1975 MG Midget 1500 *Sold £3,300*

Description

• 1500cc twin carb
• Lovely interior
• Lots of invoices for money spent
• Good condition
• Part of a small private collection

One of the most versatile British classics cars, the MG Midget.

A joy to drive, lovely to live with, easy to use, the Midget is the ultimate all-rounder. Bags of fun and fantastic value too.

Background

The MG Midget can trace its heritage back to the Austin-Healey Frogeye Sprite. The same fabulous classic car that brought sports car motoring to the British public in 1958. In 1961 the Austin-Healey Sprite Mk2 arrived, and with it the MG badged Midget.

The final version of the MG Midget arrived 1974 with the launch of the Midget 1500.

History

• Part of a small collection on the Isle of Man
• First registered 23 May 1975
• Regular but little use in recent years
• Stored in an underground garage

Mechanicals

• Twin Carbs
• 1500cc engine
• Four speed manual gearbox
• Clean, tidy all original engine bay

The MG Midget mechanicals don’t get any simpler. Added to that, there is a massive owners’ club scene and probably the largest number of parts suppliers of any classic car.

This MG Midget has had:

• The twin carbs removed, stripped, overhauled and then balanced
• A service with leads, dizzy cap renewed. That included dealing with a couple of good old British oil leaks from rocker cover etc

The 1491cc engine in the last-of-the-line MG Midget has bags of torque and pushes out just over 70bhp. That is more than enough to make for lively go-kart-like motoring.

The engine bay is clean and tidy. The chrome radiator shield bearing the MG logo is a nice touch.

Outside

This Midget stands out from the common Red and Blacks in its original Aconite Purple. You definitely won’t lose it when you park it up at your next classic car event.

It comes with a practical chrome and wood rear luggage rack. The hood was replaced not long ago.

The classic Rostyle wheels all round are in good condition as is the rubber wrapped around them.

The additional chrome sill covers set the Midget off perfectly against that purple paint work.

It has had some money spent on it too, with work being undertaken to the sill and underside. Invoices are in the Gallery.

Inside

• Wooden sports steering wheel
• Original black crinkle dash
• Tan seats
• Matching tan carpet
• Wooden gear knob
• New seat belts
• New roll-over bar – invoices in the Gallery for the bar and fitment

The interior really is in good condition, unusually so. Even the driver’s seat, which generally takes a battering is good. Take a look at the images.

The MG Midget is most fun, blasting along B roads. The snug, sports interior suits that perfectly. Everything falls nicely to hand. You can blip up and down the short shift gearchange and the light steering makes the Midget a delight.

Summary

There is a reason the MG Midget remains one of the most popular classics. They are entertaining, simple and fabulous value. Anyone who spots an MG Midget is going to smile. When you’re driving one, you’ll break into a full-size grin.

As either an introduction to the classic car scene, or simply as a great car to enjoy on a weekend, this MG Midget is perfect. A reliable, simple, good-looking, fun roadster that is a delight to drive and easy to maintain. Whoever wins this auction will be walking away with a smile.