MGB or Midget?
Discussion
I'm sure that this has been asked before.
I occasionally drive a fairly standard (If the car was mine I'd be tempted to fettle the suspension a bit), good condition late-model MGBGT and quite like it.
I've never driven a Midget (I did once drive a slightly tired Spitfire 1500, which seemed quite primitive)
I know that they are different types of car, but as a "driver's car" which is the more fun in fairly standard form?
Which of the two can be most simply/cheaply modified to improve the driving experience?
I occasionally drive a fairly standard (If the car was mine I'd be tempted to fettle the suspension a bit), good condition late-model MGBGT and quite like it.
I've never driven a Midget (I did once drive a slightly tired Spitfire 1500, which seemed quite primitive)
I know that they are different types of car, but as a "driver's car" which is the more fun in fairly standard form?
Which of the two can be most simply/cheaply modified to improve the driving experience?
I've had two B GTs (68 & 72) and two Midgets (72 & 74). For some reason I hanker after the Midgets, but I couldn't tell you why. They fit like a glove and you feel "as one" with them, and the gearchange was really wonderful, very snick-snick.
The B is more grown-up, and probably more capable as a car to deal with modern traffic. The Midget is very tunable, the A series engine will take all manner of abuse and loves to be stretched. If you're used to the space in the BGT, you may find the midget a wee bit cramped, and there's only room for shopping behind the seats.
Depends really what your daily needs are.
The B is more grown-up, and probably more capable as a car to deal with modern traffic. The Midget is very tunable, the A series engine will take all manner of abuse and loves to be stretched. If you're used to the space in the BGT, you may find the midget a wee bit cramped, and there's only room for shopping behind the seats.
Depends really what your daily needs are.
My first MG was a 1500 Midget, had it for 2 years or so before moving up to a ‘B, as has been noted the B was more “grown up” despite being an older chrome bumper model. The Midget was certainly more cramped than the B but I can’t say I look back with any longing for the Midget, it just didn’t grab me.
Also had a late model GT for ten years, it was an odd feeling driving it after the chrome bumper B. It should have felt very similar but didn’t, wasn’t really fussed about the interior nor the colour vermillion! Despite owning the GT for ten years, can’t really say it grabbed me either!
But the chrome bumpered B I bought after the Midget must have had something about it as I’ve still got it, will be thirty years of ownership in September so I guess it grabbed me!
I suppose the bottom line to all this is try each model and see which one grabs you.
As an aside I also drove a Spitfire and also found it primitive compared to the MG’s and not as solid but it may have been a bad example.
HTH
SAXX
Also had a late model GT for ten years, it was an odd feeling driving it after the chrome bumper B. It should have felt very similar but didn’t, wasn’t really fussed about the interior nor the colour vermillion! Despite owning the GT for ten years, can’t really say it grabbed me either!
But the chrome bumpered B I bought after the Midget must have had something about it as I’ve still got it, will be thirty years of ownership in September so I guess it grabbed me!
I suppose the bottom line to all this is try each model and see which one grabs you.
As an aside I also drove a Spitfire and also found it primitive compared to the MG’s and not as solid but it may have been a bad example.
HTH
SAXX
A bit of background to validate my views, opinions and later advice to you
my first "classic" I got around 1990
(classic means popular therefore overpriced old car, the more popular or sought after the more overpriced)
was a (c/b) BGT very closely joined by an A-series (c/b) Spridget as I quickly realised I wanted a soft top, the BGT was replaced a couple of years later by a (r/b) V8 (conversion) B roadster still keeping the Spridget
after these I had various cars including a Zetec engined, and two RV8 engined Westfields all brand new factory built, new Mk2 MX5, almost new Rover Mini Cooper, Suzuki Cappuccino (Spridget of the 1990s), two RV8 engined TVRs, almost new Honda S2000
then having got bored of modern cars I went back to “classics”, a Rover P6 (manual V8) and a Triumph GT6 I’d sooner forget about
finishing with my current car of the last five years an A-Series (c/b) Spridget (1973, but pay road tax, 1275 Midget) – I think you can guess which car I’d recommend for fun
a couple of recent 1275 Spidget PH owners on here also have TVRs and rate their Spridgets above them for fun and smiles
my Spridget on PH runs with the likes of Porsches, BMWs, Nobles, Caterhams, ect. is always complemented for its pace and cornering ability and my 1275 A-Series engine is only just off standard
there are a few engine conversions forums for owners on the MG BBS but I think if you drive a good well serviced, maintained and repaired A-Series engined car that is driven regularly you might find it’s way better than the usual infrequently driven and properly serviced “classic” that you often find for sale or like that Spit 1500 you tried – worst thing about most “classics” is the previous and present owners
my advice is the same for any potential “classic” owner, first buy the Driver’s Handbook for the model and read it as then you’ll know more about the car and its full servicing requirements than most, even long term, owners – http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue...
then test drive or at least passenger in some very good mechanical examples (good looks can be deceptive) well out of your buying budget to see just how well the model should/could go and that perhaps you need to incease your buying and servicing budget (mind parts are very cheap for these cars, “classic” parts are sometimes too cheap and sh*t quality)
more advice (or evidence) can be given but as there so little activity in the PH MG forum going back only a page or two you’ll find loads of info
ETA: I forgot to check hyperlink, now working
my first "classic" I got around 1990
(classic means popular therefore overpriced old car, the more popular or sought after the more overpriced)
was a (c/b) BGT very closely joined by an A-series (c/b) Spridget as I quickly realised I wanted a soft top, the BGT was replaced a couple of years later by a (r/b) V8 (conversion) B roadster still keeping the Spridget
after these I had various cars including a Zetec engined, and two RV8 engined Westfields all brand new factory built, new Mk2 MX5, almost new Rover Mini Cooper, Suzuki Cappuccino (Spridget of the 1990s), two RV8 engined TVRs, almost new Honda S2000
then having got bored of modern cars I went back to “classics”, a Rover P6 (manual V8) and a Triumph GT6 I’d sooner forget about
finishing with my current car of the last five years an A-Series (c/b) Spridget (1973, but pay road tax, 1275 Midget) – I think you can guess which car I’d recommend for fun
a couple of recent 1275 Spidget PH owners on here also have TVRs and rate their Spridgets above them for fun and smiles
my Spridget on PH runs with the likes of Porsches, BMWs, Nobles, Caterhams, ect. is always complemented for its pace and cornering ability and my 1275 A-Series engine is only just off standard
there are a few engine conversions forums for owners on the MG BBS but I think if you drive a good well serviced, maintained and repaired A-Series engined car that is driven regularly you might find it’s way better than the usual infrequently driven and properly serviced “classic” that you often find for sale or like that Spit 1500 you tried – worst thing about most “classics” is the previous and present owners
my advice is the same for any potential “classic” owner, first buy the Driver’s Handbook for the model and read it as then you’ll know more about the car and its full servicing requirements than most, even long term, owners – http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue...
then test drive or at least passenger in some very good mechanical examples (good looks can be deceptive) well out of your buying budget to see just how well the model should/could go and that perhaps you need to incease your buying and servicing budget (mind parts are very cheap for these cars, “classic” parts are sometimes too cheap and sh*t quality)
more advice (or evidence) can be given but as there so little activity in the PH MG forum going back only a page or two you’ll find loads of info
- usual thing buy on bodywork condition
- if you buy a cheap car that probably exactly what you’ll get
- possibly paying more at the start will be less expensive in the short, medium and long run
- if you want to drive the car regularly (which you need to with “classics”) *remember all that’s shiney may not go actually go well – go car or show car rarely both to any great extent
- buyers market, lots very average and below average cars and the average isn’t very high
- regularly maintain and drive it
ETA: I forgot to check hyperlink, now working
Edited by na on Tuesday 24th July 01:34
I had an early spridget for a few years as well and the main thing I can remember was how small it was. Think Lotus Elan sizing, not a lot of room in the cockpit and everything close at hand, in fact the Elan might be more spacious ? A very similar feel to the gearchange which makes driving fun, in fact the only thing I never liked was the lever arm dampers and cart springs - but that's a period feature on lots of cars from that era.
So very easy to drive and place on the road, they feel faster than they are in practice and a mechanically good one will be great fun and very cheap to maintain. As the others say, the MGB is a different car, more of a tourer IMO although these days it's still small compared with most moderns.
If you were using it daily in traffic, normally take a passenger along or want to use it for shopping, etc, then I think the MGB is more likely. For weekend motoring, maybe a touch of sporting driving, then personally the spridget would work for me. But as always, try before you buy, you might not take to the cramped interior.
Brian
So very easy to drive and place on the road, they feel faster than they are in practice and a mechanically good one will be great fun and very cheap to maintain. As the others say, the MGB is a different car, more of a tourer IMO although these days it's still small compared with most moderns.
If you were using it daily in traffic, normally take a passenger along or want to use it for shopping, etc, then I think the MGB is more likely. For weekend motoring, maybe a touch of sporting driving, then personally the spridget would work for me. But as always, try before you buy, you might not take to the cramped interior.
Brian
I have an MGB that I have restored over the last 4 years, still love it, great driving car. Keeps pace with modern traffic, the midget I have found to be small compared to everything else on the road, even a Nissan Micra.
I also have an S2 TVR, which needs a bit of work,feels more of a cruiser, but the MGB is the car for driving enjoyment IMHO, until the TVR has been sorted it may feel different.
I also have an S2 TVR, which needs a bit of work,feels more of a cruiser, but the MGB is the car for driving enjoyment IMHO, until the TVR has been sorted it may feel different.
MC Bodge said:
Thanks for that very comprehensive post.
not even one of my long posts 
I've loads of info (and opioins) all from experience (and lot wasn't good so cheaper for others to learn by my mistakes)
yes Spridgets are small that's the fun, to fit them you do need to be young, slim and athletic like me (yeah right)
I followed a B roadster Sunday and thought how small that now seemed - but not as small (light and agile) as a Spridget
quite right you do need to try (good mechanical) examples of each model to see which suits you
as said hapy hunting but get the Driver's Handbook before looking as it'll be agreat investment and you can sell it on if you buy a different model - there are a very surprising number of differences over the yaers aon Spridgets and Bs
good point about O/D - early g/boxes on B and most Spridgets (not Midget 1500) lack synchro on 1st and later B g/boxes at least (I can't remember on earlier Bs) have quite a gap in ratio between 2nd and 3rd and 3rdO/D is equivalent to 4thnonO/D so duplicate gearing
TBH unless you want a car to do up I'd shy away from a car with a non-working overdrive because they are normilly easy (if awkward for lever wiring) to repair so if the owner hasn't bothered he might not have looked after the car well or it's a serious problem
always a debate of how to best engage and disengage the O/D in use too
some Spridgets have have had 5 speed conversions or can be added later if required
TBH unless you want a car to do up I'd shy away from a car with a non-working overdrive because they are normilly easy (if awkward for lever wiring) to repair so if the owner hasn't bothered he might not have looked after the car well or it's a serious problem
always a debate of how to best engage and disengage the O/D in use too
some Spridgets have have had 5 speed conversions or can be added later if required
If you are planning any journeys of more than 10 miles on an A road the "Angry Bee" can become tiresome with out O/D (great round the lanes though) I have the big bore on the MGB and its very pleasant to flick into O/D to calm the mood at 50mph or so, in 4th or to cruise through a village in 3rd @ 30mph then flick out @ the NSL sign. ( thinks about that and smiles to ones self )
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