Some classics possess so much inherent charm that they are almost impossible to ignore. That is how I feel about traditional British sports cars, and why I found myself immediately drawn to this 1974 MG Midget Mark III. This is a solid and tidy classic that is ready to provide its new owner with many years of top-down fun. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting the Midget listed here on Craigslist in Allentown, Pennsylvania. If affordability sits high on your list of selection criteria, their price of $5,900 may make this British gem irresistible.
MG introduced the Midget to its model range in 1961 as a more upmarket version of the Austin-Healey Sprite Mark II. It remained on sale until 1980, undergoing three distinct upgrades during its production run. The Mark III variant first appeared in 1966, with our feature car one of the last produced in 1974. It makes a positive first impression in Damask Red with a Black soft-top. There are no visible paint or panel imperfections, and the seller states that it is rust-free. It appears that it spends its downtime squirreled away in a warm and dry garage that protects it from the worst that Mother Nature could throw at it. The soft-top looks slightly saggy and baggy in the supplied photos, but with no rips or tears, it should offer decent protection if the weather takes a turn for the worse. The trim and glass are in good condition, with the same true of the sweet Rostyle wheels.
The theme of generally tidy presentation continues inside this Midget, with the Black vinyl upholstered surfaces free from physical damage. The buyer may elect to source a replacement for the cracked dashpad, but these are readily available through various reputable businesses that provide high-quality reproductions at a competitive price. The carpet exhibits wear and deterioration, which may be enough to convince the buyer to invest around $230 in a replacement set. Otherwise, the dash looks excellent, the gauges look crisp and clean, and an AM radio provides tunes on the move.
One of the secrets behind the success of traditional classic British sports cars is hidden below the skin. Manufacturers typically wished to bring their models to market with affordable sticker prices, and the best way to achieve that goal was to dip into the Parts Bin for components that may have seen service in more humble vehicles. The Midget Mark III was no exception, with MG utilizing the BMC A-Series four with a capacity of 1,275cc. It added a few development parts from the mighty Mini Cooper S, allowing the engine to develop 54hp and 67 ft/lbs of torque. That may not sound impressive, but with the Midget tipping the scales at around 1,640 lbs, performance was better than the figures might suggest. This little gem may not threaten a traditional muscle car, but the low center of gravity allows it to come into its own on twisting roads. The seller indicates that they treated this MG to an oil change before parking it for the winter. They state that the Midget runs and drives well, and comes with a Manual and some Service Records. It appears that flying in and driving home is a viable option for the buyer to consider.
Cars like this 1974 MG Midget Mark III won’t appeal to all tastes, but the same is true of almost any classic. Some enthusiasts focus on high-performance muscle or pony cars, while others prefer the luxury provided by land yachts. However, if you crave pure driving pleasure, it is hard to look beyond a British sports car. They don’t place a million horsepower at the driver’s disposal, but their typically low seating position makes them feel far faster than the speedometer needle indicates. This one is a beauty, and the price is competitive. Come on, summer is on our doorstep, offering ample opportunity for top-down touring with the sun at our backs. I can think of few better ways to maximize the experience than from behind the wheel of this Midget, which may be enough to convince you to give it a new home.
It’s a sweetheart for sure. Love MGs, but a Midget is just too small. This is the last of the breed indeed. Aside from the rubber pad bumpers, known as “Sabrinas”( similar to Dagmars) that was a hasty excuse for bumper compliance, after Sept. 1974 for only a few months until the 1500 Midget came out in late ’74. Many removed the pads, or knocked loose by that Dodge Monaco that never saw the car. Ask me how I know that, my MGB hood was riddled with dings, until I began parking far away. They don’t go fast enough either. While some say 90mph, not bloody likely. Since I don’t think these had O/D, 75 is about all you’ll get, and THAT will seem like the world is coming apart, moreso. It really is the nicest traditional Midget offered, I feel.
Nice car. Lots of fun with a durable running gear. The cramped interior can be overcome by installing the early Bugeye seats or, as we have done many times, put in a pair of Porsche 914 seats which gives you more room and head rests too. Shouldn’t last long at that price.
I love these these Midgets, and I admit, I like the early chrome bumper ones like this better. I tried to drive one…… Once….. I couldn’t fit I was too heavy. Which was a heart break because I always wanted to. But this one looks fantastic. I hope it goes to a good home.
@Driveinstile
Do I really need to reiterate again that I had a 1972 Midget in harvest gold, black interior & top. My first brand new car after graduating high school. I made the huge mistake of trading in a 1962 Buick Electra 225 convertible for it.
It was fun, up to a point. As a daily driver I wouldn’t suggest it but as a second weekend car, go for it.
I had a friend, 6’5″ who actually squeezed himself in behind the wheel. He looked like a pretzel. Putting the top down would have helped. He fit but not sure he could drive.
This was the car I owned when I totalled the Porsche. Ya’ll know that story, too.
I have owned several and these are great little around town cruisers. Quite scary on big roads with large SUVs since they are even smaller than a Miata, which is tiny by today’s standards. Still, a real joy to drive and the smallness enhances the experience. The top looks fine and is only “saggy” because it’s not fastened on the sides properly including the door glass being inside the top side edge vs outside as it should. Seems like a really good deal if the lack to rust is accurate…
Good little cars (EVERYTHING is bigger than a Midget !).
This seems like a reasonable price,as I got $4500 for mine
from the first person who came & looked at it.It was an early ’74,
just like this one.I sold it because there wasn’t a lot of room in it,
and,while also owning a Miata,I didn’t need two convertibles.
Looks fantastic in silver!!!
Love the color! A great little hobby sport-a-bout for back roads. Lots of fun.
Make MG Midgets Great Again!
Looks better in pictures than it actually is.It was
originally that Reddish-Orange color,that fit the car
perfectly,& was a proper ’70’s color.
The paint was oxidised,& I tried,but finally gave up
on waxing it.
A 68 Midget was my first classic car that I personally restored in the late 70’s. It was so light I could dead lift each corner, saving jack time! Mine had exhaust headers which helped wake up that little 1275 4 banger. I could drift it wonderfully through curves at speed. A few years on and I got engaged. I proudly showed it to my wife to be who looked at it, declared it a death trap (based on its size) and demanded I sell it, which I reluctantly did. Our deal was that ” someday” I could buy a larger sized classic car.
30 years forward and she kept her word, but I kinda stretched my end. I bought one car but kept going. Now I own 6 classic cars including 2 Jags. I wonder if she regrets the deal…haha.
This is the first time in the several years I have been on BarnFinds that I have seen the EXACT car I had. Owned this year in college, boy does it bring back memories. I don’t know how the engine got so rusted…shouldn’t worry me but for some reason it does. Always ran Pirelli tires on mine. It will get close to 90 but it helps to be following a SemiTruck and trailer to do it. Handles terrifically. I had the same color, same carbs, same radio. Good to see the boot isn’t bent up…hard to keep that from happening. They are great cars on curvy roads as well as dirt roads. The ride great in the snow (I always put on snow tires and a pair of cinder blocks in the trunk). As said before, there is no storage. But my goodness, those things have to be pretty unsafe now on the interstate. It is a good thing I am married and have no place to put the car because otherwise I would be making a purchase.
As for room…I was 6′ 1″ and 195 lbs and fit perfectly in it. My best friend was 6′ 5″ and he fit and drove around in it. There is plenty of length to the seating area…I suppose the problem is the width. Never experienced that problem. Someone will enjoy this.
The rusty head is typical of machine shop work these days. Probably had the valves and guides worked after cooking the head to clean it and then just slapped back on the engine.
I bought one of these from a friend in the early 70’s. He spent a lot of time & money on the motor. It had 12.5 to 1 compression & a single sidedraft Weber along with a hot cam etc. He said it put out close to 140 hp, but it was never on a dyno. It was a little rocket ship & would embarrass a 911. But it would blown head gaskets. I used to look over the windshield. Fun times while it lasted. This looks like a good buy, but my fitting into a Midget days are over.
Head gasket problems are not normal for these engines. Wrong gaskets, torqued down not using the right procedure, block and head surfaces not flat are the usual problems. Our two 948 race engines are 15.1 cr ratio and we’ve never blown a gasket. The 1275 engines are 11.1 and no problem there either. If anyone wants the torque sequence procedure, which is steps up better than the factory procedure, I’ll be glad to send it to them.
You can also use the 11-stud Mini Cooper heads on them. 12G 940 (casting mark) is indelibly etched on my memory…!
The round-arch Spridgets are the best-looking ones, I think
Yes, please send me your improved head sequence. I have a left over 1275 spare I want to build to a nice road spec. Just need to find another Bug-Eye or square Spridget with roll up windows needing rebuilding
David
Hi Bob, I’m interested in your torque procedure. Thanks in advance