When Austin-Healey redesigned the Sprite, MG got a new Midget out of the deal. The Sprites were built at the MG plant in Abingdon, so adding the octagon badge and some additional chrome trim brought us the first Midget since the MG TF Midget went out of production in 1955. Here is a second year MG Midget for sale on Craigslist in Sterling, Illinois for $4,200.
Old cars don’t come much more honest than this one. It is apparent that it was well taken care of since it still has its original paint, tonneau cover and spare tire. The Clipper Blue color is an uncommon one. It seems as though most early Midgets were red or black. The seller believes that the 39,000 miles shown on the odometer could be the actual mileage.
The ad says that the floors are solid and original to the car. The sills have rust perforation and it extends to the base of the panel immediately behind the front fender. Remember the corrosion you see is just a small portion of what it is really there- trust me on that one. To do the job correctly, it will take more than the patches recommended by the seller. The glass and side curtains look serviceable and the Ace Mercury wheel covers are a cool period accessory.
The interior looks very nice, too and the seller claims that the seats are original to the car but I am a little skeptical and one photo isn’t a lot to go on. The ad states that the rubber floor coverings were removed and replaced with new carpet. The modern indoor/outdoor carpet looks a little out of place, but that can be remedied. It’s good to see the original steering wheel still in service.
Power is provided by BMC’s tough-as-nails A-series four cylinder 948 cc engine putting out 46 horsepower. It may not sound like a lot but the Mk I Midget weighs around 1,600 pounds. The engine bay looks fairly original with the correct green engine color and factory-style hose clamps mostly present. The sharp-eyed will notice the “faucet” at the back of the head – that’s the heater control. The fresh air trunking visible at the bottom of the photo has been replaced with dryer vent. I hope the new owner will appreciate the mostly-original nature of this fine old Midget and do what they can to preserve it.
My first new car was a grey/red ’72 Midget bought off the dealer floor parked next to a black/black MGB and a 289 white/black Cobra. Guess which car I should have bought….. We are close now as our two Bugeye race cars are on the same chassis that carried over to the early Midgets.
Back in the day I had a 67 Spitfire, oh that was a piece, but that’s another story.
I looked at a similar Midget that was being sold by a Shop along with a parts car. Seems the owner came in for service and didn’t pay so the shop eventually got a mechanics lien and eventually a new title. Imagine my surprise when I went to open the drivers door and it tried to come off in my hand. Then there was the comment “there’s a little rust in the hinge area”. A little – heck, the door wanted to come off in my hand.
Decided right there and then, no way was I going to tackle this one, if the hinges were rusted out what was next or not visible.
I’d lose the corny wheel covers first, but I’d never get wires again. Some really cool 4 bolt mags would be better. Sprigets are cool cars. I was upset when an article in HMN article on famous British cars, didn’t even mention the Spriget. ( and I wrote an angry letter to the editor regarding that fact) Sprigets out numbered Triumphs 5 to 1, I bet. You always knew someone with a Spriget. 2 of my friends had them, fun cars.
Hey Howard A! Sprigets, is that a word you use to make people think you know what you are talking about!
I worked on many, many of these in the mid sixties. Those wheel covers look familiar, but not on a Spridget? Again, easily changed. I preferred the Spitfire, because I filt easier, and I owned 2. My Wife wanted a Midget and I found a good deal. My friend was mildly upset, as he wanted it. Within 2 weeks the clutch went, although my Wife was very good/easy with a clutch.
She asked me to come get her. I immediately called the would be buyer and sold it to him, and disclosed the bad clutch. I didn’t want to pull the engine. Wife asked who as towing the Midget I replied; “I don’t know, and I don’t care.
Those wheel covers, while not to my taste, were original options back in the day. They’re quite rare and in good shape they’re worth some money. My first car was a ’62 whose original color was this. Sadly, even at just 11 years old it was already a rusted out piece of junk, but I loved it anyway.
I had a 62 red midget in high school. Had 2 things not that common until this one; the little back seat and these wheel covers. I had 3 in the trunk from the original owner. Went to the local dealer, who I soon would be on a first name basis, only to find out 1 wheel cover was $40!!!. I rattle canned the wheels silver and kept the covers in the trunk. They were a pain to put on anyway. Sold it the weekend before I went off to college in 70. Had it a full year, it was a lot of fun, wish I still had it.
Why are there so many upset people involved with these fun SPORTS CARS? The racers that have these cars in their stables have their maintenance program down to a science. The carbon throwout bearing being one item of concern. They
rarely get upset. On street driven sports cars, put the shifter (with your foot off the clutch pedal) in neutral at the stop lights. You’ll keep from getting upset when you fry the throwout bearing prematurely. Smart Midget owners sell their cars before the bearing goes out. However, a ‘beer thrash’ can have the bearing replaced in an afternoon. Just don’t forget to put the new bearing on the shaft after pulling the old one. THAT was really upsetting. Violently so.
Sorta’ looked like AJ Foyt when he used to really get upset. It’s all so upsetting.
Side curtains & a hardtop ! Ain’t no better !
A friend in high school had one. I could fit in it at the time. I could also reach out the open window and touch the ground. Going out one afternoon after a light rain, Midget Owner (and a friend) took a slight curve, the car hydroplaned off the road and turned over on its passenger side. Scared the daylights out of both of them. They had to open the top to crawl safely out. She walked the short distance home, her dad and brother drove back to the site and pushed the car back on all four tires. No damage. She did call me to pick her up for a concert as she didn’t want to drive that car right away!