What to do with my Midget?
Discussion
Hi MG experts,
I have, in my garage, a 1973 RWA and wire wheel Midget in Black Tulip. The car was bought by my Mum on August 1st 1973 when I was 10 and I inherited it when I was in my mid 20s.
It has moved house with me about 5 times but just sat in the garage since 1990 (ish).
The engine and gearbox were rebuilt in 1990 ( in hindsight probably didn't need doing as mileage was only around 46k) but has been dry stored since then.
It has sand vinyl seats and proper MG headrests in the same colour.
I could use the garage for better purposes than just being my car that I don't use storage.
The dilemma?
Do I sell it as it is or restore to concourse and then sell?
I am unlikely to drive it regularly as I have access to more modern machinery including 2 seater convertible.
Hoping to chew the fat with fellow enthusiasts.
Cheers
I have, in my garage, a 1973 RWA and wire wheel Midget in Black Tulip. The car was bought by my Mum on August 1st 1973 when I was 10 and I inherited it when I was in my mid 20s.
It has moved house with me about 5 times but just sat in the garage since 1990 (ish).
The engine and gearbox were rebuilt in 1990 ( in hindsight probably didn't need doing as mileage was only around 46k) but has been dry stored since then.
It has sand vinyl seats and proper MG headrests in the same colour.
I could use the garage for better purposes than just being my car that I don't use storage.
The dilemma?
Do I sell it as it is or restore to concourse and then sell?
I am unlikely to drive it regularly as I have access to more modern machinery including 2 seater convertible.
Hoping to chew the fat with fellow enthusiasts.
Cheers
sell it to me, I love black tulip 
But seriously... Given the family history how strong is your emotional attachment to the car?
If you restore it yourself you might just about cover the cost of the parts used. Concours cars are very expensive to achieve and almost impossible for someone without extensive knowledge or the time to do the research.
Accept you will make no profit on any work done and do it for the challenge or sell as is and let someone else do the work. Or pay me shed loads to do it for you and enjoy the drive when it's finished
But seriously... Given the family history how strong is your emotional attachment to the car?
If you restore it yourself you might just about cover the cost of the parts used. Concours cars are very expensive to achieve and almost impossible for someone without extensive knowledge or the time to do the research.
Accept you will make no profit on any work done and do it for the challenge or sell as is and let someone else do the work. Or pay me shed loads to do it for you and enjoy the drive when it's finished
I have neither the time nor inclination to do any work myself, the emotional attachment is strong but a decision has been made that it's going to go. It's the method of letting it go that's in question.
If it's financially viable I have no objection to spending money on renovation work if it makes it a highly desirable car and will sell at a reasonable profit.
How much is loads of money to restore in terms of minimum and maximum?
If it's financially viable I have no objection to spending money on renovation work if it makes it a highly desirable car and will sell at a reasonable profit.
How much is loads of money to restore in terms of minimum and maximum?
Impossible to say without a full hands on assessment.
Any rust to repair? Does it need a respray? What other areas need work?
You'll NEVER recover the costs of body structure repairs and/or painting. You might make an extra few quid if it just needs recommissioning eg brake refurb, oils and filter, quick check over and get an MOT.
Where are you? cos I might be interested in taking it as is.
Any rust to repair? Does it need a respray? What other areas need work?
You'll NEVER recover the costs of body structure repairs and/or painting. You might make an extra few quid if it just needs recommissioning eg brake refurb, oils and filter, quick check over and get an MOT.
Where are you? cos I might be interested in taking it as is.
Depends whats needed, anything from a thorough wash and polish, to £20k+ if you just go on the MGOC site and buy one of everything.
I'd clean it up, spend a day going over it with a clay block, a few grades of polish and as many coats of wax as your arms will do.
After 25years everything will need a going over, best take the head off the engine to check if one of the cylinder/piston has suffered as one inlet valve is always open, the cylinder head will need converting to unleaded, the brakes will be seized so will need new seals in all the cylinders/calipers/pistons, the carbs will be glazed and need a strip, etc etc.
Basicly, unless you want to spend a lot of time and money I'd sell it to someone. Plenty of people would be interested in it as a project, it'll cost more to get from there to a MOT'd car than it'll eventually be worth though.
I'd clean it up, spend a day going over it with a clay block, a few grades of polish and as many coats of wax as your arms will do.
After 25years everything will need a going over, best take the head off the engine to check if one of the cylinder/piston has suffered as one inlet valve is always open, the cylinder head will need converting to unleaded, the brakes will be seized so will need new seals in all the cylinders/calipers/pistons, the carbs will be glazed and need a strip, etc etc.
Basicly, unless you want to spend a lot of time and money I'd sell it to someone. Plenty of people would be interested in it as a project, it'll cost more to get from there to a MOT'd car than it'll eventually be worth though.
If you're going to sell it then sell it as it is as you're very unlikely to make any more profit after paying for a restoration.
If you do decide to spend money then how about having it "improved" with an engine transplant and other work to make it more usable? I have a 4AGE engined Midget and it is an absolute hoot to drive. Just google "Midget K series" or "will corry mg midget" for ideas.
If you do decide to spend money then how about having it "improved" with an engine transplant and other work to make it more usable? I have a 4AGE engined Midget and it is an absolute hoot to drive. Just google "Midget K series" or "will corry mg midget" for ideas.
I attempted once to inherit my grandads old allegro vandom plas, offering my uncle the market value at the time (£500). He refused, transferred the private reg, and kept it in a garage for years until it was scrapped.
You know what I'd do with your MG ? I'd get it road worthy and give it to a nephew for free.
You know what I'd do with your MG ? I'd get it road worthy and give it to a nephew for free.
The classifides on here wouldn't be a bad place to start.
I've listed cars on these two before and had plenty of phonecalls, ended up keeping it though, the advice above is true, if you get it roadworthy you will keep it!
www.carandclassic.co.uk/
www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/
I've listed cars on these two before and had plenty of phonecalls, ended up keeping it though, the advice above is true, if you get it roadworthy you will keep it!
www.carandclassic.co.uk/
www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/
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