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sullivan
USA
423 Posts |
 Posted - 03/08/2017 : 20:17:28
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Sought out and purchased an original Midge Mascot for PA1024.
The advertisement looked good and was pleased to have found an original in the large option size.
Upon arrival I quickly noted the "beak" had been broken and repaired and was now also bent. Sure that I would have trouble keeping the car strait on the road were I to leave this. I contacted the seller. He assured me he had owned it the last 40 years and was never repaired ?
Decided to keep despite and seek out plastic surgery for the proboscis. A nearby restoration shop advised me of a specialist in Southern California who he thought would be perfect for the job. So made arrangements and sent to him, A very nice guy.
After 6 months I called to check progress...there was none
after eight months again, no progress... Ten... Eleven...
Just before the one year mark I called again, let him know the one year anniversary was nearly upon us.
One week later packaged Midge arrived. On opening I saw that a new scar had now appeared where the beak had been broken. Now solder had entered the eye as well. The angle I discovered was also wrong, leaning downward. All this after many pictures and drawings noting exactly how it should have been done and a request to pin it as well.
Looked at sad Midge a while then I just knew what I had to do. The rear of the car would never touch the ground when driving with that downward beak out front, how would Midge see with one blind eye?
So...
Sent Midge back to the metal smith and waited... and waited...
after three months I contacted an found he had a stroke. (hope that was not caused by me!) Fortunately he has survived and is recovering well, so asked for Midge to be sent back... arrived a week ago.
Contacted a local Jeweler and am pleased to report he has done near perfect work! Will pick up later this week.
Of interest I found my Midge was Nickle plated not Chromium as per original advertised when I started. Have others found this too?
Pictures as arrived from seller
Pictures as arrived from first repair
Picture as should have been.
Pictures as now wonderful.... to come
Best,
Brian W Sullivan |
Edited by - sullivan on 03/08/2017 20:19:41 |
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sullivan
USA
423 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2017 : 22:46:23
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Now,
After sending the Ornament for nose correction and next off to the platter.
The Jeweler used a $40,000.00 fine welder designed for very fine work. He did a good job !
Brian W Sullivan |
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sullivan
USA
423 Posts |
Posted - 15/08/2017 : 03:40:08
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Took Midge in today for a "bath" first in copper then in Nickel & chromium. Hope they are very careful with that nose!
Decied to do chromium after all since all the other work will be the same.
Kindly
Brian W Sullivan |
Edited by - sullivan on 15/08/2017 03:54:14 |
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sullivan
USA
423 Posts |
Posted - 25/09/2017 : 17:44:03
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Midge Ready to fly again...
Now on to the rest of PA 1024 bit by bit...
Brian W Sullivan |
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Ian Grace
USA
651 Posts |
Posted - 25/09/2017 : 19:44:47
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Brian,
Have you considered having some replicas cast from your original? |
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sullivan
USA
423 Posts |
Posted - 25/09/2017 : 23:46:31
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Hi Ian,
The Midge mascot is available as a recast replica in the small size w/ "The MG Car Company" engraved on it's base sides.
This is defiantly the most cost effective way to place one onto a car.
While this is a original & I would have left well enough alone were it not for the broken nose. Unfortunately the "can of worms" was already opened by the person who broke and then soldered on the beak.
There seem to be many pictures on line of these mascots with the beak at the wrong angle. I suspect there have been many broken and soldered back into place or perhaps recast.
Best,
Brian W Sullivan |
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