MG Midget?

[skellyjohn]

I had my S1 111s for 5 years but sold it not long after my daughter was born. SWMBO then let me get a 911(964) as it had 2 tiny back seats but it wasn't anywhere near as much fun as the Elise.

So I sold that and our car pool currently stands at a boring Golf and a not quite as boring JCW Cooper S.

But with summer coming, I fancy adding a silly wee sports car and have started looking at MG Midgets. Are they crap or are they ok for the odd run up the hills on a Sunday?

I used to own umpteen old minis before the Elise and thought they'd be similar?

[pete]

Pal has a Mk2 sprite which is the same car but much cheaper. Apparently.

When I was at uni mate had an Orange Midget, 1380cc, fibreglass flip front. Could be heard four counties away awesome.

[robin]

I wouldn't drive one on the road (let alone a hill or track) without a proper roll over bar fitted. Remember the age of the car pre-dates this sort of mandatory safety feature, and decapitation is a likely outcome of rolling one, unless you are very short. My brother rolled his whilst stationary at the traffic lights - he was hit by another car, low speed accident, but enough to flip it up - incredibly it landed on the door and rotated rather than rolling over, but that was 1000:1 shot I think.

Also the original A-series engine (assuming that's what it is) is really going to bore you unless you like a lot of noise and no action.

It's just as well the engine is sh*t, though, because the brakes are worse

There were people putting K series engines in them - out of the frying pan, into the fire

In short, I wouldn't bother!

Cheers,
Robin

[renmure]

I bought a fairly mint Midget about 10 years ago. Think it was a 1972 L reg and it had the wire wheels and chrome bumpers.

Buying it was such a bad decision that I had almost forgotten about it.

I kept it for the summer and then sold it back to the specialist I bought it from at a fair loss of cash. I hated it. Think I actually felt really vulnerable in it. Not sure that it was any single thing that I hated more than any other but it really was a wretched thing to drive. On the other hand.... only warm memories of my 3 Fiat X1/9s

[robin]

Funny, my brother went on to buy an X19 after the midget was trashed Much better car, though of course all rusted and rotten now.

[renmure]

I loved the X1/9s. Funny thing was that you felt like you were going soooooo fast... unless there were other cars on the road or if you looked at the speedo

I had the last one, a 1500cc Grand Finale Edition, at the same time as an early K-Series S2 Elise. Unfortunately the Fiat didn't show too well in that company although the lift-out roof was the ultimate in simplicity. I sold it to someone fairly local and still see it on the road in the summer.

[woody]

I wouldn't drive one on the road (let alone a hill or track) without a proper roll over bar fitted. Remember the age of the car pre-dates this sort of mandatory safety feature, and decapitation is a likely outcome of rolling one, unless you are very short. My brother rolled his whilst stationary at the traffic lights - he was hit by another car, low speed accident, but enough to flip it up - incredibly it landed on the door and rotated rather than rolling over, but that was 1000:1 shot I think.

Also the original A-series engine (assuming that's what it is) is really going to bore you unless you like a lot of noise and no action.

It's just as well the engine is sh*t, though, because the brakes are worse

There were people putting K series engines in them - out of the frying pan, into the fire

In short, I wouldn't bother!

Cheers,
Robin

Now you've done it! I did mention at the weekend we're overdue a 'why I love the BMC A series engine' thread. Tomorrow at some point, maybe.

If I was driving a midget, I think there would be more pressing safety concerns than the lack of roll hoop, like everything else about it.

[skellyjohn]

Well that's put that idea to bed then

Thanks as always for the help.

[douglasgdmw]

How about an early Mk1 Mazda MX-5?

I know it's not the same age and classic status as a Midget but as a modern equivalent it possibly hard to fault if you find a good one?

George

[rossybee]

Or on a similar note but something more unusual

[Dominic]

Wrong wheel drive?

[skellyjohn]

Yeah the lh drive put me off the Fiat. And I've always thought it looks like a car that goes in water.

Im just being a snob about an MX5. I know its a perfect, fun, cheap run around.... but I've spent the last 20 years saying its a hairdressers car

[rossybee]

I think Dom is referring to it being front driven

Got a point too....


...Barchetta actually means "little boat" so maybe the styling reflects that

I'll shut up

[douglasgdmw]

Im just being a snob about an MX5. I know its a perfect, fun, cheap run around.... but I've spent the last 20 years saying its a hairdressers car

You will definitelty veto an MG-F then.

Looking at the options the only other I can suggest are (some are truly awful):
Reliant Scimtar: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/ ... t/scimitar
Toyota MR-2 T-Bar
Honda CR-X
Triumph TR-7: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/ ... 82/1316834
VW Golf Clipper (maybe be too hairdresser also)
Triumph Spitfire

George

[Dominic]

I think Dom is referring to it being front driven

Got a point too....


...Barchetta actually means "little boat" so maybe the styling reflects that

I'll shut up

Indeed. IIRC was it not based on a Fiat hatchback? Tipo or similar?