Ready To Drive: 1976 MG Midget
Ungainly looking? Yes, a bit, the protruding rubber bumpers do it no favors. The jacked-up stance doesn’t help either but this 1976 MG Midget is in pretty spectacular condition. One day to go in the bidding, so look fast. It is located in Manheim, Pennsylvania, and is available here on Bring-A-Trailer for a current bid of $3,976.
If you frequent Barn Finds you’ll know that I have a “thing” about early five MPH bumpers. I get the concept and the why, I suppose, but it was a bit of a ham-handed requirement and quite a few manufacturers didn’t do it too well. Lack of planning, a physical impossibility, cost issues, etc. who knows but cars like an MG Midget really got sideways with this one regulation; a diminutive body hampered with Big bumpers.
This Midget, according to the seller, has been refurbished and it appears that the restorer didn’t miss much if anything. You have to actually wonder about the cost of a redo vs. what the car will yield at auction. Anyway, the beautiful blue finish is quite deep and looks well applied while all of the black trim, including the aforementioned abundant bumpers, are true black and not faded, wavey or split. The black convertible top is listed as wrinkled but experience indicates that parking such an afflicted top in the sun usually smooths it out. As for the plastic rear window, it’s extremely clear. Considering the short overall length of a Midget, it actually looks pretty balanced even with the top in the raised position.
Under the bonnet is a 65 HP, 1.5 liter in-line, four-cylinder engine that looks fantastic. The seller states that it is equipped with a Weber carburetor and an aftermarket air cleaner; the whole package appears as if it just returned from the engine builder but the seller offers no elaboration. So rebuilt or not, operating capabilities, etc. are items worthy of an inquiry. The mileage is listed as 61K but there is no claim or documentation to back up that number. Here is a video of the engine starting. There is also a driving video here but it’s not too revealing, if you blink, you’ll miss it. A four-speed manual transmission gets this Midget’s power to the rear wheels.
The interior’s appearance is in keeping with the exterior’s restored appearance. The black vinyl upholstery, along with the door cards and the carpet, has a just completed look about themselves. The instrument panel is not minus any of its gauges or switches and the seller states that there is a modern head unit installed, within the center stack, that broadcasts through new speakers. The dash pad checks out too, no visible splits.
The upside? A beautifully reconditioned MG Midget that appears to need little or anything in terms of attention. The downside? The rubber bumper versions of MG’s ’70s lineup are not the most highly desired of their extensive catalog. That said, this example is trending in very reasonable bid territory and there is no stated reserve. There are 136 images included with the listing, please check them out. This MG Midget could prove to be quite the buy; what do you think, any interest?
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Comments
Agree on the bumpers. For not a whole lot of money you can convert these cars to the earlier bumpers and lower them down to the original ride height. Greatly improves handling. Real weak area is the smogged Spitfire engine and gearbox. You can bump horsepower and reliability but the gearing in the 4 speed transmission coupled with the 3.9 or 3.7 rear gear doesn’t give a good combination of acceleration and cruising. Needs a 5 speed. As good condition as this car is it might be worth the modifications if it’s bought right. Great color. We used it on a couple of race car builds.
The bumpers don’t offend me and I think the elevate ride height makes it look sportier!
What value! Already very usable, no work. Wish I was in the market for another English sports car
Sold for $5400. That’s about all the money, as others have said on BAT. Why exactly is a Bring A Trailer vehicle crossing over to Barn Finds? This is surely not a barn find. Of note is the missing jackhole plug in the rocker and some questionable waves in the finish looking at some of the photos. One of the two best colors offered on rubber-bumper Midget, the other being Vermillion Orange.
It did not sell. Didn’t meet reserve.
It is all true that the post 75’s lost something and are not as well regarded, but as the owner of one I can tell you that the torque in the 1493 is very nice, although it changes the personality of the car. Despite the extra weight and higher centre of gravity this is still a good handling car that can be thrown into corners with confidence. In short, even the post 75’s are a bast to drive, easy to maintain, and cheap to own – provided you do the basic maintenance yourself. None of which is at all difficult. You tube is a great resource.