*** Interested parties should note, this vehicle was subject to a CAT C insurance claim in 06/2010 ***
Highlights
• Genuine 50,000 miles • Bare metal restoration • Exceptional condition throughout
BACKGROUND
MG started producing their ‘small’ sports car in 1961 and continued, with many improvements and versions through the years, until 1980.
The Mk3, produced between 1966 and 1974, used the 1275cc Cooper engine and, for a brief time in 1972, the square shaped rear wheel arches became round which, for many, are considered to be the most desirable Midget of them all.
The Mk3 Midget, with its meagre weight, and 65HP, was a great fun car to drive, and a very easy one to own.
There is extensive history from 2007 when the previous owner bought it. He enjoyed driving the car until an unfortunate accident in 2010, but having become very attached to the car and being an engineer, he bought the car from the insurers and set about putting everything right again.
New body panels were purchased and fitted as needed but this then led to the decision to rebuild the car from scratch, treating it to a complete bare metal respray, attending to all the rusted floor panels and any other he could find along the way.
The car was resprayed in the original option colour of Black Tulip.
The engine was removed and was stripped down to find it was in good condition, having been previously ported and polished, and so it was rebuilt adding a new water pump, braided steel hoses and an alternator. A stainless-steel exhaust system was added along with a Ford 5-speed synchromesh gearbox, which transforms the driving experience no end.
The carburettor was stripped and rebuilt, and the brakes and suspension were thoroughly overhauled during this time, and a set of 5x13” black Sprite wheels and black mirrors were added to finish things all off rather nicely.
The rebuild became a labour of love and took seven years, finally getting back out on the road again in 2017 looking a whole lot better for all the attention and work.
So impressive was his standard of work that the car featured in a six-page article in 2019 in a well-known Classic Car magazine.
The V5 shows several previous keepers, and the last MOT ran out in January 2021, but being over 40 years old, the car is now MOT and tax exempt.
The car comes with a mountain of receipts for all the work done and parts bought during the restoration and there is a stack of MOTs and Tax Discs that cover the previous owner’s years of ownership.
There is an owner’s handbook, a Haynes Manual and two sets of keys.
MG didn’t call its car the Midget for nothing and you do need to see if this sports car has enough room for you, although once in, there’s plenty of legroom under the dash.
The highly polished Midget tread plates invite you in and the wooden steering wheel and gear lever beckon you in even further. The fine blue interior and the unusual white dials on the car’s instruments are a very nice and welcome addition to the classic sports-car dashboard and overall, it does look a very inviting and pleasant place to be.
The seats and door cards are all in very fine condition, as are the carpets and the rest of the interior.
The highly polished Black Tulip paintwork really sets this car off nicely, especially with the black wheels and mirrors. All the panels fit perfectly and the chrome fittings and trim all shine very brightly. There is a small scratch on the driver’s side rear wheel arch and there is a small dent on the rear bumper.
The windscreen and surround are very nice and there is very little to find fault with as you look round the car, and the rear carrier with period picnic basket is another nice touch.
The wheels are all in good shape and have good tyres fitted, the headlights are clear and free from any cloudiness and the shut lines are all good with the car sitting nice and squarely on the tarmac.
Open the bonnet and that will give you a good idea of how mechanically sound this car is. Everything looks either brand new or cleaned and polished to a very high standard.
All the leads, hoses and electrics have obviously been very well sorted out and there are definitely no signs of any oil or fluid leaks anywhere.
Since the 70s and 80s the MG Midget has been the budget sports car of choice and first starter classic of many. Its low running costs and diminutive size make it the perfect car to drive into the world of classic motoring.
As a first classic, the Midget has few peers. A well-sorted example is an absolute blast to drive and 50mph feels like 150mph. The cars handle beautifully yet offer a compliant ride and are very easy to live with.
This well presented and renovated MG Midget in its stunning Black Tulip colour and with its round rear wheel arches is a very desirable car and will turn heads and raise a smile wherever it goes.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
Please see our FAQ's here and our Terms & Conditions here
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1973 MG Midget Mk 3
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