HAVE YOUR SAY
Did you spend more on your classic in 2011 than the previous year?
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| MG Midget |
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Words: Chris Hope | Photos: Jackie Skelton MG’s humble baby sports car celebrates its 50th anniversary this year (ironically a year before big sister B has its half-century birthday bash). In our minds, it represents the perfect excuse to get better acquainted with this affordable lightweight roadster. Although these are small cars they always seem to have bags of character. They’re fun to drive, with peppy faster-than-it-feels performance and deviously fun tail-out possibilities. Midgets are also easy to work on as so many of its bits are borrowed from popular post-war saloons, such as the Morris Minor and Austin A35. It also means that parts supply isn’t a problem. For those new to the hobby, the Midget is the ultimate summer starter classic. For the already initiated it represents a reliable soft-top that can be used everyday. Beware though, not all Midgets are as well looked after as others, so it’s important to check each car thoroughly to ensure it’s been maintained (or restored) properly and to a professional level.
Values: Believe it or not, we spotted a freshly restored Midget being advertised for £9000 on the Car and Classic website (www.carandclassic.co.uk). If you’re not after perfection though, £4500 to £5500 will net you a tidy chrome bumper example. The 1500 models are less fancied due to the ‘rubber bumper’ effect, so for similar condition expect to pay £3000-3500. Restoration projects can be had from under a grand, though you should exercise extreme caution if you intend to buy a basket-case. MkIII Midgets, especially the later ones with rounded wheelarches (’72-’74), tend to be the most popular – they have the pokiest of the A-Series engines and slightly better parts support than the earlier examples – so you may need to pay a premium for one of these.
Factfile Clubs ● MG Owners Club. 01954 231125 Websites Midgetplace, www.gerull.nl/mg/index.htm Specialists Hall’s Garage, Lincolnshire Magazine MG Enthusiast. Look for our sister title on the shelves of most good newsagents on the third Friday of every month, priced £4.20
For your chance to win an MG Midget click here!
To read the rest of this buyers' guide see the July 2011 issue of Classic Car Mart - back issues available here . |
With its DIY-friendly running gear and traditional driving experience, the Midget makes the perfect starter classic. Here’s what you need to know about MG’s smallest sports car
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