This little 1976 MG Midget has obviously been fading into the scenery for a number of years, especially considering the accumulation of dust and dirt on the car despite being under a lean to! The smidgen of a car is listed for sale here on craigslist in Willow Spring, North Carolina for only $1,200.
A surprising number of Midget 1500 advertisements centered on surfing and skateboarding, especially considering the “vintage” appeal of the car (even then). By 1976 the Midget was very long in the tooth, considering its roots went back to the 1958 Austin-Healey Sprite. Although the body shell had been re-engineered to fit the already smog-approved Triumph Spitfire engine and transmission for the 1500 model, there really wasn’t a significant performance increase involved. The 1500 model would continue until 1979 basically unchanged.
If you’ve never driven a Midget, unless you are very tiny prepare yourself to be a contortionist. With a single Stromberg carburetor, the 1500 was fairly strangled as well, although for the time it delivered decent fuel economy. There’s a great buying guide for Midgets here from the MG Car Club if you want to learn more.
You can see rust in typical Midget spots at the bottom of the A-pillar and front fender in the first picture above. This front shot shows the typical sagging of the rubber bumper. The metallic blue was not an original color, neither was the white (perhaps tan?) top, but it’s nice to see an un-crunched front end, and really, for $1,200 what can you expect? Parts are easy to find and as long as you fit in one, a Midget can be a great experience to own and drive. Does this smidgen of a Midget appeal to you?
Disnae look too bad, eh? Quite dry – or not humid – there, I suspect.
It’s pretty dry…most of the time. I used to live 5 miles away.
My sister had a 1964 BRG Midget back in the day. She did a valve job on it as I recall. I drove it many times and learned a little about driving a slow car quickly. I am 6’3″ as is my friend who owned a ’67 model and both of us fit in, albeit a bit snugly.
I happened to be driving on the interstate and came upon a trio of LBCs – a big Healey, a TR, and they were led by a Midget. I don’t think of my C6 as a big car but that MG was TINY. Scary tiny, in fact.
I fervently believe these cars deserve to be preserved as they are the quintessence of driving. I have often told my 30ish son that he will inherit whatever Corvette I happen to own upon my demise. But I would dearly love to provide him with the experience of mastering a LBC.
I hope this finds a good home.
Nice to see a realistically priced midget for a change, nice little car and a blast to to beat around the back roads with. Some one will get a fun little project for reasonable coin.
Two of these at my neighbors house. Can’t give ’em away at $1000.00 each.
Where?!
Looks desert-y to me, Jobilizer! But I’d like to know where the pair is also. Sure you want a totally fried interior and other soft parts? Those Midgets literally look like they are baking in a pan.
I have two at the moment. Tough to sell a non-chrome bumper Midget in dilapidated state when there are still early ones in that price range. No Midget or Sprite does well when up to its fenders in mud, grass or leaves. $1200 is about all the money if the 1500 engine hasn’t been monkeyed with and will run without a lot of tweaks. Anybody considering jumping into the Spridget fray should buy this book before jumping into a restoration.