Ready to Race: 1973 MG Midget

Motorsport can be an expensive hobby, but occasionally a vintage race car appears that is undeniably affordable. Such is the case with this 1973 MG Midget. It presents exceptionally well, featuring a freshly rebuilt motor under the hood. It is a turnkey proposition, allowing its new owner to arrive at the track for a spot of pure driving pleasure. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting this British classic listed here on Craigslist in Los Angeles, California. The seller set their price at $10,500 for an MG needing nothing.

MG unveiled the Midget in 1961 as an upmarket badge-engineered version of the Austin-Healey Sprite Mark II. It remained in production until 1979, with a Mark III variant released in 1966. This classic is a Mark III that left the Abingdon factory in 1973. The seller confirms it has been restored and presents beautifully in a deep shade of Black. The exterior features a range of racing signage, but as these are magnetic, the new owner could remove them to personalize the vehicle or return it to the streets. The contrasting Red stripes and matching rollbar make a bold visual statement, and the MG sits on a spotless set of Minilite knock-off wheels. Unsurprisingly, given the car’s recent history, it is rust-free. There are no bumpers as a weight reduction measure, but the seller includes a new soft-top.

As with most British sports cars of the era, this Midget features a relatively small motor that produces modest power in stock form. MG utilized the same 1,275cc A-Series four as found in the giant-killing Mini Cooper S, but in slightly detuned form. It delivered 54hp and 67 ft/lbs of torque when it left the factory, although this car may offer the new owner more under their right foot. A four-speed manual transmission delivers power to the rear wheels, while front disc brakes provide exceptional braking performance for this lightweight. The powerplant has been freshly rebuilt and has only logged around two hours since. It features an upgraded intake and carburetor, with exhaust gases exiting through headers and a straight-through exhaust that is reported to be loud. However, the seller includes a muffler in the deal, so reducing the noise to a street-legal level shouldn’t be difficult. The mechanical refresh continued with the replacement of the differential and axles, most of the braking system, and the installation of a new wiring harness. They also offer a selection of unspecified parts, further increasing the temptation of this turnkey classic.

With a curb weight of around 1,630 lbs, the Midget isn’t heavy. However, the seller further reduced the figure by removing the carpet during the build and replacing the dash with an aluminum fascia. The purposeful appearance continues with the chunky sports wheel, and while most of the gauges are racing-focused, the original speedometer remains intact for road use. The Miata seats should be more comfortable than the factory items, providing improved lateral support during hard cornering. The interior presentation is impressive for a racer, with the floors painted the same shade of Red as the stripes and the rollbar. The dash and pad are spotless, and the seats show no appreciable wear.

From personal experience, I can confirm that racing can be an expensive hobby. When I built my last car, I stopped counting invoices at $25,000. However, someone could slip behind the wheel of this 1973 MG Midget for considerably less. That must make it tempting to enthusiasts wishing to try their luck on the track. Whether experienced or a novice, there is no better way of enjoying a classic than by taking it to the max within the safe confines of a track. If that sounds irresistible, this Midget could represent the perfect starting point.