The MG Midget was a small, 2-seat British sports car built from 1961-79. It began as a badge-engineered version of the Mk II Austin-Healey Sprite and differed in the level of trim provided. This ’63 edition was stored for more than 40 years, so the title and keys have long since disappeared. It’s accumulated a little sheet metal rust over time, not uncommon with these cars, and will need a complete restoration. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, this mini roadster is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $4,500. A nod goes to Rob Marks for bringing this tip our way.
Midgets were mechanically identical to their Austin-Healey counterparts, using a rear suspension with quarter-elliptic leaf springs and trailing arms. At first, a 948-cc engine was used but was upgraded later to 1098-cc with an output of 56 hp using twin SU carburetors. The latter should be the motor in the seller’s car. Unusual for the era, disc brakes were used up front beginning in 1962. The doors had no external handles or locks, and the windows were sliding side-screens. Mk I production lasted through 1964, resulting in 25,681 cars, many of which were exported to the U.S.
The seller acquired this ’63 Midget when the family of the previous owner liquidated his property. Having stored the car for some four decades, said owner became ill and his house and everything in it went up for sale. This car ended up with the seller who has chosen to resell it rather than fixing it up. The odometer reading is just over 38,000 miles which the seller believes is accurate. The floors are said to be rust-free, but there is a bit of corrosion in places like the rear quarter panels.
We assume the engine will have to be torn down and rebuilt after sitting for all this time. But the car looks complete, except for some broken/missing taillight lens. The interior is a mess, but some new upholstery, door panels, and carpeting may cure those ills. In top condition, these little cars were quite nimble. A friend of mine owned a ’66 Midget that he called his “Rollerskate”, and his stock roadster was capable of nearly 90 mph and got 21st Century gas mileage of about 30-35 mpg. Since all the paperwork on this car is long gone, only a Bill of Sale will be provided.
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