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MG Midget MkIII

MG Midget MkIII

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MG Midget MkIIIMG Midget MkIIIMG Midget MkIIIMG Midget MkIIIMG Midget MkIII
MG Midget MkIIIMG Midget MkIIIMG Midget MkIIIMG Midget MkIIIMG Midget MkIII
MG Midget MkIIIMG Midget MkIII
Lot number 33
Hammer value £7,800
Description MG Midget MkIII
Registration JUT 234L
Year 1972
Colour Aquamarine Blue
Engine size 1,275 cc
Chassis No. GAN5/ 116659G
Engine No. 112683

The MG Midget, spiritual successor to a whole generation of small sports cars from the famous Abingdon marque, came about because of the absorption of the Austin-Healey Motor Company into the BMC empire.

MG needed a stop gap to bolster sales before the MGB could be bought into production and so the recently launched Austin-Healey Sprite MkII was re-badged as an MG. Sold alongside the Austin-Healey Sprite, the new Midget was a better equipped de luxe version of the little Healey and was priced some £40 higher.

A great success from the outset, the Midget was gradually improved over the years, the MkIII version of 1966 gaining a larger 1,275cc engine in place of the old 1,098cc unit which produced 65bhp and was based on a detuned Cooper S engine, the rumour being that a full power 1,275 engine would have made it outperform the MGB!

The MkIII Midget on offer here was first registered in August 1972 and was recently treated to what is described by the vendor as a ‘nut and bolt’ restoration by the previous owner. It has covered less than 150 miles since the work was completed and remains in stunning condition today. On the day that it was photographed it shone so brightly that it caused havoc with the photographer’s camera settings!

Looking stunning in Aquamarine Blue, the bodyshell has been restored to a high standard and is complemented by a nicely retrimmed interior with dark blue seat covers and carpets and a period 13” Mountney sports steering wheel. In case of springtime showers the black vinyl sof top is in excellent condition and fits well. When lowered it stows away neatly into the original vinyl hood bag which is in excellent condition.

The engine bay is very clean, with all the components looking either recently refurbished or new. The only deviation from original specifications are the ITG foam filters, but they do improve performance and give a throaty roar to the 1,275cc A-series engine when revved. The boot area does not disappoint either, the careful repaint extending into this oft-forgotten area and the spare wheel being neatly stowed under a vinyl cover.

It comes with a file that details many of the components used in its recent restoration, including a set of four new Rostyle wheels from the MG Owners club in 2011, a wiring harness from V8 Conversions of Farnborough in 2010 and a new fuel tank from Fisher Services in 2010. Said to drive as good as it looks, it is MOTd until August 2015 and will certainly get its new owner noticed thanks to that eye-popping paintwork!

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