MG Midget 1500

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The last in the line of MG Midgets actually started life as a re-badged Austin-Healey Sprite.

A development of the famous ‘Frogeye’, the MG used the Sprite's unitary body with double wishbone suspension at the front and the semi elliptic rear springs that coincided with the introduction of the Austin-Healey Sprite MkII. As time went on, improvements such as winding windows and engine capacity increases from 948cc, through 1098 cc to the 1275cc A series engine from the Mini Cooper “S” were introduced. By the time the MG Midget Mk III was launched in 1966 with a proper folding hood, the car had evolved significantly.

The Mk IV of 1970 was largely similar to the Mk III until 1974 when major revisions were undertaken, the model being referred to from then on as the MG 1500. The 1,493 cc OHC engine and gearbox from the Triumph Spitfire were installed, boosting power to a useful 66bhp, dramatically improving performance. At the same time the cars were fitted with rubber bumpers to comply with the US safety legislation along with a host of other updates to the original design.

This eye-catching 1980 model comes from the final year of production. Purchased by the vendor from a good friend in 2012, he has continued to improve the car which was already in excellent condition when acquired. Reputedly owned for a ten year period by the wife of a well know Cardiff Opera singer, it has clearly had a great deal of attention lavished on it over the years.

The vendor felt that the paintwork was a bit dull, so entrusted the Davis Motor Company to give it a full respray. The Minilite style wheels were refurbished and shod with four new Dunlop tyres. The fuel lines were replaced along with the distributor and coil.

Spax shock absorbers are fitted at the rear, with copper brake pipes and an oil cooler also in evidence. The engine has an Oselli rocker box cover and the carburettors have been overhauled. The spare wheel (a Rostyle) has a new tyre and new carpets were sourced through the MGOC. The vendor describes the hood and hood cover as in good condition.

Complete with a handbook and an MOT until September 2015, this well presented example looks very smart, with a nicely detailed engine bay and is ready for its next owner to enjoy.