MG Midget advice please.
Discussion
YES!
If you can wait a month or so... buy mine! (really)
However there should be a few buyers guides on the web - try searching for ‘Midget Register’, but here are some of my thoughts:
You looking for an A-series engined car, or a later Triumph 1500 engine? I only have experience of 1500’s, but below are common to both types I believe.
The main thing to look for is rust, ‘cos they do - front of bonnet, bottom of front wings, bottom of A-pillar, sills, bottom of doors, rear wings, front leaf spring hangers, boot floor sides. You can get some particularly nasty bodged repairs on the A-pillars.
Mechanically most bits are simple and cheap. Watch out for play and movement in the front suspension (need to
jack the car up) - it’s a bit of a poor design, and only seems to last a few years between rebuilds even if maintained, much less if not looked after (budget a good couple hundred quid if not DIY). Front dampers also go - the reconditioned ones people fit are usually poor, as a lot have been recon’ed a few times.
I have also got through a few rear diffs - they leak oil from the front pinion oil seal, then go noisy (doh).
Also check the wipers work well and the spindles are good, and that the side window wind up and down OK - I
have just had to rebuild both on mine and there are complete bitches to do.
A-series engines/boxes I know little about - they just seem to soldier on (no syncro on 1st, so don’t think the box is knackered).
The Triumph engine I reckon is under rated. They *can* eat main bearings, which can often cause a rod through
the block if ignored, but with regular oil changes and an oil cooler my 1500 has lasted perfectly well. You also get a good (but not as close ratio) gearbox with syncro on all gears.
The 1500 also doesn’t handle as nicely ’out of the box’, but a few cheap mods means it will hold it’s own against the ealier cars. They don’t look as nice, but the big rubber bumpers hold up better if touch parking is common where the car frequents (a mate ran into the back of a Meastro and wrote it off - just one small crease in the bonnet of his Midget).
Don’t let any the above put you off - find a good one (or spend a bit on a bad one) and they are fun little cars - fine hamdling and feel faster than they are. If you do fancy a bit of DIY they are ideal, so long as you don’t have big hands like I do!
That turned into an epic, but anything else, don’t hesitate to ask (especially if you want details of my well modified 1500 soon for sale
)
Cheers, Phil
If you can wait a month or so... buy mine! (really)
However there should be a few buyers guides on the web - try searching for ‘Midget Register’, but here are some of my thoughts:
You looking for an A-series engined car, or a later Triumph 1500 engine? I only have experience of 1500’s, but below are common to both types I believe.
The main thing to look for is rust, ‘cos they do - front of bonnet, bottom of front wings, bottom of A-pillar, sills, bottom of doors, rear wings, front leaf spring hangers, boot floor sides. You can get some particularly nasty bodged repairs on the A-pillars.
Mechanically most bits are simple and cheap. Watch out for play and movement in the front suspension (need to
jack the car up) - it’s a bit of a poor design, and only seems to last a few years between rebuilds even if maintained, much less if not looked after (budget a good couple hundred quid if not DIY). Front dampers also go - the reconditioned ones people fit are usually poor, as a lot have been recon’ed a few times.
I have also got through a few rear diffs - they leak oil from the front pinion oil seal, then go noisy (doh).
Also check the wipers work well and the spindles are good, and that the side window wind up and down OK - I
have just had to rebuild both on mine and there are complete bitches to do.
A-series engines/boxes I know little about - they just seem to soldier on (no syncro on 1st, so don’t think the box is knackered).
The Triumph engine I reckon is under rated. They *can* eat main bearings, which can often cause a rod through
the block if ignored, but with regular oil changes and an oil cooler my 1500 has lasted perfectly well. You also get a good (but not as close ratio) gearbox with syncro on all gears.
The 1500 also doesn’t handle as nicely ’out of the box’, but a few cheap mods means it will hold it’s own against the ealier cars. They don’t look as nice, but the big rubber bumpers hold up better if touch parking is common where the car frequents (a mate ran into the back of a Meastro and wrote it off - just one small crease in the bonnet of his Midget).
Don’t let any the above put you off - find a good one (or spend a bit on a bad one) and they are fun little cars - fine hamdling and feel faster than they are. If you do fancy a bit of DIY they are ideal, so long as you don’t have big hands like I do!
That turned into an epic, but anything else, don’t hesitate to ask (especially if you want details of my well modified 1500 soon for sale
) Cheers, Phil
Ok your fist call (as I did) would be to call the MGOC and ask for Technical Advice 01954 231125.
If you find a car you like then get an expert in to look at the car. The owners club will tell you who to trust.
I found a 1275 cc chrome bumper car for £2250 that was very good.
A good question in how log they have owned the car. Also if it was respired last week I would steer clear.
Why would to restore a car to sell it, there is no money in it.
They are good fun cheap to own cars it is just the body work that will cost you an arm and leg to put right......
PS try one with a K series engine from front line
If you find a car you like then get an expert in to look at the car. The owners club will tell you who to trust.
I found a 1275 cc chrome bumper car for £2250 that was very good.
A good question in how log they have owned the car. Also if it was respired last week I would steer clear.
Why would to restore a car to sell it, there is no money in it.
They are good fun cheap to own cars it is just the body work that will cost you an arm and leg to put right......
PS try one with a K series engine from front line
Hadn't really decided on a price (just finshing couple of bits and bobs) but thinking ask £4k (maybe take less ) 'cos I am not convinced I want ot sell it 
It's a '79 1500, but quite a high spec: >100bhp Pete Burgess engine, modified suspension & brakes, photo'ed body resto a few years ago, alloys - that kind of thing.
Mail me if you want the full sales pitch.
Cheers, Phil
>> Edited by filmidget on Wednesday 26th March 08:58
) 'cos I am not convinced I want ot sell it It's a '79 1500, but quite a high spec: >100bhp Pete Burgess engine, modified suspension & brakes, photo'ed body resto a few years ago, alloys - that kind of thing.
Mail me if you want the full sales pitch.
Cheers, Phil
>> Edited by filmidget on Wednesday 26th March 08:58
Hi Corin,
I drive a 1967 MKII Midget (1275) - I've have had a few before and sorted of clocked a few common problems that you need to look for - most have been mentioned above (ie rust in lower doors, jacking points, sills) but unless you're capable of an engine out gearbox change yourself - I'd get some help in ascertaining the condition of the gearbox - in the 1098 & 1275, the gearbox being of mini descent was really not built to withstand years of hard driving. Replacement gearboxes are hard to find as are replacement gears...mostly now they are reconditioned for you as I have recently done...
Otherwise fantastic choice of car!! I love mine except when its being tempremental - last nights problem is a starter motor which seems stuck in the engaged position!! Should be a quick fix - oh the joys
Justine
I drive a 1967 MKII Midget (1275) - I've have had a few before and sorted of clocked a few common problems that you need to look for - most have been mentioned above (ie rust in lower doors, jacking points, sills) but unless you're capable of an engine out gearbox change yourself - I'd get some help in ascertaining the condition of the gearbox - in the 1098 & 1275, the gearbox being of mini descent was really not built to withstand years of hard driving. Replacement gearboxes are hard to find as are replacement gears...mostly now they are reconditioned for you as I have recently done...
Otherwise fantastic choice of car!! I love mine except when its being tempremental - last nights problem is a starter motor which seems stuck in the engaged position!! Should be a quick fix - oh the joys
Justine
tedebear said: Hi Corin,
last nights problem is a starter motor which seems stuck in the engaged position!! Should be a quick fix - oh the joys
Justine
Changing the starter motor is easy only if you have little girly hands!
A lot of A-series owners (relatively) seem to give up on the original gearbox and fit one of the 5 speed conversions. Not just an afternoons work though
Cheers, Phil
Yes - not pleasant but all sorted and certainly well tested on the West Sussex roads on the weekend - lovely day for it on Saturday!!! Lucky the new hood went on well on Saturday afternoon (not a plesant job though) for a quick spin on Sunday evening - wonderful.... Next job is the oil pressure guage which has just stopped entirely - very odd!!
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