MGBs are frequently advertised as worthwhile projects, but the smaller Midget deserves a good look, too. This eBay listing is for two cars, one a tired runner that can still move under its own power and a second parts car that actually may be the better one to restore, with less rust and a 1500 engine and transmission already installed. Find the pair here on eBay with bidding still under $1K and the reserve unmet.
The green car certainly looks at first blush like the better car, especially with those wire wheels, chrome bumpers and classic British Racing Green paint. The seller began restoring this car last year but didn’t get very far, only removing the coolant hoses. I’ve always loved the three windshield wiper setup that the Midgets have, along with the pretty alloy windshield surround. Those qualities notwithstanding, the seller planned to swap the best bits from the green car to the red one.
The seller the engine in the green car runs with decent compression, but that carb work is needed before it goes anywhere far. It sports the 1275 cc unit, which was effectively a detuned version of the Mini Cooper S engine. The underwhelming performance (compared to the Cooper) was a disappointment for MG fans, but much like the turbo Trans Am and the Corvette, the powers that be didn’t want sales of the bread-and-butter MGB threatened by a more powerful Midget.
I dig the two tone paint job on this Midget featured in a period advertisement (I also dig the skateboarder’s baseball shirt) and wold do the same here, but with the prettier chrome bumpers from the green car swapped over. Actually, if the reserve is $1K or lower, I’d consider restoring both cars since neither one seems terminal in the rust category. If you had to take this project on, which car would you restore and which would you part?
The green one is all together and all one color, no brainer there. It does have some rust perforation at the hood edge that probably goes all the way across. They’re fun cars, I had a 73 a long time ago.
Forget the cars, I like the model in the “period advertisement” although she probably doesn’t look that good today.
Long as you are doing it for the love – these little guys just do not sell worth a darn – no matter how nice
the chrome bumper Midgets will sell, although certainly not in the MGB league. But, a rubber bumper Midget . . . yessir, you got problems.
Relisted with a BIN of $1600
As an interesting aside, I went to college with the skateboarder. He had a new B as part of his compensation (in the unfortunate color of russet brown).
Every now and then he’d recreate the stunt using his B. A bit of alcohol would convince him to try it. Too much alcohol did not go as planned as I remember:-)
Relisted but still has a reserve. Unfortunately, not much from the later car will transfer over to early green one unless you are ready to chop body panels off. Hoods are the same, dash is close, windshield frame, top bows. These cars are separated by years of malaise in the British Leyland stable. I’d have to make two trips to pick up both cars. (Some have tried two Midgets on one trailer to much hilarity in my car club).