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.
Here’s yet another cricket central, and just another indicator of how different our world is. When I had my MGB, we would regularly make trips to Road America, or Blackhawk Farms in Rockford, and watch these. I’m not sure how competitive this particular car is, looks like a street/track thing,( wipers?) but I’ve always wanted to drive a sports car on a track, where nobody was coming the other way. That never happened, and the fact it’s available and no comments, is a shame. Even if you didn’t race it, it’s a really cool Midget.
Good morning Howard! I have also made many trips to Road America and Blackhawk Farms. (A friend now owns Blackhawk Farms) But have only competed at Blackhawk, Reno/Fernley and Thunder hill. And yes, it is a blast to do so. Even without a “race car”. Just a good handling car at a track day is a blast. And only costs a couple of hundred dollars and some tire wear. If anyone has the chance to do it, and the desire. GO DO IT! You will never regret the experience. This car will not be the fastest out there by any stretch of the imagination. BUT, it is still fun to “fully use” the car. Buy the car, run the car in a track day, and if not your cup of tea. Then install the muffler and drive it. Although, if you are inclined to “run it”. You will then be hooked. This is not an all out competition built engine. Lots more horsepower available than with this set up. The roll bar is not SCCA legal. It would require an angled cross bar for track day or autocross. And belt harnesses would also require the correct dating and configuration. THIS IS NOT COMPETITION READY. THIS IS A POSER RACE CAR.
Small correction: Blackhawk Farms is in Rockton, IL, not Rockford. I started going there to crew for a buddy in Formula Vee in 1976 till 1981. I began going back in 2001 with a modified ’73 914 as a member of PCA Milwaukee Region for Driver Education events. (Even getting some instruction from Pro racer Randy Pobst.) I was a PCA driving instructor for our DE events at Road America, Blackhawk Farms and Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, IL. I won back to back Autocross Championships with PCA Milw. Region in ’09 and ’10. I was Region President from ’07 through ’10. So I spent many weekends and way too much money at Blackhawk Farms! Now retired to FL, I miss that place almost as much as Road America.
Come over to Sebring sometime and watch, race, or work. Been racing there since ’97, just got back yesterday and it’s still fun.
With one pipe roll bar, way too high suspension, and no proper driver protection I wouldn’t take this car any further than the racetrack parking lot. No race car here but nice.
I’ve seen your bugeye on the track and even stopped by to chat with you.
Your bugeye is about as trick as a spridget can be for SCCA. Good on you!
PS – the car in this ad is so not a race car or even a track car….
A bit of a strange build. Not much that backs up the ”race car” claims. Not that feeble roll bar, not the street seats or the lack of proper belts, not that downdraft carb, not the suspension height… So it looks like a street Midget gussied up to look like a race car. Which in itself isn’t so wrong, at least you feel like Stirling Moss while darting down back roads.
Nice wee car, but isnae a racer. Needs a proper cage, seat and belts at least.
Round-arch ones look nicer, but!
Pretty nice. I’d rather have the stock dash in it, so it could easily be put back closer to stock since it’s nothing like a real race car except in basic cosmetics.
Nice build for someone, but not a race car. It would be at least twice the asking price to fit it for racing. Good luck.
” baby cobra”. Guffaw of the day!
I had two MG Midgets. My 1st and my last, it was like operating on a dissecting heart, stitch it up here and and it tears there. Even after trading it in, even the new car dealer lied to me about what he gave me for it. Good riddance
I had a 71 Midget I bought for a song and fixed up. I loved it. My wife hated it. End of story.