that you saved earlier (see Fig. 13). Six steel body mounting brackets must be fabricated (see Fig. 13A)and attached to the chassis as shown in Fig. 13/30 (no picture available).

STEP 4

Build your extended steel steering shaft using 1" x .125" seamless tubing (mildsteel) and Ford universal joint #09A2-38676A. Fabrication and installation of the steering shaft are covered in Fig. 14.

STEP 5

Mount the steering assembly along with the block and shaft in the body (see Fig. 14).