∙Low mileage, rare round wheel arch example
∙Freshly recommissioned after lay up
∙Bare metal respray
∙New seats, carpets and door cards
∙Ready to be enjoyed

The MG Midget started life as an imposter which is to say it was a mark 2 Austin Healy Sprite with an MG badge and a few MG trimmings. This gave rise to the collective name ‘Spridgets’ to refer to both models which continued in parallel until the demise of the Austin Healey brand in 1971. In 1972, the Midget, by then on mark III, received a restyle which included rounded rear wheel arches where previously they had been squared off. These were only in production for a few years before the Midget received rubber bumpers and are generally regarded as the most sought after.

The round wheel arch cars feature a 1275cc A series engine similar to that found in the contemporary Mini Cooper S but slightly detuned to maintain the badge hierarchy. Even then, it’s enough to give the car spritely performance (pun intended) driving the rear wheels through a four speed manual gearbox and sporting a suitably fruity exhaust note. Right from its inception, it was regarded as a light weight and fun sports car and it remains popular to this day with strong club support and parts availability.

This example was bought by the vendor as a project in September 2019. The previous owner had been in possession for some time and had been planning to restore it but changed his mind and decided to make the space. Prior to that it is believed to have been in the same family for a number of years. Although MOT exempt, it was last MOT’d in 2007 and the current owner suspects that it was off the road and in storage between then and when he acquired it.

Since then it’s been recommissioned and had a bare metal respray in Teal Blue with fresh seats and carpets. This has got it to a very usable state but the owner’s eye has been drawn by a fresh project (an eighties hot hatch, as you ask) and he’s decided to let someone else enjoy the summer weather in it.

The car has a current V5 and an MOT until 8 March 2022 and is accompanied by a full photographic record of the respray and the invoices for the interior and the recommissioning work.

The eye is immediately drawn to the refreshed seats, carpets and door cards which look very smart and complement the fresh exterior paint job. The dashboard is a model of simplicity with Smiths dials nestling behind the three spoke Mountney leather steering wheel, though it is fairly heavily patinated and, while it doesn’t detract from the functionality, it would benefit from being refreshed to match the standard of the rest of the interior. 

This being a ‘no-frills’ sports car, there is not a huge list of refinements to discuss, but inertia reel seat belts are fitted and there is an MG badge in the centre of the gear knob which was thought to have been mislaid but happily turned up midway through our photo shoot.

The roof is in good condition and can be taken down with ease. It is thought to be weatherproof but the current owner has never taken the car out in the rain to prove it. In the boot under an MG-branded cover there is a matching spare which has been repainted to the same standard as the wheels on the car, and the original jack.

Roof up or down, the car has the cheeky look of a quintessential British sports car. Teal Blue suits the car very well and the recent respray looks to be a quality job and has yet to acquire any stone chips. There is one small mark from in the garage on the passenger wing which has been touched in but it doesn’t detract from the overall very attractive appearance which is completed by the freshly painted Rostyle wheels, all shod with good tyres.

Had the vendor kept the car, the next job on the list would have been to sort out the chrome which has started to weather and the front grille would need a little attention to be as fresh as the paint job. Overall, however, it’s a real eye-catcher and will surely make its new owner proud.

Under the bonnet, the engine bay is very original and the engine fires up first time courtesy of a new battery. It pulls well – the initial acceleration is surprisingly quick – and, accompanied by a lively soundtrack, it will keep up with modern traffic. Given its physical size, it’s happier on smaller roads than on the motorway, but it’s a joy to drive with a smooth gear change and progressive brakes and there are no untoward noises from the drivetrain or suspension. It’s everything you would hope for in a classic British sports car.

Now that we finally have some summer to celebrate, what better way to enjoy it then from behind the wheel of an MG Midget? The ingredients to the recipe may be familiar, with MG styling and a Mini Cooper engine but the sum is greater than its parts and there’s plenty to savour. You won’t be alone in your enjoyment either as it’s sure to attract a lot of positive attention and, with a very active owners club, you won’t be short of advice or spare parts.

This example has had the heavy lifting of the restoration work needed already completed and can quite happily be used during the summer months. The dashboard and chrome could be jobs for the winter but with so much fun to be had on the road, you might just want to keep on driving it.

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