If there is a automotive embodiment of the word “fun,” this red MG Midget might be it. Like many BMC/BL sports cars, the Midget and Austin-Healey Sprite led long, fruitful lives with few significant changes to their basic architecture. This chrome-bumpered 1969-model may be right in the sweet spot of Midget ownership.
It’s not mentioned in the advertisement, but the 1969 Midget came with the 1275cc version of the famous A-Series engine. Detuned from its giant-killing service in the rally-winning Mini Cooper S, it nevertheless was a tractable, tunable powerplant for a car as light as the Midget. The seller will include chrome, free-flowing air cleaners with the sale.
The seller says that this Midget is a “nice driver quality car,” and the pictures show that it’s not perfect. The interior has some rips but is complete and usable. There is an upgraded radio, although hearing it over the buzzing engine and wind in your hair might be difficult.
The dashboard has that classic British sports car look, although you can see the transition to toggle switches for some components.
The seller mentions that the car has had some rust repair, but it has solid floors and rocker panels. At this point in time, finding a car that hasn’t had rust repair is fortunate; as always, a closer look may be in order to get a handle on the quality of repairs. In this shot, you can see that the plastic rear window is discolored and may need replacing.
The 1969 Midget has the “big” engine, body-colored rocker panels, wire wheels, chrome bumpers, and roll-up windows, which makes it a pretty good version of a classic British sports car. I remember two rubber-bumpered Midgets running around my neighborhood when I was a kid, and they always seemed like the most fun a person could have behind the wheel. You could experience those good times, too. This Midget is on Marketplace in Wisconsin for $6250.
Nice car. Won’t last long at that price.
Won’t last long at any price. “Rust repair?” With a can of POR15, some spray on undercoating, and a putty knife maybe. Panel gaps are highly suspect, the car is from Wisconsin, and it’s an MG.
Wonderfully fun to drive, moderately easy to work on, and cute as all get out. But it’s 55 years old and British. Should be retired to the War Room, sipping port and smoking cigars.
And, as long as the rear window does not have holes, you may not need to worry about replacement. Go on down to your local fiberglass supplier and pick up a bottle of plastic polish. I can’t recall the proper name on the bottle I’ve had forever, but I have used it on windows just like this one with amazing results (it also takes the scuffs out of hockey visors!).
best,
bt
If the rear window is discoloured it will eventually crack. You really can’t replace the window. You have to replace the whole hood.
The lower sills on Midgets were always black from the factory. So work has been done.
Big deal.
The sills and virtually all the sheet metal is available from a few sources.
The door gaps are worth looking at but hardly proof that the repairs were poorly done. These cars were hand assembled and the tolerances were far more lenient than todays robot assembled cars.
Spridgets didn’t get the black rocker panels until the late ’60s.
First Midget with black panels below the doors was the 1970. It can also be identified by the squared off and larger tail light lens and the small British Leyland badge on the lower front fender just ahead of the door. This one is proper for 1969.
But without pictures of the underside, it’s really hard to tell the extent of the rust. Front spring perches are very time consuming to replace. If those are rusty at this price, walk away.
Buy it, drive it and enjoy it – if it breaks make it a lawn ornament as pictured.