BF Auction: 1976 MG Midget
Traditional British sports cars retain a strong following in the classic scene due to their inherent design characteristics. Their engines may not be the most powerful on the planet, but they more than compensate for that by providing excellent maneuverability and an engaging driving experience. This 1976 MG Midget is a perfect example of the breed. It presents well, and with a healthy drivetrain, it is a turnkey proposition needing nothing but a new home. The Midget is listed exclusively here on Barn Finds Auctions.
Although MG released the Midget in many more subtle colors, I can’t think of one that better emphasizes the total joy these cars provide than brilliant Blaze Red. It is a vibrant and happy shade that looks right at home on this beauty. The paint is excellent, with a consistent shine and no issues. It cloaks panels that are equally impressive. There are no visible dings or dents, allowing the Midget to make a positive first impression. One interesting custom touch is the fitting of Buick-style ventiports on the front fenders. They are a quirky touch that doesn’t look out of place. The trim and chrome appear nice, and with limited trunk space, the luggage rack is a practical addition. The glass is flawless, and the spotless Rostyle wheels and trim rings add a perfect finishing touch to the exterior.
If this MG’s exterior presentation impresses, its interior serves more of the same. It features Black vinyl trim that is immaculate. There is no wear or physical damage to the upholstered surfaces, with the carpet looking equally clean. The same is true of the leather-wrapped wheel and dash, with the lack of UV damage suggesting the car has been treated respectfully. In-car entertainment is supplied by a retro-style modern stereo with USB, but there are no further additions. The interior needs nothing and would suit a discerning buyer.
MG released what has popularly become known as the Mk IV Midget in 1974, and the most significant change was an engine upgrade. The company abandoned its venerable A-Series four in favor of a 1,493cc “SC” motor producing 56hp. The power fed to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission, and although straight-line performance wasn’t spectacular, that was never the design aim with the Midget. The company intended to produce a small and agile car that could hold its own on country lanes and twisting ribbons of tarmac. They achieved their goal, and this inherent design characteristic helps explain their ongoing popularity. This Midget is in excellent mechanical health. It features an upgraded Lumenition electronic ignition to provide a strong and reliable spark, but there are no other modifications. The little British gem runs and drives well, ready to offer immediate classic motoring joy.
Although it may seem like the wrong time of year to invest in a convertible, nothing could be further from the truth. We are days away from hitting the winter solstice, meaning we’re on the downhill run to the warm weather that will allow a new owner to exploit all this 1976 MG Midget has to offer. The Scout movement lives by the motto of “Be prepared.” You could do so automotively by parking this gem in your garage. I can’t see anything wrong with that idea.
- Location: Junction City, Kansas
- Mileage: 78,334
- Engine: 1500 Inline-4
- Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
- VIN: GAN6UG180442G
- Title Status: Clean
Bid On This Auction
Jive Turkey bid $6,100.00 2022-12-29 11:16:18
Gordy bid $6,000.00 2022-12-29 11:14:31- Jive Turkey bid $5,500.00 2022-12-29 11:09:16
- Gordy bid $5,300.00 2022-12-29 11:08:01
- Jive Turkey bid $5,000.00 2022-12-29 11:05:49
- Gordy bid $4,600.00 2022-12-29 11:04:43
- Jive Turkey bid $4,500.00 2022-12-29 11:03:50
- Gordy bid $4,200.00 2022-12-29 11:03:36
SftlWray bid $4,100.00 2022-12-29 11:02:24- Jive Turkey bid $4,000.00 2022-12-29 10:58:17
- SftlWray bid $3,600.00 2022-12-29 10:57:05
- Jive Turkey bid $3,500.00 2022-12-29 10:40:56
whitef bid $2,900.00 2022-12-29 10:36:33
Neble bid $2,800.00 2022-12-29 10:33:21- Jive Turkey bid $2,500.00 2022-12-29 10:18:57
- whitef bid $2,100.00 2022-12-29 10:12:08
- Jive Turkey bid $2,000.00 2022-12-29 06:18:40
Joey bid $1,800.00 2022-12-29 06:18:01
Para_medic00 bid $1,700.00 2022-12-28 15:12:58- Joey bid $1,600.00 2022-12-28 14:01:22
- Para_medic00 bid $1,500.00 2022-12-28 13:28:43
- Joey bid $1,300.00 2022-12-23 16:00:39
moparmike65 bid $1,200.00 2022-12-23 14:52:46- Joey bid $1,000.00 2022-12-23 08:46:03
JShore bid $850.00 2022-12-22 11:37:53
Mwood80020 bid $726.00 2022-12-22 10:27:27- JShore bid $500.00 2022-12-22 09:40:08
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Comments
Why those side porthole/exhaust JC Whitney things? Why?
https://barnfinds.com/bf-auction-1976-mg-midget/3u3a5715/
Looks like they’re not even on straight. This is one of the worst modifications I’ve ever seen to a Midget, and I’ve seen a lot of bad Midget modifications.
Why? That is a not so clever question. It should say, ¨Why not¨. I think they are a cool addition and off set the awful bumpers this beauty was saddled with. way back in the day, I crossed the US (Tampa to Chicago to Ft. Irwin, Ca) in a Midget and loved every second, doing an easy 70 mph all day long. Great little car.
I’d have liked it better with “Deusie” fake exhausts coming out of three “holes”.
There are no visible dings or dents if you don’t count the warped front facia.
The car has had a color change if you look at the firewall.
Interesting, I fitted the same Lumenition electronic ignition to my 79 MGB back in the day.
What’s with the wavy front bumper?
I used to have a ’79 Midget, very fun car. Of all the exotic and muscle cars I’ve owned over the years, this car was among the top of the list of “fun to drive” cars….
The wavy front bumper can be fixed by pulling up on the metal bars behind the wavy rubber.
This car is nice but it’s missing parts. The heater hose is missing, and also the air box pre-heater duct is missing. The duct goes from the exhaust manifold shield to the round thing at the end of the air box, and opens the flap in the round thing when it reaches a certain temperature to make the car more driveable.
I’m very surprised that the emissions system is still intact, because that’s usually the first thing that moto-heads rip out to make the car “nicer”. But little do the moto-heads know that a removed emissions system will render the car worthless in states where factory installed emissions systems are required. I can’t tell from the engine pictures though (can’t see the hoses), but the second charcoal canister might be missing (located in the front beside the radiator). If that’s the case then it will fail in emissions states (I know from experience)..
I love MG
The Brits took a nice looking car that they had been building for years and hung rubber slabs on either end when they could have taken a little time to come up with something else. And to top it off on this car an empty headed owner screws fake Buick port holes to either side of it. Unbelievable.
We can only hope the screw heads are as fake as the ventiport holes, and they’re just stick-ons that can be easily removed.
The rubber slabs weren’t really the Brits’ idea. Those are “EPA bumpers,” an attempt to comply with new federal regulations. It’s why, for example, American cars of the era have those bumpers that stick out from the chassis with the horizontal plastic flaps to disguise the gap.
I have a 76 Midget , blaze orange or red as its called. Mine has about 40k on it sorry doesnt have those abominable side ports nor the tacked on side kick pans that look like they will fall off if you hit a pothole. Why didnt they just deal with the normal bit of rust instead of covering it up? The Wavy front bumper is most likely from someone sitting on the front bumper or something heavy on it. The bars supporting the rubber is bent, not a hard fix but it is unsightly , why didnt they even attempt to repair that? The engine appears to still have the air pump that was put on to appease the US emission mandates. Those usually are removed after a time although I did have a 75 midget that never passed emissions when I went for a sticker despite my constant repairing of the system. I still have my 76 but its been semi retired with a growing family and the purchase of a Triumph Herald convertible. The lumenition kit is the best upgrade you can do for the Lucas ignition , for years I would store mine for the winter and in spring lean into the car, pull the choke and turn the key without touching the gas pedal and it would spring to life. If anyone on here decides to purchase this, please consider getting the stick on Buick ports removed along with the tacked on running boards. Oh one more thing if you are going to paint the wheels anything other than the original silver with the black insert, go black with the chrome lugs and trim rings not just the looks like its not finished silver.
I agree – the Silver things tacked over the rocker panels
look just plain tacky.JUST the rocker panels (below the doors)
should be Black.
All this added stuff is very distracting to look at,& keeps
your eyes constantly moving.
Back in 1972 I had traded in my 1962 Buick Electra 225 convertible for a harvest gold color 1972 MG Midget. Yes, the Diva of Cadillacs and all land yachts bought a new MG. The smallest one you could get no less. It was a fun car to drive and I got to scratch that sports car itch. Unfortunately, I will never be a small car person. After 18 months I sold it and bought a 1971 Imperial 2-door HT. That was the end of convertibles for me until my 1975 Cadillac Eldorado convertible in 2003.
Back to the Midget….. very similar to this ’76. Same black interior, 4 on the floor, 3 wipers. As much fun as it was to drive, for me it’s not a daily driver. Fun for the weekends, but as an everyday car, very impractical. I literally couldn’t fit anything in it except a passenger in the passenger seat. Back then, stereo units were big. I could not fit my stereo in the car! Seriously.
After I sold it, the girl that bought it from me called me 20 years (1994) later wondering if I had an extra set of keys. Apparently she lost the keys, but what amazed me was 20 years later she still had and was using the Midget. To each his own, I guess. I wouldn’t be surprised if she still has it.
Ha ha…I like the way that the author coyly refers to the motor as ” a 1,493cc “SC” motor ” ..it’s the Triumph 1500 engine, from the Midget’s main competitor, the Spitfire. as both companies, MG and Triumph belonged to a common British Leyland parent – it was a logical choice – could meet emission targets that the A-series could not and could provide adequate power/ torque despite being hampered by the low compression, single carb, soft cam etc required to meet emissions.
The MG faithful were not overwhelmed by the idea of installing their arch rival’s own engine in the midget, though it should be noted that the final, 1500-engined Midget was in fact the quickest , and highest top speed MG midget the factory produced.
This would be a practical, fun classic to own. I have to agree with other comments, the per-rubber bumper cars are much nicer looking, but you can hardly blame that on MG, that was required by US federal regulations.
Well since they started with the three Buick “holes”, why not finish the idea and shoehorn an aluminum Buick 215 V8 in there?