Faults:

Nothing since the partial rebuild work.

General Comments:

I bought this car as a non runner, sight unseen for a very low price assuming it would need to be restored. It did require spring hangers and floor repairs, but structurally that was it. I rewired the engine bay upgrading everything I could whilst keeping it eligible for the MG Challenge Group C (standard).

That means it has K&N air filters, a free flow exhaust, richer needles, electric fan & thermostat, and an alternator conversion. I also rewired the engine bay using a modern, bladed fuse box for reliability and new cabling, new starter, electronic ignition distributor and a new fuel tank sender.

I also fitted new bearings in the prop shaft UJs and fitted new 5 inch Minilite wheels with Yokohama Blue Earth 165 x 70 tyres. For comfort I re-trimmed the cockpit using a pair of MGF leather seats.

So what I now have is a car that cost about £3500, has slightly unsightly (but not rusty) external panels, a solid core and near perfect mechanicals. It drives nicely, feels tight and together as they say and can still be entered for motorsport events as a standard car.

I couldn't afford to increase the power significantly because to go much further involves great expense on uprated brakes and suspension, and I don't believe I need to because a mildly tuned Spridget is the perfect British Sports car. Enough power to have fun, but not enough to get you into trouble.

Faults:

Things that have gone wrong are really just a reflection of the cars age. I have replaced brake hoses, steering rack boots and cooling system hoses. The car has pretty low miles for it's age so nothing mechanical worn out.

I had some trouble with the SU carbs, it was impossible to keep the mixture adjusted, I looked through the cars records and saw that the previous owner had paid to have them set up 3 times in only 1100 miles. I took them off and rebuilt them. While rebuilding them I could see that they had been apart before and someone had left a few pieces out and some assembled wrong.

I set them up according to the manual and wow, she purrs like a kitten. Crisp and smooth acceleration.

General Comments:

Great little car! A lot like a go cart. Lots of fun to drive on the windy roads. Parts are easy to find and not too expensive.

I wish it had a little more power, so I'm going to work on that.

In regards to the SU carbs, I'd recommend to anyone who is having trouble with them that they find a competent mechanic who understands how they work to rebuild them and set them up. They are one of the simplest carbs I've seen, not much to go wrong with them.

Faults:

Nothing major post restoration by the previous owner.

Rotor arms have shorted out.

General Comments:

I am enjoying my second 1275 cc Midget - both the later Mk III models with the aesthetically pleasing chrome bumpers and round rear wheel arches. The first was not restored and I owned it for a couple of years in the late 80's. It was my only car and didn't let me down too often, but... the release bearing on the clutch gave up and I had to have the front suspension rebuilt after king pin wear caused an MOT failure (statutory annual road worthiness test). I finally said goodbye after I broke first gear due to an undetected oil leak. However, I was not cured of my fondness for the Midget as I resolved to try again...

My second and current car has been extensively restored by the previous owner. I've finished off some of the work (unleaded conversion, new hood) and more could be done, but the point is, it's a blast! I use it for limited mileage connected with my work and it is my "antidote to people movers" - we have four offspring, so my "real" car is a Toyota Picnic! The Midget was cheap to buy and will hold its value, was registered pre-1973 and is therefore tax exempt in the UK, parts, especially through the excellent owners club, are cheap (more so than an MGB) and plentiful and even some motoring journalists in the UK agree that they are just fun to drive.

Don't get one to rely upon unless you have lots of time and enjoy tinkering or have a cheap and friendly local who knows about SU carburettors, points and other "old fashioned" bits and bobs. I'm just going to see how long I can keep mine!