MG Midget 1500 Competition Car

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The MG Midget harks back to 1958 and the genius of Donald Healey and his original Frogeye Sprite. The original concept sired the improved Austin Healey Sprite Mk2 and, with a bit of clever badge-engineering from BMC, the world gained the MG Midget and BMC another sports car buyer.

The unit-construction sports two-seater, was conceived as an Austin Healey, but the move to MG ensured serious sales. The Midget was initially powered by the BMC A-series 948cc engine, and featured twin-carburettors, a four-speed gearbox, rack-and-pinion steering and independent front suspension. It was good to drive, despite minimal power, and won lots of friends, thanks to a low price.

Throughout its life, the Midget was continuously upgraded, first with the fitment of the 1098cc A-Series engine, then disc brakes in 1962. For the Mk2 in 1964, wind-up windows were added, while the Mk3 ushered in the 1275cc A-Series engine.

The biggest change came in 1974 with the arrival of Triumph's 1500cc engine. The reason to use the once deadly rival company's power unit came down to it being easier to make compliant with US emissions regulations than the A-Series. Top speed went up a fraction, and the torque-happy Triumph unit changed the character of the car.

Visually, it was all change too, with the addition of black rubber impact bumpers and raised ride height. Despite that, the Midget remained a good seller through to its demise in 1979, notching up a very creditable 73,889 units.

First registered in March 1979, the MG Midget you see here was been comprehensively prepared for Hillclimbing and Sprinting during the mid-eighties. Equipped with a hardtop, a roll cage, Carelli bucket seats, safety harnesses and a fire extinguisher, it was used most recently for a series of 12 night rallies in 1992 before being laid up in a garage until late last year.

Refreshed with a full respray in Old English White during October 2014, and without the ugly and heavy rubber bumpers, the Midget is ready to take to the tracks once more with a freshly rebuilt engine and gearbox. MOT tested until late October 2015 and with just two owners since 1990, it is being offered here at no reserve and could prove a bargain ticket to a world of historic motorsport opportunities for the lucky winning bidder.