Originally conceived as the up-market sister car to Austin's Sprite, which was built alongside it at MG's historic Abingdon-on-Thames factory, the diminutive MG Midget satisfied the demand for affordable wind-in-your-hair motoring all through the 1960s and 1970s.
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Time--and the rust demon--have taken their toll: almost 30 years after Midget production ended, it can be an exercise in futility to find one of the early, chrome bumper cars in outstanding condition. Selection becomes even more difficult if you're looking for one that can rightfully claim to be bone stock. Add immaculate provenance and documented, super low mileage to the equation, and you're looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack.
Well, here it is!
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The classic 1967 MG Midget Mark III presented here, VIN *GAN4U59404G*, one of just 22,415 made between 1966 and 1969, may indeed be the most genuine example remaining. It has had a single owner since March 20, 1968 and has travelled a mere 29,522 actual, documented miles.
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Highly unusual but most appropriate for such a gem, the MG is accompanied by its original, stamped BMC warranty & maintenance book, dealer & distributor registry, owner's handbook, and even the über-rare metal BMC warranty plate. A stack of past registrations and receipts round out the comprehensive documentation.
Now, let's inspect this incredible survivor very closely!
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Below the bonnet, inside the toothbrush-clean engine compartment, resides the Midget's matching numbers 1275cc power plant, # 12CCDAH14637, factory-rated at 65 lively horses. Less than 4,000 miles ago, the engine was carefully removed and new rod and main bearings, standard size pistons, tappets, and valve guides were installed to ensure continued superior performance with today's unleaded petrol.
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Externally, the engine and its ancillaries appear 100% stock and original; even the coveted yellow water decals on the factory air cleaners are still intact and the original battery cables are still present! We'll rightfully call this a reference-quality engine bay.
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Closing the bonnet, we can't help but notice the perfect body gaps. This Midget has never suffered the indignities of physical damage or corrosion; peering down the car's flanks and using a magnet to ferret out potential body filler reveals nothing but showroom crisp coachwork. Here is a 41 year-old British Roadster that still possesses all its original body panels and trim; even the bright side spears and bonnet center strip externally distinguishing the MG Midget from its slightly cheaper cousin, the Austin Healey Sprite, are all original and in pristine condition!
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Minor scuffs and dings, acquired during the first few years of semi-frequent use, prompted the Midget's owner to have the car's exterior refinished, quite some years ago, to show standards--in the original Guardsman's Red color, of course. There are no dings, dents, scrapes, ripples, bubbles, or other imperfections worth noting; this car might look as good or even better than on the day it hit the showroom floor, back in '67.
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Another Midget hallmark: the 64-spoke 4Jx13 center-lock wire wheels. (Note Girling disc brakes!) Sporting the correct painted finish with chromed octagonal knock-offs, these wheels are wrapped in excellent Monarch Metric radial rubber of the size 145-13.
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Here's the black, folding convertible top; it has not been in the raised position very often during the car's long life, since this Midget was enjoyed purely as a toy, top down, on sunny Sundays. Check out the marvelously preserved, painted top frame with its factory decals--this is the improved version that doesn't have to be removed and stored in the trunk along with the top, but can be folded back easily within seconds.
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Midget comes with two full tonneau covers with practical zippers, the striking red one shown above and the unused, original black one. OEM small black top boot is included as well.
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A small sports car with a big heart and timeless good looks.
Let's have a peek inside!
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Breathtakingly preserved interior stuns even seasoned aficionados with its factory-correct appearance. Unbelievably, perhaps, but with the exception of the black carpeting (which was renewed a few years ago), Midget's cozy interior today appears exactly as it left Abingdon, 41 years ago!
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Painted steel dash with classic SMITHS gauges and quintessential British switchgear is one of the main reasons connoisseurs of the marque have voted time and again for the 1967 vintage as the most collectible Midget of 'em all. Only the '67 combines the new top mechanism and the more powerful 1275cc motor unencumbered by choking smog devices, with the classic, non-plasticized steel dashboard and full chrome grille treatment.
Note original steering wheel and horn button.
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Pristine door panels with map pockets, original black bakelite shift knob, and flawlessly functioning BMC works radio (AM only, of course!) are among the myriad correct details.
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Black leatherette upholstery with white piping looks so perfect, it's hard to believe it should be over four decades old, but it is, indeed. There's something to be said about a low-mileage classic: "wear and tear" are non-issues here.
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Ready for the much-anticipated test drive?
Sure, but there are two very important areas to inspect first: trunk and undercarriage.
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Trunk floor is so clean, you could eat off of it. Matching factory spare is flawless as well.
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Correct, orange tire jack and tool kit (with original black plastic bag), the impossible-to-find, painted tonneau rail and pristinely preserved hardura bag, and the second full tonneau (with original canvas bag) are part of the package, good for some valuable extra points at the next car show!
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Yes, this Midget was always religiously garaged; it has never seen rain, sleet, or snow. Its undercarriage is 100% unmolested and rust free, that's guaranteed! Actually, there is no rust or accident damage anywhere to be found on this car. Simply incredible!
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September 2nd was another bright and sunny day in San Buenaventura, just the right weather for a top-down test drive.
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First surprise: the Midget is actually quite comfortable, once you are inside. Pull out the choke knob an inch, turn the key, and the Roadster starts immediately. The engine sounds heavenly, and we're off to the hills of Ventura. Second surprise: the 1275cc engine turns the Midget into a veritable MGB eater, at least from
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All gauges, switches, and lights work perfectly, just the tachometer needle appears a bit "jumpy" at times. There are no fluid leaks, no smoke, no overheating, no ill manners to report at all. Truly a classic automobile that runs every bit as good as it looks.
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During the many years immersed in Southern California's classic car scene, we have never encountered a finer unrestored, low mileage MG Midget, anywhere, not even at a car show.
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Returning home from our trip, we have become '67 Midget enthusiasts. Here's a small sports car that sounds great, is economical and fun to operate, while being universally admired as the true Classic it is.
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You can have your cake and eat it, too: the Midget hardly takes up space in the garage, returns close to 30mpg, and qualifies for inexpensive classic car insurance. Very reasonably priced spares are available from various vendors, should the need arise.
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This 41 year-old Midget is a true, heirloom-quality survivor. Always pampered and garaged, it's ready to deliver the goods for another 41 years. Opportunity knocks. Are you ready to answer?
Addendum:
We sold this Midget in October 2008 to a customer in Utah.