Door locks, handles, and latch mechanisms differ across the Midget production run, and the chassis number determines which specification is correct. Several components, particularly the latch mechanism and remote control, are no longer available as new items, making careful maintenance of existing parts essential.
Exterior Door Handle
The exterior door handle is a chrome pull type throughout production. The handle is secured to the door by screws and nuts from the inside, with a gasket between the handle base plate and the door skin to prevent water ingress. The gasket should be renewed whenever the handle is removed, as a perished gasket allows rainwater to run directly into the door interior and accelerate corrosion of the inner frame.
Interior Door Pulls
The interior door pull changed three times during production: early cars used a chrome pull handle mounted with visible chrome screws, later cars adopted a black plastic pull, and the very latest models used a padded black pull assembly. Chrome interior door pulls can be retrofitted to later doors for owners seeking a more traditional appearance.
Door Locks and Lock Sets
Matched three-piece lock sets, two door locks plus a boot lock sharing a single key, are available in standard and non-slip versions. A non-slip key provides a more positive grip when turning the lock in wet or cold conditions. Individual door lock pairs and door lock gaskets are also available separately. A door lock fitting kit provides all the fixings needed for a complete lock installation.
Door Latch Mechanism
The door latch mechanism, the internal mechanism that holds the door shut and releases it when the handle is pulled, changed during production. Early and late latch types are fundamentally different designs and are not interchangeable. The latch engages with a striker plate on the B-post.
Striker Plate Adjustment
The striker plate can be adjusted fore-and-aft and in-and-out using elongated bolt holes and shims in two thicknesses to fine-tune the door closure. A door that doesn't close securely, rattles when closed, or requires a hard slam can usually be corrected by striker plate adjustment rather than latch replacement. The shims are inserted between the striker plate and the B-post, adding or removing shims moves the striker in or out, while repositioning the plate within the elongated holes adjusts the fore-and-aft position.