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MG Midget - the dwarf among sports cars

Name: Austin-Healey Sprite 1960
Brand: Austin-Healey

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Created on October 11, 2018

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Bruno von Rotz

Archiv Tom Tjaarda (SD)

Archiv

Bruno von Rotz

Archiv Tom Tjaarda (SD)

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MG Midget (1964) - looks almost timeless from this perspective

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MG Midget (1964) - a small sports car for little money - this was the objective

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MG Midget (1964) - already recognizable by details

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MG Midget (1964) - cost CHF 7700 in 1964

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MG Midget (1964) - 60 hp is enough for sporty progress

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MG Midget (1964) - puts a smile on the driver's face

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MG Midget (1964) - spoked wheels were not standard back then

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MG Midget (1964) - loves the country road

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MG Midget (1964) - impressed with its good handling at the time

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MG Midget (1964) - quite comfortable, despite its sporty tautness

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MG Midget (1964) - public transport also has priority over the sporty MG

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MG Midget (1964) - the Midget did not get the curved windshield until 1964 as the Mk II

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MG Midget (1964) - it was already given a "grown-up" face when it appeared in the summer of 1961

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MG Midget (1964) - the car is only 1.35 meters wide

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MG Midget (1964) - how the BMC bosses envisioned a modern sports car

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MG Midget (1964) - the trunk lid provided direct access to the luggage

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MG Midget (1964) - the windshield provides only modest protection

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MG Midget (1964) - the rear was based on the MGB

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MG Midget (1964) - space for two and a surprising amount of luggage (320 liters of trunk space)

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MG Midget (1964) - short doors make entry a little more difficult, but with the roof open you can get in "from above"

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MG Midget (1964) - the Midget is easy to control with the retrofitted Moto-Lita steering wheel

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MG Midget (1964) - steering wheel and radio are of course not quite up to date

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MG Midget (1964) - complete instrumentation, even the oil pressure is displayed

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MG Midget (1964) - rear-view mirror mounted at two points

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MG Midget (1964) - longitudinally mounted four-cylinder engine with two SU carburetors

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MG Midget (1964) - from 1962 with 1.1 liter displacement

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MG Midget (1964) - the 1.1-liter engine produces around 60 hp

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MG Midget (1964) - robust engine technology

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MG Midget (1964) - "Midget" means "dwarf"

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MG Midget (1964) - the MG Octagon and the vehicle designation

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Innocenti 950 Ghia Spider (1960) - short but open

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Innocenti 950 - pretty convertible at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

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Innocenti 950 Sport (1961) - with hardtop, shown at the Turin Motor Show

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MG Midget (1961) - the engine with a displacement of 948 cm3 produces 46 hp

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MG Midget (1961) - Steering wheel and dashboard

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MG Midget (1962) - only the rev counter makes the cockpit look sporty

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MG Midget (1961) - still with plug-in windows, but with a usable trunk

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MG Midget (1962) - important trunk, because you can lock away important things here

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MG Midget (1962) - the little front-runner - from a sales brochure

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MG Midget Mk II (1964) - rare color photo together with the Minis of the Monte-Carlo Rally

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MG Midget Mk II (1965) - the ladies loved it

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MG Midget (1962) - the small Midget with extra charge for wheel disks - from the brochure

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MG Midget Mk II (1965) - for a relaxing trip for two, for example to the chalk cliffs of Dover

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MG Midget (1962) - the engine of the small sports car

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MG Midget Mk II (1964) - with 60 hp from a displacement of 1.1 liters

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MG Midget Mk II (1964) - fully retractable side windows and triangular windows in the doors

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MG Midget Mk II (1966) - the Swiss license plate makes it clear how small the roadster really is.

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MG Midget Mk II (1965) - entertaining, but sometimes somewhat unpredictable driving behavior

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MG Midget (1973) - together with the MGB

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MG Midget (1974) - for the sporty couple

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MG Midget (1963) - the Mark I - compact and sporty roadster

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MG Midget (1964) - front view, bird's eye view

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MG Midget Mk II (1964) - Interior redesigned and more luxurious

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MG Midget (1962) - bulging engine compartment

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MG Midget (1967) - side view of the Mark III with the 1,275 cm3 engine

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MG Midget (1966) - further improved as Mark III and now with 65 hp from 1.3 liters displacement

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MG B (1970) - MG sports car range for 1970, from left the B, rear the B GT, front right the Midget

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MG Midget (1974) - for beautiful trips for two

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MG Midget (1975) - the affordable legend (Advertising)

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Summary

Squeezing into the 3.5 meter short and just 1.35 meter narrow MG Midget with a wheelbase of just over two meters is reminiscent of the small sports cars of the pre-war era. And when you set off, there is little to protect you from the roaring windstorm that hits you. A good 50 years ago, however, the MG Midget and its twin brother, the Austin-Healey Sprite, were the gateway to the world of sports cars and therefore extremely attractive. And they still are today, as this driving report with many historical and current photos shows.

This article contains the following chapters

A wheelbase of just over two meters
A Kobold for the next generation
From goblin to dwarf
Positive test experiences
Five evolutionary stages
First rides in the midget
Further information

Estimated reading time: 6min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Squeezing into the 3.5 meter short and just 1.35 meter narrow MG Midget with a wheelbase of just over two meters feels a little reminiscent of the small sports cars of the pre-war era, as the steering wheel sits directly in front of the chest and the seating position is comparatively upright. And when you set off, there is little to protect you from the roaring windstorm that hits you. A good 50 years ago, however, the MG Midget and its twin brother, the Austin-Healey Sprite, were the entry into the world of sports cars and therefore extremely attractive. And they still are today. The Austin-Healey Sprite, which was launched in 1958, was the brainchild of Donald Healey and his sons Geoffrey and Brian. The small sports car was developed at the behest of British Motor Company boss Sir John Lord. Healey reached as far as possible into the well-assorted parts shelf, the engine came from the Austin A35, the four-speed gearbox was also used in the Morris Minor. Together with a few other components from Morris and MG, the basis was laid, but the chassis itself was a completely new design and was certainly inspired by successful racing cars. The Sprite therefore has the honor of being the first self-supporting British sports car. While the wheels were individually suspended from trapezoidal wishbones at the front, a rigid axle had to suffice for wheel guidance at the rear.

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