Stored Thirty-Five Years: 1970 MG Midget
For fans of simple, cheap fun, we have the perfect winter project. Here on eBay is a 1970 MG Midget bid to $618.94, reserve not met. Stored for over thirty-five years in a climate-controlled environment, this Midget does not run but the motor does turn. The car will need to be towed from its location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We have T.J. to thank for this tip! Wire wheels with eared knock-offs were an option in 1970; standard equipment was “Rostyle” steel wheels. While we’re down there looking at wheels, note this is a “square” Midget, with square rear wheel arches. In 1972, the arches were rounded. Midgets produced for the model year 1968 had to meet US safety regulations that required wiper blades to cover most of the windshield surface; British Leyland’s solution was to add a wiper blade. So this little guy sports three wiper blades – kind of cool. Thankfully, 1970 was too early for horrible rubber bumpers.
The Midget and its cousin the Austin-Healey Sprite followed the Bugeye Sprite in 1961 to maintain an entry in the cheap sports car niche. The first engine was the same 948 cc in-line four-cylinder that the Bugeye utilized; an upgrade to 1098 cc’s lasted until 1966 when the 1275 cc motor was finally introduced. Alas, this new motor was a detuned version of the Mini’s Cooper S motor, producing only 65 bhp to the Cooper S’s 75 bhp. But at least it was an improvement over the 1098’s paltry output of 59 bhp. A four-speed manual gearbox helped the driver row the car from zero to sixty in about 14.7 seconds; top speed was 94 mph. The engine bay looks substantially complete, right down to the Tudor washer fluid bottle.
The interior, like the rest of the car, needs some help. The dash pad is dented and torn, and there is some sort of after-market light installed to the left of the steering column below the dash. Note that the dash has no glove box; that convenience was a casualty of safety regulations for a couple of years. The trunk contains a knock-off wrench (useless for this car; you’ll need a knock-off hammer), an extra steering wheel, and a wire wheel spare. Other parts come with the car, including three radiators.
The body isn’t terrible; the seller notes a spot of rust on the driver’s side floor, but it’s about the most minor spot of rust I’ve ever seen. The top will need replacing. A stray yellow stripe decorates the trunk; speaking of paint, this car has probably been repainted since originally the sills would be black. Despite this little beast’s rough looks, many of its issues are minor. The motor is simple and parts are available all day long from several vendors. Driving a Midget is a special experience – you don’t drive it so much as wear it. Prices have remained very reasonable, with about $15,000 at the very tip-top end, and reasonable drivers costing considerably less. What about tucking this one away in your garage? It would barely take up as much space as your beer fridge!
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Comments
Looks like a glove box lid hanging down on the right side of the dash board. One problem with the later cars is the fat seats which take almost 5 inches more fore and aft than the early seats which are just as comfortable. The ’62 I bought off the showroom floor had the steel wheels which were on most of the US bound cars to keep the price down to the $1,800 I payed for mine. I asked about ordering the spoke wheel kit and after being told the price immediately fell in love with the steel wheels and hubcaps. Our ’67 had spoke wheels from the factory.
The ’62 with steel wheels, the ’67 with spokes and Porsche 914 seats to get the added fore and aft space. Smaller steering wheel also helped.
’62
Had a Bugeye with factory hardtop, was cozy warm in the winter for what the heater could put out.
Owned several Mk2 Sprites, one without any top. Drove it from North Shore Boston thru downtown SE Expressway to South Shore all winter topless but with the side curtains in the wee hours. The heater could indeed put out some heat, but those were cold rides. Amazing what a guy will do for a woman…
If I only had a garage,,,,however, several things would make me pass on this car. 1st, great write-up, that IS a glove box under the dash.( thanks bob) My ’71 MGB had a similar dash, no glove box and the hammer for the knockoffs should be there, unless you’re George Atlas. Knockoff or wrench still needed the hammer. The wrench was for later cars to prevent wheel theft. 2nd, Midgets are great cars,,,in the right setting. For me, the wires are a major deal breaker, my MGB had wires and I swore I’d never have them again. And a swap to the disc wheels isn’t so simple, at least on the B it wasn’t. Also, O/D was not available on the Midget, that I knew of, so 94 mph is a bit optimistic, MAYBE 80, and I got news for you, not in this car. ’72 is kind of rare, as they are the only ones with a split back bumper, and I see the air pump is long gone. Good riddance. 3rd wiper? 1st thing I took off, and one doesn’t realize how small these really are. A bit intimidating staring at that RAM duallys front axle thats riding you azz at speed. The newer 1500s were not near the car these were, as ’72 was the best year for MGs, I felt. I just don’t see the interest in these anymore, a shame, they are fun little cars for that back lane, top down,,bulletproof antique Austin motor ticking over, gearbox whining, ( no 1st synchro, don’t forget), fun per buck, can’t lose. Now, about that toolbox you’ll need to carry,,,a great find.
All series III Midgets had split rear bumpers.You’re
probably thinking of the ’70 MGB,the only year of B’s
that came that way.
I sold my ’74 chrome bumper (cb) Midget earlier
this year,as I had hand surgery,& wouldn’t be able to
drive it (or work on it) until sometime next year.Luckily,
the market is up on these right now,so I came out OK
on it.
We actually had ours moved from CA to VA in the
moving van,along with the rest of our stuff.My Wife
agreed to do that,& for some reason I was tickled that
she did.
These are called Midgets for a good reason –
they’re a tight fit for many of us.The upside was that I
could fit it in the garage,next to the Miata.
Almost every other car looks big compared to
it.It made the Miata look big,but had more room to haul
stuff inside,& in the trunk.
Thanks, pal, after I “hung up”, I thought about that.
These feel like they’re ripping’ along at 100-120 mph when you’re really only going 55-60, just because you’re so close to the ground but what fun! ‘61 Midget was Very simple, ie used a rawhide drawstring off my leather vest (‘70’s-it was a fad out here ok??!!?) when the throttle cable broke at the pedal. Opened the hood, saw the problem. 25 miles from the nearest occupied area, Tied the drawstring on ran it out the corner of the hood and using the left hand for throttle control while steering/shifting with the right..
Wouldn’t try that with anything much newer than that machine.
Got more MPG (Miles Per Grin) than practically any other car before or since-especially when we realized one day that it would fit thru the double doors of the high school hallway, but another story for another day.
GLWTS and Cheers to the new owner!
Had 3 of these . . . a ’69, a ’73, and a ’79 Sun Runner.
The ’73 had the round wheel wells, the other 2 were squared-off. Anybody know the rhyme or reason as to round vs. squared-off rear wheel wells?
The arches were squared to add strength when the trunk was added in 1962. The car was strengthened and the round arches returned. Legislation requiring increased impact strength meant that the square arches returned in 75 when the 1500 came out and was “ruined”.
I have a 1500 and love it. That said some do not consider the 1500 a “real” Midget..
Love a Midget ! One of those cars I felt claustrophobic in even with the top down. Great fun for around the block stuff, pile in the neighbor kids.
I like the one that Harry O drives!
I think a side by side is the same size, more powerful and more fun than this little car and i owned one in my early 20’s