Advice needed MG convertible Midget Special

Mo_Gearhead · 03-10-2009, 06:33 AM

Listed in auction flyer as; 1978 MG convertible Midget Special

Pictures show it under a shed, hopefully it was covered with a tarp or some form of protection. I am assuming its non-running and has been sitting for ??? years.
Tires seem to be up/inflated. Top? Who knows ...perhaps gone?

Poor photos from auctioneers web page;

I have no knowledge/experience with these cars whatsoever.

Anyone want to submit ideas what to look for? What it may be worth as it now sits?

(Not going out of my way just for the car, I will be at the auction for other items.)

Thanks in advance for any input.

Rot 911 · 03-10-2009, 06:37 AM

Not a huge following for the rubber bumper midgets. Just too much crap added to them over the years. All anyone really wants out of them is the 1500 engine and transmission to use in the early Bugeye Sprites and Midgets. That car is not even worth buying to part out. Oh and the only thing "Special" added to the car is the side stripes.

stomachmonkey · 03-10-2009, 06:52 AM

Dear lord run man.

mb911 · mb911's Garage

I remember my dad buying these cars and "restoring" them when they were just a couple of years old. he would braze in new panels and they would be rusting and bubbling within a year and my dad was/is a clean freak and would never drive it in rain or salt. I also remember my mom and I going to the grocery store in the 70's and 80's and in her midget and I having to push start the car from time to time because the lucas gods were unhappy

grudk · 03-10-2009, 07:21 AM

I think it would make an excellent artificial reef if you drop it a few hundred yards offshore.

Mo_Gearhead · 03-10-2009, 08:28 AM

Hummm ...wax job and flip it to a local Shriner?

No??

*sigh*

Tishabet · 03-10-2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt V

Not a huge following for the rubber bumper midgets

+1, the early ones are much cooler and more collectible. I'd still rather own a bugeye by a wide margin.

dbrisson · 03-10-2009, 03:21 PM

Almost every part is available mail order, repo stuff is cheaper if making a driver. I redid 2 an older chrome bumper midget, and chrome bumper B. Midgets are tight inside and kina goofy to drive, I prefer Bs.

There is a cult following though.

on2wheels52 · on2wheels52's Garage

I was a gas station mechanic in that era, I saw new MG's and Triumph's (the wedgy one) pretty much fall apart before my eyes (we didn't work on them, just sold them gas).
Jim

typ550 · 03-10-2009, 04:36 PM

As a long-time MG owner and having done one complete body-off restoration, I have no qualms saying RUN, don't just walk away from that one!

fintstone · fintstone's Garage

Big rust problem in those...after just a couple of years. You can buy a nicely restored MGB for a pretty reasonable price. Don't even think about that one...even if it is practically free.

941MXVET · 03-10-2009, 07:36 PM

Never had a Midget, a MGB yes, but a Midget, no. Even on it's best days I fought the electrical deamons which posessed that car! The worst part, I chose that over a 914!!! AAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!

tchanson · 03-10-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fintstone

You can buy a nicely restored MGB for a pretty reasonable price. Don't even think about that one...even if it is practically free.

A late '70's rubber bumper Midget is a car that has virtually no value in that condition. None. A money pit awaits.

Get a chrome bumper B.

My first car, before it was sold to finance a 914 many years ago:

I still miss it.

Tim

DARISC · 03-10-2009, 08:57 PM

Find a nice bug-eye Sprite. The MG Midgets are bad abortions. If you want an MG, don't buy a NARMG, buy a real one like tchanson's. I had the last year chrome bumper MGB GT - very entertaining car.

pwd72s · 03-10-2009, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by typ550

As a long-time MG owner and having done one complete body-off restoration, I have no qualms saying RUN, don't just walk away from that one!

C'Mon, Chris...just one more time...post a pic of a REAL MG!

DARISC · 03-10-2009, 10:09 PM

Though with different wheels and sans the cool driving lights, this was (same color) my "real" MG.

poorsche930 · 03-11-2009, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DARISC

Though with different wheels and sans the cool driving lights, this was (same color) my "real" MG.

I"VE ALWAYS WANTED A CHROME BUMPER GT!!!! I actually was just going to post up a pic. NIIIIIIIICE.

dbrisson · 03-11-2009, 07:35 AM

The last one I built, drove for awhile then sold. Would love to do another.

mike monde · 03-11-2009, 08:02 AM

0wned a 1972 MGB in college. Had to learn how to work on it real fast. Fun car to sport around in but would have rather had the Sunbean Tiger. Could of picked one up back in 80' for a few dollars more then what I paid for the MGB.
The MGB was fun, just remember it rusting before my eyes and always needing to "adjust" something to get it to run.

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by grudk

I think it would make an excellent artificial reef if you drop it a few hundred yards offshore.

Hah, that's the quote of the week, as far as I'm concerned.