Due to Austin’s capacity being overrun, the 1959 Healey Sprite ‘Frogeye’ was built at the MG factory in Abingdon – a move that also led to the revival of a name of old.  

With the Sprite being built at Abingdon and MG needing a boost, it was decided that the car would be redesigned with an MG front end. In 1961 the MG Midget made its debut, alongside the Austin-Healey Sprite Mk 2. Both cars had a squarer body, with separate front wings and a more conventional bonnet, while the car also got a boot – something that was missing from the original Sprite. 

The little 948cc engine, meanwhile, got bigger carbs for slightly more performance.

The next milestone was the introduction of a 1,098cc variant of the trusty BMC A-Series engine in 1963. Along with the improved performance, the brakes were duly uprated with front disc brakes.

From 1964, both the Sprite and Midget received a new dash layout, fitted carpets, a new windscreen with easier to fit hood and wind-up windows, while the quarter-elliptic rear leaf springs were replaced with semi-elliptic to give a better ride quality.

But by 1971, the arrangement between Donald Healey and BMC had finished and BL had no desire to renew it, leading the Midget to soldier on alone. It also saw another facelift, with round wheel arches replacing the boxy originals. Today, the 1971-75 models are the most sought-after Midgets of the lot.

Acquired by the owner in 2015, the Midget was in very poorly condition at first. He has since fully restored it himself in his home workshop, having taken great care to make it as high quality as possible. The attention to detail is wonderful. 

The vendor used to run a British Leyland dealership, so the Midget has a personal connection. But with seven other classic cars, he needs the space to make way for his recently acquired MG TD.

There isn’t much paperwork with the MG as it was acquired by the vendor as a basket case and restored to its former glory. He has, however, kept many of the receipts from the parts he bought for it.

The car has a full UK V5C showing the name and address of the vendor and two sets of keys.

Finished in British Leyland Flame Red, the Midget looks absolutely fantastic – the vibrant colour offset by black lower trim, a black roof and smart Minilite-style wheels. 

Structurally, the car is excellent, with no visible rust, while the entire floor and bodyshell were rebuilt by the vendor himself.

The paint is exceptional, while the car has a number of period extras including fog lamps, mud flaps, side repeater lamps, a rollover bar and a stainless steel exhaust.

The roof is nearly new and in good condition, while it also comes with a brand new tonneau cover and part-tonneau. The chrome is all very smart and well-presented.

The Midget was retrimmed as part of the restoration, with new carpets and seats throughout. 

The vinyl seats and door cards are nearly new, as are the floor coverings and three-spoke sports steering wheel, while the dashboard has been repainted in satin black.

The 1,275cc A-Series engine is beautifully presented and is a lively unit that suits the Midget’s character, and it fires up instantly from cold with very little choke. Like the rest of the car, it was overhauled as part of the ground-up restoration. 

In addition to the engine, the brakes and suspension were thoroughly overhauled, along with the steering rack. New bushes and rubbers throughout complete the picture.

This is a truly lovely example of the desirable round-arch Midget, which has been completely stripped down and restored by a time-served engineer. 

The quality of the workmanship is second-to-none and it wants for nothing. If you want one of the best Midgets on the market right now, then here it is. A brilliant restoration in immaculate condition.