MG Midget

     

MG Midget MkI (1961-1964)

The first version was essentially a badge engineered version of the Austin-Healey Sprite MKII and retained the quarter elliptic sprung rear axle from the original Sprite. The engine was a 948 cc A-Series with twin SU carburetors producing 46 hp (34 kW) at 5500 rpm and 53 lbf·ft (72 Nm) at 3000 rpm. Brakes were drum all round. In 1963 the engine was increased to 1098 cc raising the output to 56 hp (42 kW) at 5500 rpm and 62 lbf·ft (84 Nm) at 3250 rpm and disc brakes replaced the drums at the front.

The doors had no external handles or locks and the windows were sliding Perspex side screens. A heater was an optional extra.

Production was 16,080 of the small engined version and 9601 of the 1098.

 

MG Midget MkII (1964-1966)

Externally the main changes were to the doors, which gained wind up windows, quarter lights and external handles, and the windscreen which got a new frame. The hood (US - top) though modified, continued to have a removable frame that had to be erected before the cover was put on. The rear springs were replaced by more conventional half elliptical types. The engine got better bearings allowing the power to be increased to 59 hp (44 kW) at 5750 rpm and torque to 65 lbf·ft (88 Nm) at 3500 rpm.

26,601 were made

MG Midget MkIII (1966-1974)

The engine now grew to 1275 cc using the development seen on the Mini Cooper S. Output was 65 hp (48 kW) at 6000 rpm and 72 lbf·ft (98 Nm) at 3000 rpm. However, this was a de-tuned version of the engine that was given to the Cooper S. The Midget retained the standard 12G940 cylinder head casting that was common to other BMC 1300 cars, whereas the Cooper S had a special head with an extra two bolts to fasten it to the cylinder block. The hood was now permanently attached to the car. There were minor changes to the body in 1969 with the sills painted black and a revised black grille. "Rostyle" wheels were standardised but wire spoked ones remained an option. The square shaped rear wheel arches became rounded in January 1972. Also in this year, a Triumph steering rack was fitted, giving a gearing that was somewhat lower than earlier Midgets. A second exhaust silencer was also added in 1972.

22,415 were made between 1966 and the 1969 face lift and a further 77,831 up to 1974.

 

MG Midget 1500 (1974-1980)

In order to meet US federal regulations, large black plastic bumpers (usually called rubber bumpers, despite not actually being rubber) were added to the front and rear and the ride height was increased. The A-Series engine was dropped to be replaced by the 1493 cc unit from the Triumph spitfire and a modified Morris Marina gearbox with synchromesh on all four gears. The round rear wheel arches were now square again to increase the body strength. The last car was made on December 7th 1979 after 73,899 of the last version had been made. There was no Austin-Healey Sprite equivalent. However there was a limited number of cars produced in 1980 of the MG Midget.

Articles courtesy of Wikipedia "the free encyclopedia"

 

 

Geoff's MG Midget

MG Midget 1275 cc (Approx) 1974 Colour – Red

I have owned the car since 1988, it was a present from my ex-wife. I got rid of the wife but kept the car.

Within six months of ownership a milk lorry revised into the front of the car and its backend finished up one foot from the windscreen, and I was in the car at the time! For the repair it required new wings, a new bonnet and headlights while it was being repaired I decided to have the door pillars and sills replaced and a full respray.

Over the years I have replaced the hood, had a complete new interior, and a new unleaded head this leads to another  episode.  The machinest was doing the final cut on the head and cut into the water jacket!  Panic stations, Chris Rodgers our trusty mechanic searched high and low for another head and found an unleaded head, but it was a stage 2 metro GT Head so I had it fitted. 

A couple of years ago a woman driver not really paying attention to the road didn't stop when I did and ran into the rear offside.  Everyone said it was a right off, including the insurance company. After much begging and forelock touching I had it repaired and they completed a superb job, I was really please to have it back on the road and saved from the MG rest home in the sky. 

In the last year I have added a 5 speed gearbox brake servo and a 123 electronic distributor.  The most important thing I have found with owning a MG is that it is great fun and you meet the nicest people!