One criticism leveled against classic British sports cars is that their small engines typically produce relatively modest performance. However, the seller has taken matters into their own hands with this 1970 MG Midget, adding a V8 that transforms it into what they call a “mini Cobra.” If its stunning looks don’t capture your heart, the thought of what could happen when you press the “loud’ pedal almost certainly will. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting this unforgettable classic listed here on Craigslist in Seattle, Washington. The seller set their price at $42,500, but might consider appropriate trades.
MG released the Midget in 1961, marketing its latest offering as a more upmarket version of the Austin-Healey Sprite. The Mk II variant arrived in 1964, with the company producing the Mk III from 1966 until 1974. The history of this Midget is unclear, but the seller tackled their build as a complete nut-and-bolt process that left nothing to chance. The body received numerous upgrades, including a tilt front, integrated fender flares, a front spoiler, and a hood scoop. The fit and finish is extremely nice, with no evidence of inconsistent panel gaps or rust. The Dark Blue Metallic paint holds a mirror shine, contrasted by the Silver stripe. A roll bar protects occupants if this classic ever finds itself shiny side down, while the enormous wheels fill the wheel arches perfectly. The car features a custom side exhaust, further indicating that this is anything but your average Midget.
This Midget would have left the line powered by a 1,275cc A-Series four producing 62hp and 72 ft/lbs of torque. However, the seller has transformed it into a brute that should pin occupants in the seats when the driver is less than delicate with their right foot. The engine bay now houses a Chevrolet 350ci V8, teamed with a Muncie four-speed manual transmission and a custom 10″ Chevrolet rear end. Rack and pinion steering should enhance the driving experience, with the braking system featuring upgraded front discs. There is no information supplied regarding the small-block’s specifications, but with the engine inhaling plenty of cold air via the hood scoop and spent gases exiting through headers and a dual exhaust, 300hp is well within reach. One thing that the seller emphasizes is that the car runs exceptionally well and that the driving experience is outstanding. If the Midget’s appearance is enough to draw crowds, tilting the hood will make jaws drop.
This Midget’s interior is as purposeful as the drivetrain, featuring a custom dash with a selection of gauges to monitor the health and progress of this classic. It retains its original seats, and the upholstered surfaces are finished in the correct Black vinyl. It doesn’t score creature comforts like a radio, with the seller’s focus purely on outright performance. Anyway, who needs music when you’ve got a Chevy small-block at your command, singing a fantastic tune? Otherwise, it is clean and free from cosmetic issues and shortcomings.
I have examined the listing images and the specifications of this 1970 MG Midget, concluding that this classic will almost certainly fall into the category of “scary fast.” It won’t appeal to purists, but those seeking an exciting driving experience will find the MG extremely attractive. It is by no means cheap, but recreating this beast for the asking price would be almost impossible. Do you find yourself drawn to this custom, or isn’t it your cup of tea?
This is a cool ride. One problem i have with it. What type of 350 engine? Horsepower and Torque? The money spent here i would of drop a stroker 383 same size as 350 but it would have 450 hp and it would fly. No joke fly!! This ride is a fast toy. Yes i would love to have it and probably change the engine to the 383 stroker. Yes i probably get into trouble a lot! 😂 It would be fun going to car shows of all types. Because like it was written one of a kind! The engineering that when into this is astounding. They should think about taking orders and making more of these. They already did the hard work and know what to do. I wish them luck selling this fun ride. 🐻🇺🇸
A stock 350 would be way more than enough. I doubt you could drive it on the street; it is so over powered. Ridiculous.
Fred… Life is short. I am going to be 67 soon. I am old school and we have a saying. There is never enough horsepower!! That’s why I wrote up a 383 stroker 450hp. I know i will be smiling shifting every gear! And smoking those rear tires!! Also the sound the beast would make! Haha Life is good!! 😄🐻🇺🇸
I can see it now, one of our British cousins awoke all in a fluster, “mum, I just had a right Weston-super-mare, some Yankee hooligan turned one of our beloved Sprigets into a monster,,,they did”…and a monster indeed. I know, it’s not unusual for some folks to go all out, and this is no exception. Someone did an incredible job here, and I wonder, perhaps TOO scary? I mean, there’s no blueprints for something like this and could easily be unsafe, why it doesn’t even have seat belts, that I can see, THAT doesn’t make a lick of sense. A lot of good the roll bar does, you’d be learnin’ to fly. I bet this thing is dangerous as heck, and for used Jag money,(?), why would you bother with this?
I have done many Spridgets in my day and have seen a few interesting engine swaps. This was a labor of ‘true love’ seeking….’How am I going to stuff this motor into this little thing?’. It obviously is not the same car or even close to a stock Midget in any respect. The old car saying that says, ” If you can’t get the power to the pavement, what good is a big motor!” definitely applies here. You can bet it probably goes in a straight line pretty good, but I don’t think it will handle very well. I was at a British Hershey show once and a guy put a 350 Chevy motor into a Morris Minor. Nice work there too but I wouldn’t want to ‘daily drive’ that one either. These projects to me represent someone’s unique creativity. The end results look very cool and the custom work is outstanding! Is there money to be made on this project? I think not! The project was built and the ‘itch’ was satisfied. Time to move on… It is a show stopper!!… Just my opinion……….
“Possible trade” in the auto world usually means I have no shot of not losing a ton on my one off build, so let me try and trade into something with more universal appeal that I can actually sell……..
Nice work overall, but if you’re going to put a big engine in a go-cart, shouldn’t you have a shoulder harness/seatbelt/headrest protection system? What good is the roll bar if you’re flying through the air after being thrown from the car?
I did tech for the local drag strip, it was owned by a large corporation so they followed the NHRA rule book closely, largely for insurance reasons. The track manager gave us orders to fail and Cobra kit car that didn’t have much of what you suggest including arm restraints. Over the years I only saw 1 pass, that was because he’d road raced it on several occasions and knew enough to read the tracks policy on their website, then call and find out what exactly what he needed.
Steve R
Im trying to help my 86′ year old neighbor sell his 77′ one owner MGB with 75 k miles for $ 6,300 oboe and in one month one person looked it,yeah looked.I guess the lack of shops that work on these,available parts and old folks dying off and the young kids having no interest has doomed these.
You are accurate on all your comments – especially young kids who are more interested in the cell phones and social media – if this is the future we are doomed.
Texas license plate – more money than brains is a common occurrence in the Lone Star state – good luck to someone in Seattle trying to unload this or take an interesting trade.
Brought a 69 Midget back to life in my earlier days. The 1275 was good enough to push it around. In these days, you don’t need a V8 to make these things fairly quick. A Miata twin cam would suffice plenty. This is too much engine for too little car.
The ad says frame off restoration. These cars are unibody and have no frame. Having owned more than a couple of sprigets. I will say you would have to have a complete new frame under this
Must’ve offended someone again-nothing I’ve written since yesterday showing up in comments.
Until now!!
Regardless, I for one think it’s a great bit of hot rodding despite the naysayers talking about more money than brains.
Kind of like the stuff my older brother heard from other people when he dropped a bigger engine in his Crosley. His answer was “why should I care what they say? It’s MY car and MY money.”
“Mini Cobra”. Absolutely appropriate, Adam! What a wonderful bit of engineering here-sheet metal, drop and recess on the powertrain, suspension reconfiguration and so on. Having owned a Midget and several Sh!tflames,err, Spitfires it’s a speed freak dream come true.
Yes, probably a big chunk of change to design and build this but wow what an incredible finished machine.
Big HP + a small car = an often successful formula in upping the GGPM (Grins and Giggles Per Mile).
Looks like the profanity filter caught your first comment and then you posted the same thing over and over again so the spam filter kicked in.
Thank you, Jesse. I thought it might be my lack of computer knowledge. I see now that my tongue in cheek nickname for Triumph Spitfires was my undoing..
Did want to repeat the part of “Mini Cobra’ is absolutely appropriate, Adam!”
Your patience is appreciated, everyone.
Kurt
I like it and it is obviously not meant to be a daily driver. Add says custom frame. Just because you have excess power for a vehicle doesn’t mean you have to keep your foot in it all the time and I don’t feel this is any scarier than a fiberglass cobra kit car with a 427 side oiler, rode in one and when you put it to the wood you can feel the floor pan flex.
Must’ve offended someone again-nothing I’ve written since yesterday showing up in comments.
Until now!!
Regardless, I for one think it’s a great bit of hot rodding despite the naysayers talking about more money than brains.
Kind of like the stuff my older brother heard from other people when he dropped a bigger engine in his Crosley. His answer was “why should I care what they say? It’s MY car and MY money.”
What’s next, a GM big block powered motorcycle?
Oh wait…
How about a V8 Pontiac Solstice?
How about a blown 350 in a Fiero, with the stock transaxle? Steel Valley Nationals in Canfield Ohio many moons ago. He said once he learned to ease it off the line for twenty or so feet before he nailed it the clutch and transaxle lived…
Or Miata?
https://www.monstermiata.com/
That’d be some Boss Hoss there, Sailbad!
Made ‘em here in Houston, with pride!
This is only good for stop-light-to-stop-light driving. It would be no good at ‘canyon carving’. Looks cool though. And no street car should EVER have an unpadded roll bar – if you aren’t wearing a helmet, that bar is a potential skull crusher.
This falls into the same category as a T-bucket with a blown big block. You don’t build it to be your daily, you build it to be the wildest version of whatever you are starting with to draw the most attention you can. Mission accomplished here.
Cool
Adding my two cents here. Drivers with long legs need not apply, at least that was my experience with Spridgets.
In drove a friends TD that had a healthy V-8. When I got were I was going to ,I got out and thanked my lucky stars I was in one piece. It was a rocket and you could over drive it in a heart beat. Going was great ,stopping not so much. My friend sold it very quickly, we never talked about it. I think neither one of us wanted to admit that it scared the s— out of us!
I absolutely LOVE this thing!! Great color combination, and they really nailed the Mini Cobra look. I can only imagine how quick this thing is IF you can get those rear tires to hook up. Looks like a top notch job.
You know….. I couldn’t help but notice…… Scrolling through all of the comments here…. Not ONE person has said…….,”Boy….. This thing must get great gas mileage “.
😆👍🏻
Great build. Suppose a person used a buick 215 v8. weighs 318 lbs.
Next someone will put a Chevrolet 350 in a Smart Car. That should be fun.
It won’t let me add the image, but google it and see many samples.
I have seen one with a Suzuki Hayabusa engine in it
I think it’s totally awesome, except for the wheel choice, and as mentioned, the lack of roll bar padding.
Several comments that it’s overpowered and “unsafe to drive”, as if the gas pedal only goes to the floor at all times! LOL! It has a custom chassis to, so it probably handles as well as a Cobra, which has been described as trying to kill you every chance it gets. LOL! Not for the faint of heart for sure.