ANDY'S ARKLEY

 
MHX 783C, as pictured in 1973 in John Britten's Arkley brochure. 
This was one of very few cars that they produced with widened wire wheels.

 
The same car on the day I became the owner, 28 years later in June 2001

I found this car advertised locally in the Free-Ads and just had to buy it.  I've re-built the Arkley for competition use, mainly for Autotesting. This car was originally a 1965 1098cc MkII Midget.  It had 7-inch wide wire wheels, which are a rarity on an Arkley, but I've converted it to take bolt-on wheels as the widened (banded) wire wheels were not at all suitable for competition use.  It now has 6-inch Revolution alloy wheels which look good.  I've fitted a limited-slip differential (essential for competitive autotesting) and telescopic rear shock absorbers.  Engine mods will come later - I'll use the standard 1275 engine to start with. 


My target was to get the Arkley out to some local grass autotests and then to the California Cup Autotest at the MG Car Club International Weekend at Silverstone in July 2002.  This was achieved with a successful run at Silverstone where our team of the Arkley and two Midgets won the California Cup for the SE Centre for the first time since 1992.  Since then I've competed in a few Southern Championship tarmac autotests and helped the SE Centre to retain the California Cup with an FTD (1st Overall) at Silverstone in 2003.

 
Resting at Silverstone 2002 with a 1500 Midget based Arkley, after helping to win the California Cup for the MGCC SE Centre.
 
 
Here are some pictures from the restoration and competition preparation.
 

 Straightening the front chassis rails - old accident damage
had weakened them and the nearside had risen a inch.


Welding done and a lot stronger.  Starting the re-assembly in March 2002.


Floor repaired and the roll-over bar properly fitted.

 
June 2002 - Ready for action at last


Those rear springs are supposed to be 2" lower than standard, but don't look it.  They did settle after a while and I've since changed the front springs for some that are not quite so short.

CURRENT SPECIFICATION
(2003)

ENGINE:
Standard 1275, Peco LCB manifold, Sparkrite electronic ignition, standard twin SU HS2 carbs.

TRANSMISSION: 
Standard clutch and 1275 3-synchro straight cut close ratio gearbox.
4.22 final drive with Limited Slip Differential.  

BRAKES:
  New calipers, discs & slave cylinders, 1275 pedal box with new master cylinders, 
copper brake lines, Aeroquip hoses.

FRONT SUSPENSION: 
Lowered springs, uprated lever arm shock absorbers, new kingpins & bushes.

REAR SUSPENSION: 
2-inch lowered half elliptic springs,
Frontline Spridget adjustable telescopic shock absorber conversion.

WHEELS:
 6-inch Revolution alloys with 185/70x13 tyres.

ELECTRICAL:
Battery master switch, new wiring loom, alternator. 

BODYWORK etc:
FIA rear roll cage, soft top, Lenham hardtop. Moto-Lita steering wheel, Luke full harness belts.