Am I too young to be considering a midget?
Discussion
I'm toying with the idea of getting an 'everyday classic' sometime in the new year and wondered about a midget.
How do they stand up to everyday use?
Can someone give me an idea of their straightline performance - I know it's not going to be quick by modern standard (about 13 seconds to 60 IIRC?) Does the standard A-series provide enough power to drive them on the throttle, given period tyres?
I used to have an MX5, which was nice but always felt rather clinical and Japanese. Maybe a mildly tweaked Midget/Sprite would be the real thing...
How do they stand up to everyday use?
Can someone give me an idea of their straightline performance - I know it's not going to be quick by modern standard (about 13 seconds to 60 IIRC?) Does the standard A-series provide enough power to drive them on the throttle, given period tyres?
I used to have an MX5, which was nice but always felt rather clinical and Japanese. Maybe a mildly tweaked Midget/Sprite would be the real thing...
Chris71 said:
I'm toying with the idea of getting an 'everyday classic' sometime in the new year and wondered about a midget.
How do they stand up to everyday use?
Can someone give me an idea of their straightline performance - I know it's not going to be quick by modern standard (about 13 seconds to 60 IIRC?) Does the standard A-series provide enough power to drive them on the throttle, given period tyres?
I used to have an MX5, which was nice but always felt rather clinical and Japanese. Maybe a mildly tweaked Midget/Sprite would be the real thing...
Midget is a geat little fun car and feels quick enough.How do they stand up to everyday use?
Can someone give me an idea of their straightline performance - I know it's not going to be quick by modern standard (about 13 seconds to 60 IIRC?) Does the standard A-series provide enough power to drive them on the throttle, given period tyres?
I used to have an MX5, which was nice but always felt rather clinical and Japanese. Maybe a mildly tweaked Midget/Sprite would be the real thing...
I'd look very carefully at the Mk3 Spitfire, they shake and rattle a bit but have a lot more room than a midget and get one with overdrive and it will be fine on long runs where the midget will be hard work. Dont get a mk4 or 1500 spit as they are a naff looking BL device!
My mum's actually got a rather tired 1300 Spitire; I have toyed with the idea of restoring it and my dad was looking into one of the Spitfire Le Mans replicas (the body is pretty rotten). Not really for me though - my vehicle dynamics lecturer at uni was ex-triumph and some of the stories he had about the rear suspension on them were enough to put me off for good. The only other person I know who had one managed to roll it.
I'm not worried about outright speed (although a certain amount of overtaking pace might be nice) but something that can be driven enthusiastically would be good.
I'm not worried about outright speed (although a certain amount of overtaking pace might be nice) but something that can be driven enthusiastically would be good.
Chris71 said:
How do they stand up to everyday use?
I recently gone back to a Midget as an everyday classic after a few other classics because I was reminded how I raved about how good my first everyday Spridget was Chris71 said:
Can someone give me an idea of their straightline performance - I know it's not going to be quick by modern standard (about 13 seconds to 60 IIRC?)
Get real Chris you're not a kid you know figures mean very little in the real world - the Midget will keep up with modern trafficChris71 said:
Does the standard A-series provide enough power to drive them on the throttle, given period tyres?
What period tyres, if you mean standard profile tyres which have sidewalls to help with suspension then yes - if you mean tyres over tens years old but with "loads of tread" good luckChris71 said:
I used to have an MX5, which was nice but always felt rather clinical and Japanese. Maybe a mildly tweaked Midget/Sprite would be the real thing...
Mildly tweaked 
you bet it willIf you want to modernise it too much then what's the point of buying it
If you lived nearer you could have had a go in mine
PM me if you want more (biased) info
Lastly if you're really interested in the straightline perforamce figures then buy something else but if you want something that feels fast and fun get a Midget
Edited for spelling (as usual)
Edited by Sporting Bear on Tuesday 4th December 20:38
Got a 1500 midget myself(1975), Wildolivers right, the 1500 is an unfairly maligned machine (and an unfairly maligned engine too). Mines pretty far from standard now but theyre great fun either way. Before I took mine of the road to convert it to someting to compete in hillclimbs with (almost finished at last) i used it as my everyday car for a year. Did 15k with no probs. Just did some sensible servicing and replacment of perishables and it was fine. Just make sure you have an oil cooler if its a 1500, they really do make all the difference.
neil
neil
It's true to say I'm not that interested in performance figures for the sake of bragging rights; however even with a car that's fun at 40mph, becomes tedious when there is someone in front doing 30mph and you don't have the 'go' to overtake. I've never driven a midget so I really don't have the first clue about their pace.
To put this in context, the MX5 was a bit clinical and souless. In contrast, I currently own a Sylva Leader, which is fantastic to drive, but primarily intended as track car and as such it has no hood (at all), very little in the way of a windscreen and certainly nothing like a boot. It's great fun, but I wish I could drive it to work every day rather than just experiencing that sort of motoring on dry evenings and weekends. I wouldn't expect the midget to come anywhere close to a 220hp/ton racing car in terms of performance, but I'd love to capture that rather organic feeling of connection with the road and the elements that you don't seem to be able to get with a production car, whilst still being able to drive to park it outside the shops.
On a slightly different note - what differences are there between the Midget and the Sprite?
To put this in context, the MX5 was a bit clinical and souless. In contrast, I currently own a Sylva Leader, which is fantastic to drive, but primarily intended as track car and as such it has no hood (at all), very little in the way of a windscreen and certainly nothing like a boot. It's great fun, but I wish I could drive it to work every day rather than just experiencing that sort of motoring on dry evenings and weekends. I wouldn't expect the midget to come anywhere close to a 220hp/ton racing car in terms of performance, but I'd love to capture that rather organic feeling of connection with the road and the elements that you don't seem to be able to get with a production car, whilst still being able to drive to park it outside the shops.
On a slightly different note - what differences are there between the Midget and the Sprite?
To keep the answer short (apart from the original Austin Healey (Frogeye) Sprite (Mk1)):-
there are only cosmetic differences between the cars until after October 1969 when even these diffences dissappear then only differences are the badges
MGs badged the Midget, Austin Healey badged the Sprite (there are a very few Austin Sprites from January 1971)
So Sprites and Midgets are also known as Spridgets
I've got a couple of Lindsay Porter's GUIDE TO PURCHASE & D.I.Y. RESTORATION hardback books to give away (one in mint condition) for a small charity donation and postal cost
plus a mint (sellotape on top edge of spine only) Haynes
there are only cosmetic differences between the cars until after October 1969 when even these diffences dissappear then only differences are the badges
MGs badged the Midget, Austin Healey badged the Sprite (there are a very few Austin Sprites from January 1971)
So Sprites and Midgets are also known as Spridgets
I've got a couple of Lindsay Porter's GUIDE TO PURCHASE & D.I.Y. RESTORATION hardback books to give away (one in mint condition) for a small charity donation and postal cost
plus a mint (sellotape on top edge of spine only) Haynes
I bought a Midget about 2 years ago and I still cant wipe the smile of my face. Sure its by no means rapid and the brakes are a step in the dark ages but pound for pound its great fun.
I bought a 1275 version which has the same engine as the mini (A series) and I've done a few tweaks (RC40 backbox, K&N filter, LCB Manifold and an MG Metro head, this will give it a bit of an edge.
How far you would want to go? How deep are your pockets, there is a midget with a Rover V8 and 4WD out there!!!!
Have a look around on:
http://www2.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgb...
Its free to register and theres plenty of info in the archives. I found this site before buying and theres a lot of friendly help there too.
Hope this helps
Mark
I bought a 1275 version which has the same engine as the mini (A series) and I've done a few tweaks (RC40 backbox, K&N filter, LCB Manifold and an MG Metro head, this will give it a bit of an edge.
How far you would want to go? How deep are your pockets, there is a midget with a Rover V8 and 4WD out there!!!!
Have a look around on:
http://www2.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgb...
Its free to register and theres plenty of info in the archives. I found this site before buying and theres a lot of friendly help there too.
Hope this helps
Mark
i know its an old thread but ive just noticed it. i got a 1500 midge when i was 21 & kept it for 9 years. half of that time it was my only car. they are brilliant fun & the only time they feel slow is on motorways as by 70 they are revving a lot & you feel like your thrashing them.
i must have done 50k in mine & it had 3 breakdowns
blew the diff - my fault it was very sideways at the time
snapped a halfshaft - same corner same sideways as above but 12months later
petrol pipe snapped on the blukhead
i only sold mine to fun a classic bike & still miss it. but i knew i wouldnt use with bikes as the new toy so it made sense to sell.
i must have done 50k in mine & it had 3 breakdowns
blew the diff - my fault it was very sideways at the time
snapped a halfshaft - same corner same sideways as above but 12months later
petrol pipe snapped on the blukhead
i only sold mine to fun a classic bike & still miss it. but i knew i wouldnt use with bikes as the new toy so it made sense to sell.
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