1972 MG Midget review from North America
"Excellent fun to cost ratio!!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
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.
Recommended reviews
| A cheap and cheerful 70's British classic to put a smile on your face |
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| Goes just like a rear wheel drive Cooper S, only topless |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 1972 |
| Year of manufacture | 1972 |
| First year of ownership | 2007 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2008 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.3 Manual |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 19000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 24000 miles |
| Previous car | Ford Contour |
| Date of Entry | 4th April, 2008 |