JC Midge
Encyclopedia
JC Midge is a kit car
(or rather a "plan and pattern" car) designed by John Cowperthwaite
. Like the Locust
the body is made of aluminum skinned plywood or MDF and using a grille from a Wolseley 1500 (but many other has been used). The design is clearly inspired of British 1930s cars like the MG J2 Midget and similar to the Burlington
in both design and construction. Originally it was essentially a rebody of the Triumph Herald
, Vitesse
or Spitfire
.
It was first presented in 1985 and then it was produced by John Cowperthwaite's own company called Moss. Later marketing and development of the Midge was taken over by T&J of Rotherham and they continued into the mid 1990s. It was then taken over by White Rose Vehicles in Gillingham, Kent. WRV also constructed their own chassis that took Ford Escort (with Ford Cortina
or Ford Taunus
(1976–1982) front suspension) parts instead using a Triumph chassis. When White Rose Vehicles ceased trading some club members raised the money to buy the rights to market the car. As it is plan based the Midge has also been built using various donors including the Citroën 2CV
.
Kit car
A kit car, also known as a "component car", is an automobile that is available as a set of parts that a manufacturer sells and the buyer then either assembles into a car themselves, or retains a third party to do part or all of the work on their behalf...
(or rather a "plan and pattern" car) designed by John Cowperthwaite
John Cowperthwaite
John Cowperthwaite was a man from Sheffield, England who designed many kit cars. They were often not finished kits but "plan and pattern" cars where the builders were expected to manufacture many of the parts themselves. Among his creations are the JC Midge, Locust, the Husky and the Mayfair.He...
. Like the Locust
Locust (car)
Locust is a kit car inspired by the Lotus 7.The Locust Seven differs from most other Lotus / kit cars in that it does not use a space frame chassis, but a ladder frame and a body constructed from three 8ft by 4ft sheets of 3/4" thick exterior grade or marine plywood alternatively MDF sheets...
the body is made of aluminum skinned plywood or MDF and using a grille from a Wolseley 1500 (but many other has been used). The design is clearly inspired of British 1930s cars like the MG J2 Midget and similar to the Burlington
Burlington Cars
Burlington Cars was a British kit car company originally based in Southam, Warwickshire. They moved to Northampton in 1988 becoming the Burlington Motor Company reforming as the Burlington Design Group in 1989. Kit production seems to have stopped in around 1992. Founded by Haydn Davis the cars...
in both design and construction. Originally it was essentially a rebody of the Triumph Herald
Triumph Herald
The Triumph Herald was a small two-door car introduced in 1959 by the Standard-Triumph Company of Coventry. Body design was by the Italian stylist Michelotti and the car was offered in saloon, convertible, coupé, van, and estate models....
, Vitesse
Triumph Vitesse
The Triumph Vitesse was a compact six-cylinder car built by Standard-Triumph from 1962 to 1971. The car was styled by Michelotti, and was available in saloon and convertible variants....
or Spitfire
Triumph Spitfire
The Triumph Spitfire is a small English two-seat sports car, introduced at the London Motor Show in 1962. The vehicle was based on a design produced for Standard-Triumph in 1957 by Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti...
.
It was first presented in 1985 and then it was produced by John Cowperthwaite's own company called Moss. Later marketing and development of the Midge was taken over by T&J of Rotherham and they continued into the mid 1990s. It was then taken over by White Rose Vehicles in Gillingham, Kent. WRV also constructed their own chassis that took Ford Escort (with Ford Cortina
Ford Cortina
As the 1960s dawned, BMC were revelling in the success of their new Mini – the first successful true minicar to be built in Britain in the postwar era...
or Ford Taunus
Ford Taunus
The Ford Taunus is a family car sold by Ford in Germany and other countries. Models from 1970 onward were similar to the Ford Cortina in the United Kingdom...
(1976–1982) front suspension) parts instead using a Triumph chassis. When White Rose Vehicles ceased trading some club members raised the money to buy the rights to market the car. As it is plan based the Midge has also been built using various donors including the Citroën 2CV
Citroën 2CV
The Citroën 2CV |tax horsepower]]”) was an economy car produced by the French automaker Citroën between 1948 and 1990. It was technologically advanced and innovative, but with uncompromisingly utilitarian unconventional looks, and deceptively simple Bauhaus inspired bodywork, that belied the sheer...
.