MIDAS LATEST

ORDEAL By DirtandPave! The Story of the Month The MIDAS that vvould not Break p2

The Midas MARATHON FAMILY STYLE

p2&3

Special Edition SEPT1979

MIDAS: PRODUCTION STARTS NOW! Famous Ex-Lotus Racing Mechanic to Build MIDAS When Midas made its triumphal appear-ance at the 1978 Performance Car Show at Alexandra Palace, the Press were full of enthusiasm:

"Terrific nevvkitcar. . ." Car and Car Conversions.

"Neatly styled, thoroughly practical and beautifully finished both inside and out. . . " M o t o r .

The car-buying public- were even more enthusiastic. No less than 153 people booked test drives at the show, and Harold Dermott , driving force behind Midas, had a big problem.

"We already had over 4 months Production of Mini-Marcos booked u p " , said Harold, "and our contract lami-nating was expanding ali the t ime; how on earth were we to gear up for twice the volume of Midas production we had anticipated in only a few weeks?"

There was really only one answer — a major expansion programme at the factory.

" I t sounded a good idea at the t ime" , remembers Harold rueful ly, "un t i l we came to actualiy expand. What with the worst Winter for 40 years and everybody out on strike, things got hectic there for a while. But thanks to our terrif ic team up here in Oldham, we pulled it off in the end wi thout any upset to Mini Marcos product ion."

HBUROHUI} J K NUR8URGRING T ^ .

Midas and family pause in the Schwarzwald — a distant spot in the Black Forest of Southern Germany . . .

The Boss, Harold Dermott, poses with Midas after the fade tests.

But, inevitably, Midas was held up after ali by the effects of the industrial troubles. There are over 500 separate parts to be bought in and there were shortages — not just wi th Leyland, but w i th Fiat and Renault too.

Then there was the problem of assembly. Midas is virtually a com-plete car, lacking only engine, gearbox and f ront suspension. The building up of a complete car, ful ly tr immed in-cluding doors, electrics, glass, rear suspension and plumbing is a .full week's work ; and the quality had to be up to the standards of the rest of the car.

Also, Harold wanted to broaden the company's experience especially in the area of prototype design and development for the future.

What was needed was one of Bri­ta in^ best development engineers to work alongside John Ingram, one of the country's top fibreglass experts.

That man is Arthur Birchall. For ten years Arthur was wi th Team Lotus, and among other assignments, he bui l t numerous Grand Prix winners for Jim Clark, Graham Hill and Mario Andrett i as well as the Lotus Indianapolis cars.

He joined Clan and was largely re-sponsible for the development of this much admired machine, and after a spell wi th Neil Corner's fabulous col-lection as resident mechanic, it was back to Lotus for a period before taking on Midas. Arthur Birchall has vast experience and skills and f rom July he'll be building one Midas a week for some appreciative owner.

"Wi th Richard Oakes, Arthur Birchall and John Ingram, we have an all-British team of extraordinary abi-l i t y " , said Harold Dermott after signing with Arthur recontly. "There are not many people who can say they drive a car built personally for them by a World Champion Racing Mechanic."

Now everything is set — the parts are there, the laminating is under way and the first deliveries are about to be made. And we say, bravo for a fine effort and a fine production — it was obviously well worth waiting for.

STOP PRESS !

The first owner of a Midas is Mr. Smith of Hendon, who took deli-very of his red car on August 25th - a histo-ric day indeed.

The Midas parts supply has already been tested as velli he dropped a hammer on the screen -which broke - but had another one within hours - personally delivered / designer, Pichard

Oakes !

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Ordeal by Dirt and Pave When you set out to make Britain's best car for amateur completion, you have to make sure it's not going to break. The giants of the motor industry have mammoth proving grounds where they spend months and years developing cars. For Harold Dermott of Midas, the remote hell-roads of Belgium — the model for the proving-ground destruction roads — was to be the scene of the final test.

Fiat out bl ind on Belgian going.

fhree years of painstaking designing, building and perfect-ing, and now that lovingly crafted monocoque was to literally meet, and survive, its Waterloo.

Not far f rom where Wellington's armies tr iumphed on June 18, 1815, on the lonely tracks and farm roads of Plance-noit and Ohain, Dermott thrashed the Midas mercilessly.

Midas was smashed and crashed around a circuit of some of the worst roads in Europe. Through choking dirt at 60 mph — and not a grain came past the seals. Touching 80 mph on the long straights of solid Flemish granite blocks and not a crack, not a squeak, not a groan appeared. Even wi th dampers too hot to touch, the Midas kept its composure, its wheel travel and its wonderful stabil i ty.

Harold Dermott was ecstatic as he completed an exhaustive check back at the workshop.

"We tried ali we knew to break this car", said Harold, "and it just turned round and laughed at us. But really that's no surprise, because the monocoque is based on the Mini-Marcos which has proved to be incredibly tough."

Through the dust and di r t at 60 mph — the ordeal continues

It really isn't surprising; weight for weight stronger than steel, the glassfibre monocoque of the Midas is not only incredibly strong, it is also incredibly light. So the stresses are less, the weight is lower, and this pays off in durabi l i ty. And durabil i ty is a key factor in the modern economics of motoring.

Anybody else want to try to break a Midas?

100 miles of Belgian pave is equivalent to 10,000 miles of tarmac — here's a sample of the Midas' 'proving ground'!

The MIDAS Marathon - Family Style! T a k i n g t h e f a m i l y a n d k i ds on a c o n t i n e n t a l p r o v i n g r u n can b e f u n !

Some weeks after the hectic "destruction derby" attempt on Belgian pave, the same car — the familiar red prototype — was in action again on the Continent. Only this t ime, it was the annual family holiday.

Of course, there really is no such thing as a holiday for a development car; the constant search for problems sees to that. And the opportuni ty to extend the Midas in a variety of con­tinental conditions wi th wife and two children was too good to miss.

The pian was simple; motorway to London, spend a few days wi th friends. Hover to Calais, and then a fast run down through Belgium, Germany into Switzerland and back through France.

However on the way, Midas would have to do a l i t t le hard work — in-

Raidillan — Harold Dermott guns the Midas up the long, cl imbing bend towards the new section of track.

cluding some fast laps of the brand new Francorchamps circuit and the Niirburg-ring to check out some new brake linings for fade.

But the biggest test of ali would be family living in a Midas — a real test of spaciousness and accommodation.

Once across the Channel, the Dermott family was soon humming over the smooth E10 heading for the Ardennes. The Midas cruised easily at 75 mph, and returned an impressive 42 mpg. The children slept contentedly, and even though the temperature soared into the 80s, the interior stayed cool f rom the flo-thru-venti lation. The prototype has no sound deadening, but the noise level was good, although production cars wil l be even quieter. Turning off the autoroute just beyond Liege, the Midas headed south towards Spa, and was soon tackling the frost damaged roads of the Ardennes. Pause for a picnic lunch, and then onto the circuit.

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Just two days previously, the new Belgian national circuit had been opened wi th a national event for 2-wheelers. Even though hay carts were gathering up the bales put down to keep the riders out of the Armco posts, it was possible to lap the whole circuit.

The new section leaves the old circuit at Les Combes then plunges down in a series of curves to rejoin the old circuit on the forest section leading up to La Source. Here the Midas was perfect, displaying wonderful balance on the smooth but very slippery new surface.

After several laps it was time to collect the family and head off on a nostalgic t r ip around the old circuit — the terrifying Masta straight, where the Porsche 918s would top 200 mph on a rough, narrow road between houses, the

Midas rounds La Source hairpin on the brand new Spa circuit — just a few weeks before the 24 hour race.

Burnenville curve, Stavelot corner. Names which are a part of motoring history, but which wil l never again see racing cars pass in anger.

Next day was a glorious fast run down the well surfaced main roads of Germany into the Eifel mountains for some laps of the NUrburgring to f ind the limits of the cooling system.

Fortunately, few people know about the fabulous roads in this mid-western corner of Germany; well surfaced, well-cambered, but w i th a great variety of hills, corners and scenery. The Midas was in its element on these deserted roads.

VVhilst the family played " l - spy " Harold Dermott was able to hold a highly illegal speed, hit t ing each apex just right, balancing the car perfectly on the thrott le and gearbox — sheer bliss — and ali at better than 40 mpg.

Around the circuit, the Midas once again demonstrated its handling and road holding capabilities. But, at last, some problems began to show. The temperature was over 26°C, and things were getting too warm under the bonnet — clearly some more cool air was needed.

After a couple of hours work in the paddock to f i t various scoops, move seals, f i t ducting, the Midas was out on the circuit again. The ambient tempe­rature was now over 27°C, but this time the temperature stayed steady. Back in for a "heat soak" test — switch off engine and leave in hot sun sheltered f rom ali w ind for 30 minutes. This severe test produced just a suggestion of fuel vaporisation. So, more work on the ducting, this time to improve the

f low around the f loat chamber, and release hot air. Heat soak repeated — no more problems.

While ali this sorting was under way, Hilary and the kids were exploring the old castle of NUrburgring and enjoying "Kaffee und Kuchen" in the circuit restaurant. Now the kids were dead t ired, and there was still some 2 hours drive south to the next night stop.

This is where the Midas' versatility showed up. Open the hatch, drop the kids down into their seats and strap them in. Instant sleep (thank heavens!) as the Midas slid off into the warm summer's night.

The next day dawned — pouring wet! One of those summer days when the heavens open early and stay open for the duration. What a day for 300 miles of autobahn!

Starting out f rom Frankfurt cau-tiously, the Midas was soon surfing down the middle lane at a steady 70 mph. Now, a hot muggy, soaking wet day is usually where small cars suffer dreaded and irreversible "mis t -up" . With fan fu l l on and rear quarter lights open, the Midas coped wel l . In fact, Midas came through the ordeal of being blasted by 70 mile an hour jets of

The prototype heads up the mountain — kids in the back, the family enjoys the glued-to-road feel of Midas.

water for 8 hours wi th total victory — not a drop inside the car, not a missed combustion.

The other part of the ordeal was for the family — there really is no way of making a long drive in the räin amusing for kids. But, happily, sleep and regular stops at the varied German "Raststätte" kept the troops reasonably entertained.

There followed many happy days of motoring through the foothil ls of the Alps, and then on up into the land of qlaciers. The Midas continued to be surrounded by curious Germans at every infrequent ful l stop. Harold's German is

Up high into the Alps, Midas is having a lot of fun .

The NUrburgring — and an elegant rear end view as Midas Iines up for a left hander.

even more l imited than his French, but soon he had the basic specs off pat.

Back up through France, through the Beaujolais country — and the hatch swallowed some excellentBrouil ly tucked down behind the spare — the boring autoroute de sud, the hair-raising circumnavigation of Paris, and then the long haul up through the desolate battlefields of the Somme, back to Calais.

10 days of normal living on a touring holiday with the family posed no more problems to Midas than the Belgian pave tests. Plenty of space inside, Storage room for maps and oddments, easy entry for the kids down through the hatch, and restful cruising, ali makes for a contented family.

Hilary Dermott gave the woman's perspective: "The thing about the Midas compared to ali other cars", she said back in Oldham, "is that you come to take it for granted. It's only when people keep stopping and asking you about it that you remember it's a kit car. And another thing — it's a happy car. There's no way you can be bad-tempered in a Midas."

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MIDAS SPECIFICATIONS

M A I N KIT

The basis of the Midas is an immensely strong glass reinforced plastic monocoque. The top body lay up is 4% oz / f t 2 w i th the roof section at 6 oz / f t 2 . The A posts and door rebates are reinforced wi th woven glass tape, which together w i th f ron t and rear roof bars give high roll over protection. The undertray lay up is 5% oz / f t 2 c.s.m. and 18 oz /yd 2 woven roving, w i th additional reinforcement for the rear springturrets and steering rack mounting. Other fibreglass panels are bonded in to complete a structure of exceptional r igidity. This bodyshell is then bui l t up, at our factory, wi th the fol lowing items:

1. Front hinged, double skinned bonnet supported by stay. Bonnet lock released f rom inside car.

2. Laminated windscreen.

3. Internally hinged side doors wi th built-in check. Flush f i t t ing door handles, burst proof door locks, aluminium window frames anodised matt black wi th one fixed quarter light and one wind-up window per side in toughened glass.

4. Opening rear quarterlights in toughened glass.

5. Locking frameless glass rear door supported on two gas fi l led struts.

6. Fully tr immed interior in colours to complement the exterior. Door pockets and oddments shelf.

7. Moulded dashboard w i th fu l l instrumentation including tachometer, speedometer w i th distance recorder, fuel gauge, water temperature gauge, waminglamps to indicate low oil pressure, headlamp high beam, flasher/hazard lamps working, electric-ally heated rear window on and no charge.

8. Full sound proofing and carpeting, reclining front seats, and folding rear seats.

9. Electrical equipment includes 12V AH battery. Multipurpose lever on right hand of steering column controls horn, head­lamp flasher, dipswitch and self-cancelling direction indicators. Lever on left hand of steering column controls electric windscreen washers and two speed wipers wi th f l ick wipe faci l i ty. Single horn. Hazard warning lamps. Reversing lamps. Electrically heated rear window. Courtesy operated interior lamp. Fresh air heater/demister. Combined ignition/starter switch which incorporates a steering column lock.

10. Five 5" and 1 2 " alloy wheels f i t ted wi th 145/70 - 12 Dunlop SP sport tyres.

11. Exhaust system and various special brackets,

12. Fabricated rear subframe complete wi th rear suspension arms and brakes, ful ly assembled with two coil spring/damper units, brake pipework and pressure l imit ing valve. Handbrake mechanism and lever.

13. Foam filled wrap round fibreglass bumpers at front and rear.

14. Steering rack, steering column and 13" leather rim steering wheel.

15. Front mounted radiator, complete with thermostatically controlled fan and pipework.

16. Fuel tank and fuel line to front of car in rustless cupronickel pipe. Complete wi th fil ler pipe and fi l ler cap.

17. Pedal assembly and master cylinders. Pipe to clutch slave cylinder. A l i brake pipes except those on f ron t subframe are supplied in,rustless pipe.

18. External mirrors on both doors.

19. Inertia reel seat belts for front seats, and anchorages at rear for child's harness.

Thus the main k i t comes ful ly assembled wi th ali the above parts, needing only a f ront subframe assembly (see Engine Kit Specification) to complete.

ENGINE KITS

The engine kits are designed to provide ali the additional parts not supplied in the main k i t , necessary to complete your Midas. They consist of:—

(a) Front suspension complete (disc brakes or drum brakes)

(b) Engine and gearbox complete (998 cc or 1275 cc)

(c) Front subframe brake piping

Thus wi th a main kit and an engine kit you need purchase no additional parts, but merely build up the f ron t subframe assembly and f i t it into the car. Al i mechanical parts supplied by Leyland are covered by their ful l guarantee to us, which we pass on to you. Both kits are supplied with a comprehensive assembly guide.

COLOURS

There are four terrif ic colours as standard, ali carefully chosen by Richard Oakes. We have not reproduced them in the brochure due to the di f f iculty of matching colours, but you wi l l be able to look at samples when you visit the factory to choose your car. Special colours are available at extra cost.

For finance r.nd insurance you wi l l f ind brochures in this folder describing the companies we recommend. Insurance is Group 4 for 998 cc and Group 6 for 1275 cc cars. If you want a trade-in, that is no problem either, except that you wil l have to bring your car to us for valuation. Remember, however, that you wil l always get more for your car if you sell it privately.

FACTORY VISITS

We shall be delighted to arrange a demonstration drive at our factory, but by appointment only, please. These take place on Saturdays and we are usually booked several weeks in advance so contact us in good t ime.

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M I D A S S P E C I F I C A T I O N S

DE LUXE Kit Specification

The basis of the Midas is an immensely strong glass reinforced plastic monocoque. The top body lay up is 41/2 oz / f t 2 w i th the roof section at 6 oz / f t 2 . The A posts and door rebates are reinforced with woven glass tape, which together with f ront and rear roof bars give high roll over protection. The undertray lay up is 5% oz / f t 2 c.s.m. and 18 oz /yd 2 woven roving, with additional reinforcement for the rear spring turrets and steering rack mounting. Other fibreglass panels are bonded in to complete a structure of exceptional r igidity. This bodyshell is then bui l t up, at our factory, wi th the fol lowing items:

1. Front hinged, double skinned bonnet supported by stay, released from inside the car.

2. Toughened glass windscreen.

3. Internally hinged side doors with built-in check. Flush f i t t ing door handles, burst proof door locks, aluminium window frames anodised matt black, with one fixed quarter light and one wind up window per side in toughened glass.

4. Fixed rear quarter lights in toughened glass.

5. Locking frameless glass rear door supported on two gas f i t ted struts.

6. Fully tr immed and carpeted interior, including f ront seats, interior l ight, mirror and sunvisors.

7. Al i electrical wiring complete including headlamps, front side/flasher units, rear light units, number plate light, instrument (speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge and water temperature), fuse box, starter solenoid, hazard flasher unit, flasher unit, horn, headlight switch, hazard flasher switch, heated rear screen switch. Al i the above are f i t ted and wired. Also included in the loom are feeds for the heated rear screen and fuel tank gauge unit. AN engine electrical connections are included ready to plug into your power unit. Main power cables f rom battery. Battery clamp.

8. Moulded dashboard with built in demisters and full instrumentation as detailed above.

9. Exhaust system complete with mounting brackets.

10. Fabricated rear subframe and mounting bolts. Two coil spring/damper units.

11. Front mounted radiator complete with thermostatically controlled fan, water pipes and thermostat cover.

12. Filler cap and fil ler pipe (to suit Mini Traveller fuel tank supplied by the customer).

13. External mirror on driver's door.

14. Mounting points for inertia reel seat belts.

15. Foam fi l led wrap around bumpers at front and rear.

16. Face level ventilation complete with air trunking to the f ront of the car.

17. AN brackets to mount the standard Mini components that wi l l be supplied by the customer are provided, and ali major mounting holes are pre-drilled.

To complete the car you must supply and f i t the fol lowing Mini parts: —

1. 1 pr Mini rear suspension arms complete with brakes and hubs. 1275 GT or Super Minif in brake drums must be used.

2. Steering rack.

3. Steering column completed with ' twin stalk' controls (post October 1976). Steering wheel.

4. Pedal box and master cylinders. Accelerator pedal.

5. Windscreen wiper motor and rack.

6. Handbrake lever and cables. Preferably 'single cable' type.

7. Minivan or Mini Traveller fuel tank and gauge unit.

8. Complete front subframe assembly, consisting of 'single bolt ' (post October 1976) f ront subframe, subframe mountings, f ront suspension, brakes, engine/gearbox and gear change.

9. Mini heater (horizontal slide control type).

In addition you wil l need:—

10. Electric screenwasher and jets.

11. 12V battery of correct size.

12. 5 " x 12"wheelsand 1 4 5 / 7 0 - 12tyres. N.B. ONLY THIS WHEEL A N D TYRE SIZE M A Y BE USED.

13. 2 Fiat 126 wiper arms and blades.

14. Self-adhesive rear screen heater.

15. Al i brake and fuel pipes.

Any of the above components may be purchased from us. If the item you want is not shown on the price list, please ask.

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MIDAS D&H FIBREGLASS TECHNIQUES LTD..

IIEYBOTTOM MILL - OAKVIEW ROAO, GREENFIELD NR. OLDHAM OL37EP - ENGLAND TEL: SADDLEWORTH (04577) J8H

DE LUXE PRICE LIST/ORDER FORf

.. i

Write in price if ordering item

De luxe kit, as described

Reclining front seats, extra (F = fitted) ....

Soundproofing (F)

Folding rear seat (F)

Inertia reel seat belts, pr. (F)

Laminated screen, extra (F)

External mirror, passenger door (F)

Fuel tank & fuel pipe to front of car (F) ..

AH brake pipes, in corrosion free material

12V 30 AH Lucas battery (F)

2 Fiat 126 vviper arms& blades

Electric screen vvasher & jets (F)

Mini heater complete (F)

5 - 5" x 12" alloy vvheels

5 - 145/70 12 Dunlop SP sport tyres (F)

1 pr Mini 1275 GT rear suspension arms, handbrake & cables, brake hoses built up to complete rear suspension (F)

Steering rack & U bolts (F)

Steering column & mountings, including 'Stalks' (F)

Steering wheel 13" leather

Pedal box assembly, complete with brake & clutch pedais, clutch M/c, brake M/c & accelerator pedal (F)

VVindscreen vviper motor & rack (F)

Front subframe, complete vvith ali rubber mountings

£1,950.00

£75.00

£25.00

£100.00

£35.00

£20.00

£20.00

£37.50

£25.00

£35.00

£15.00

£15.00

£40.00

£137.50

£125.00

£175.00

£49.50

£42.50

£25.00

£40.00

£32.00

£70.00

Total carried forvvard

p.t.o.

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Total brought forvvard

Front suspension complete vvith brakes, springs, hubs & driveshaft Drum brakes

Disc brakes

engine & gearbox, complete vvith carb, dist., alternator

Sun roof, glass

Stainless steel exhaust

998 cc 1275 cc

Write in price if ordering item

£310.00

£390.00

£900.00

£1,000.00

£125.00

£47.50

Total

P l u s 1 5 % V A T

G R A N D T O T A L

Colour: Red/Blue/Beige/White

Finance required: Yes / No

Insurance required: Yes / No

Factory visit required: Yes / No

Name ...

Address

Telephone No. (Home) ....

(Business) ....

Please supply a Midas to the specification shown above. I enciose my cheque for £200 as a deposit and understand that I will supply the balance 5 days before the date of completion. I also understand that these prices and specifi-cations are subject to change without notice.

Signed Date

To help us pian our marketing we would be grateful if you would answer these few questions about yourself. Of course, if you would rather not, we quite understand.

Age

Occupation ..

Current car(s)

Married/Single

Children, number and ages

Private/Company

Have you ever competed in motor sport events? Yes / No Which type?

Who will be the principal user of the car? Self / Wife / Son / Daughter

Before deciding to buy the Midas what other cars did you consider?

New Secondhand

Who will build the Midas? Self / Other What engine size?

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MIDAS D& 11 FIBREGLASS TECHN1QUES LTD.,

IIEYBOTTOM MILI. • OAKVIEW ROAD. GREENFIELD NR. OI.DI IAM 01. }?EP - EN( II AND TEL SADDLEWORTH (04577) 581 \

SUPERKIT PRICE LIST/ORDER FORM

Superkit, as described on the data sheet.

Front suspension complete vvith brakes, springs, hubs and driveshafts Drum brakes

Disc brakes

Engine & gearbox, complete vvith carburettor, distr ibutor and alternator 998 cc

1275 cc

Sun roof, glass

A l loy vvheels, 5" x 1 2 " , extra

Stainless Steel exhaust

Special requirements

£3,250.00

£310.00 £390.00

£900.00 £1,000.00

£125.00

£100.00

£47.50

'"" O i

Write in price if ordering item

Colour: Red/Blue/Beige/White

Finance required: Yes / No

Insurance required: Yes / No

Factory visit required: Yes / No

Name ...

Address

Total

V.A.T. @15%

G R A N D T O T A L

Telephone No. (Home)

(Business)

Please supply a Midas to the specification shown above. I enciose my cheque for £200 as a deposit and understand that I will supply the balance 5 days before the date of completion. I also understand that these prices and specifi-cations are subject to change without notice.

Signed Date

To help us pian our marketing we would be grateful if you would answer these few questions about yourself. Of course, if you would rather not, WR quite understand.

Age

Occupation ..

Current car(s)

Married/Single

Children, number and ages

Private/Company

Have you ever competed in motor sport events? Yes / No Which type?

Who will be the principal user of the car? Self / Wife / Son / Daughtor

Before deciding to buy the Midas what other cars did you consider?

New Secondhand

Whowill build the Midas? Self / Other What engine size?

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