Thanks go to fellow contributor Jeff L. for sending me this find to look over. It’s a 1962 MG Midget, based on the original Austin-Healey “Bugeye” or “Frogeye” Sprite, but with a more conventional body evocative of the just-introduced MGB. It’s located in the same place where it came from, the United Kingdom, specifically in Swansea, and is being auctioned here on eBay UK, where current bidding is 1,480 pounds (roughly $2,158) and there’s no reserve.
I’ve owned both a Midget and a Sprite, and they are charming cars to drive IF you fit into one and are flexible enough to get into it. This early car still has the side curtains left over from the Bugeye, later cars came with roll up windows, but does come with a nice hardtop. The seller tells us that the car has only had two owners; I’m not sure if they are including themselves or not.
The car is described as a “Barn Find,” I’m guessing this is a picture of the car in the barn. While it’s not a factory hardtop, I’m glad it was fitted as it probably kept the wet out of the interior during the period the car was in storage.
The interior actually looks considerably better than the exterior, although the seller didn’t include pictures of what the floors look like once the mats are removed. The seats look salvageable, and the dash doesn’t look too bad apart from where the radio was fitted in the past. I think that’s just faded carpet on the front of the transmission tunnel, not rust, but I can’t be sure.
There are a lot of signs of moisture under the hood. That panel in front is actually part of the radiator if I remember correctly, and is brass, but the rust on the valve cover and the corroded aluminum SU carburetor bodies has me concerned that the visible rust on the body is just the tip of the iceberg. Cars get restored in the UK that would be scrapped here, so I’m hoping one of our British readers jumps on this one and takes it home!
a Mark I in the right color inside and out. needs a total rebuild so you could change the car to LHD. if it was not a Mark I i might be thinking parts car. i am glad it is on the wrong side of the ocean. great find.
Was anyone else amazed when Jeremy Clarkson fit in one of these and liked it
He is 6’4″
I want to see one crossed with a Prius
Talk about smart
OK smart ass
These are fun, My brother and I have owned many. I think this is pretty spendy for the US market. My brother still has his last one like this…….only in much better shape……laying in the hanger next to one of his airplanes. I think he would take 1500.00 for it. As I remember it has wire wheels and a zero time engine. Maby an upolstery kit waiting to be installed too. I am 6’2″ and can drive them pretty well If the top is down. I think the hardtop might a bit limiting.
post it for sale on this site and see what happens. what year and in what city/state is his located? thanks
It is in Spokane, I really can not speak for him and we have not discussed the car for a long time. Everything my brother does is top notch so I am sure it is really in good shape. He is really buisy right now dealing with my folks estate. I will ask him about it next time we talk.
sorry for your loss. on the car i am sure that when you and your brother are ready to sell the car will have a lot of interest. thanks.
It is a Barrow in Furness registration,if they are original issue,which when this car was new,was in Lancashire England. It is now in Cumbria,I was born in Barrow. Lovely MG, I had a ’79 ,(rubber bumper)1500 Midget in British Racing Green. Great little drive!
Been on the old Interweb,Sherlock style (he uses more brain-power and memory to be honest), first stop the dvla site it says car first registered on 1/1/1963,it has a 1098cc engine and is off the road currently. I think it would have been sold by Simpsons of Rawlinson Street Barrow. The garage is still there,but is now called Cameron’s and is a specialist in older VW s. IMHO