1978 MG Midget 1500 review from UK and Ireland

Probably easier to list what didn't go wrong. This one had been professionally bodged by an alleged restoration company "Enigma Restorations" in Lancashire. Repairs included a rolled up copy of the Sun (Newspaper) in one A pillar and lots of filler with iron filings (so you can't tell that it's filler with a magnet).

Knew the 1500 engine well since I had a couple of Triumphs. Engine is no problem as long as the radiator and water pump are clean and working. This one also had an oil cooler.

The only problem with the engine was blowing a piston ring at 80,000 miles - a fairly common problem and not that difficult to fix. It always got me home which is more than I can say for my Golf!

Did a lot of welding underneath including floor pan and an inner sill.

Replaced the front dampers for uprated ones and a thicker anti-roll bar. This improved matteres drastically. Also lowered the suspension by 1/2 inch. It already had telescopic shock on the rear and I put slightly larger tyres on.

Also replaced all the flexible brake lines and one cylinder.

The hood leaked as did the drivers footwell until I welded up the hole under the front wing!

Replaced most of the small suspension parts including bushes and bearings.

It was good fun and actually not too unreliable really. Never had too many problems getting it through the MOT.

It went quite well with some K&N filters and a gas flowed exhaust & manifold plus the suspension mods.

Could frighten an XR3 up to 40 mph, but a bit low geared for the motorway really.

It was good fun at the time, but I wouldn't want to do it again.

You have to bear in mind that it was built at a time when BL employees spent more time holding placards outside the gates than they did building cars. I now have an MX5 which is utterly reliable.