MG Midget 1500

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Launched in 1961 with a rather uninspiring 948cc A-Series engine, the MG Midget was constantly revised over the next two decades, going through MkI, II and III stages before finally becoming the MG Midget 1500 in 1974.

The main distinguishing features of this last model were Rostyle wheels, a more modern interior, a higher ride height and new rubber bumpers to improve crash performance for the all-important US market and to complement the changes made to its bigger brother, the MGB. To compensate for the car's added weight and to improve performance, a larger 1,491cc engine (borrowed from the Triumph Spitfire) became standard, giving the car a top speed just a whisker short of the magic ton.

Midget by name but far from it by nature, this nimble performer eventually disappeared from MG’s line-up in 1980, by which time a colossal 266,000 had been delivered, 20% of these in its final 1500 form.

This smart red 36-year-old example was first registered in September 1979 and has been in the same family ownership since it was just eight years old. Owned by the vendor’s mother for six years, she passed it to her son who has used and maintained it ever since. It retains its original handbook and there are two stamps in the service book, its care and maintenance over the years being otherwise detailed in a large file of bills and invoices.

Complete with a hood cover and tonneau, this well cared for car has proved extremely reliable over the years and has recently been fitted with a new exhaust. It is MOTd until Jun 2016.