MG Midget 1972

Description:

Description from The Vendor:

I have owned this 1972 RWA 1275cc Midget since December 2008, bought from Mike Authers, the UK MG Midget Specialist. It was originally registered in Hampshire and sold from Wadham Stringers, the BL dealers at the time. The car has never been fully restored but has had quite a lot of work done to it over the years. Much of this was carried out by father and son garage owners who had the car for some years, and undertook a colour change sometime in the late 90’s, early 2000’s from its original white to British Racing Green.

There’s evidence that the Midget was rustproofed from new and as a consequence has had virtually no structural rust during its life, the floorpan being almost completely original and the only panel replacement being of external ones: front valence, front wings, bonnet, rear quarters, outer sills etc over the years. It has a very rigid and taut feel, unlike quite a lot of Midgets still on their original shells but which have had a lot of structural welding.

The heritage certificate indicates the car is still on its original engine, and from the original speedo reading (it had a change of speedometer a few years ago), back axle condition etc, we think the mileage is somewhere just over 100,000. The engine has had a new head gasket and rings but is otherwise original as far as we can tell, with factory compressions at the last time of measurement, good oil pressure hot and cold,  and I have never had to top up the oil or water between changes.

During my time, any maintenance jobs not done by myself were carried out by Fisher Services (MG Specialists) in SE London and Jim Avery, an ex-BMC mechanic in Dorset.

Key work done to the car over the last 14 years:

– rebuilt Midget 1275 needle roller gearbox (not the weaker Minor 1000 box which is often substituted in these cars)

– replacement OE clutch and thrust bearing

– reconditioned carbs

– halogen headlamp and alternator conversion

-123 electronic ignition system

– replacement diff (same ratio) from a lower mileage car as the original was getting noisy

– replacement leaf springs and reconditioned front dampers

– new seat foams

– all fluids service last year (axle, gearbox, coolant, engine oil, brake and clutch, chassis greasing)

– fully waxoyled and re-undersealed professionally a few years ago

The car has a very smart appearance with excellent interior and paintwork. The chrome is mainly original (as I prefer a slight patina to it and it is considerably better quality than the reproduction brightwork) but still polishes up nicely. The car drives really well, with a very smooth engine, gearchange, nicely balanced carbs and plenty of power.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed owning and maintaining FCG215K but am now looking to buy a slightly larger and more modern classic. I hope the new owner will enjoy this lovely Midget as much as I have done.