Poll - To Buy or Not To Buy, That is the Question
beagley - 15/5/12 at 01:54 PM
A while ago SWMBO told me that she wouldn't mind working on a "classic" car. I perked up because she doesn't really like cars,
and my initial thought was she meant muscle car (we are Americans mind you), BUT... much to my dismay she was in fact referring to older classic
"British" cars. I was elated!
Been doing some shopping and found this gem about 30 min from me.
Possible Project?
Engine Looks Good
Interior looks good
How many miles?
Here is a YouTube clip of the engine running. It sounded like there were no
issues mechanically at all. Its a '78 and the interior looked pretty good. Had 54k miles and everything looked to be in good nick. It needs a
new top, and most likely an alternator as the guy took the charger off the battery while it was running and the car died.
Its priced a little high at $5,000 and it needs some work, but what MG doesn't right. I want to offer $3,000 since the top, alternator, etc.
need to be replaced/repaired. Am I wasting my time, is this a good project, should I even bother?
scudderfish - 15/5/12 at 01:55 PM
You could drop a V8 in there......
coozer - 15/5/12 at 01:57 PM
You need to get rid of them 'orrid bumpers as well...
scudderfish - 15/5/12 at 01:57 PM
Or even a 4x4 V8 
http://www.rhel.co.uk/articles/midget/midget.htm
AllWeatherDan - 15/5/12 at 01:59 PM
Always hated those bumpers!
Chrome
mmmmmmmmmm
MakeEverything - 15/5/12 at 02:00 PM
For that sort of money, you could get a chrome bumper RWA (Round wheel arch) midget 1275.
I would hold off and look for one a bit better priced.
MakeEverything - 15/5/12 at 02:01 PM
quote:
Originally posted by scudderfish
You could drop a V8 in there......
People have in the past. Saw a few when i had mine, and on the 'club scene'.
bartonp - 15/5/12 at 02:01 PM
quote:
Originally posted by beagley
A while ago SWMBO told me that she wouldn't mind working on a "classic" car. I perked up because she doesn't really like cars,
and my initial thought was she meant muscle car (we are Americans mind you), BUT... much to my dismay she was in fact referring to older classic
"British" cars. I was elated!
Been doing some shopping and found this gem about 30 min from me.
Possible Project?
Engine Looks Good
Interior looks good
How many miles?
Here is a YouTube clip of the engine running. It sounded like there were no
issues mechanically at all. Its a '78 and the interior looked pretty good. Had 54k miles and everything looked to be in good nick. It needs a
new top, and most likely an alternator as the guy took the charger off the battery while it was running and the car died.
Its priced a little high at $5,000 and it needs some work, but what MG doesn't right. I want to offer $3,000 since the top, alternator, etc.
need to be replaced/repaired. Am I wasting my time, is this a good project, should I even bother?
That's the 1500 Triumph engine - known to be weak.
The 1275 'A' series was better.
Not an issue if you are swapping it out for something interesting though... :-)
beagley - 15/5/12 at 02:38 PM
quote:
Originally posted by bartonp
The 1275 'A' series was better.
Not an issue if you are swapping it out for something interesting though... :-)
Sorry bartonp I never got to read your post. Actually never made it past the avatar..
Wasn't planning on doing any kind of swapping with it, just something fun to drive around in. I'm wanting something to tinker on so and get
more intimate with the different aspects of rebuild/restoring a car. I don't want a full on restoration project, but I would like for some
things to be in need of a tinker. I've seen another Midget locally to me and I'm going to contact the seller about it.
Regarding the 1275 'A' series, what should I look for with that? Anything to let me know its a 1275 vs the 1500. I was amazed at how small
that engine was.... then I remember the Moss Motors supercharger system that is made specifically for MG Midgets so that's always an option.
Beags
Steve Hignett - 15/5/12 at 02:51 PM
I've always known the 1275 to be a much better engine than the 1500.
I agree with most of the above (apart from the V8 transplant - an MG Midget will be a good little project that won't spend all it's life
being converted in a garage), yet I also feel that, that is overpriced.
It just seems so much more than what I'm used to and I know that MG weren't shy in exporting their cars to america.
I mean that was the whole reason for the stupid rubber bumpers in the first place!!!
If it were my choice then I would say it's prob a good car to get you started in the MG type of car, and as long as you check out that restored
examples are going for a lot more than that one, then you could go ahead and sell it on a year or so later.
However, I'd prefer a scarlet red 1275 personally...
scootz - 15/5/12 at 02:54 PM
I also think it's overpriced a fair bit (but only relative to the UK market... I have no idea what these cars fetch in the States).
Thery do have bags of character though, so would applaud your purchase if you can get it for sub-$3k.
beagley - 15/5/12 at 02:58 PM
Then there is always this option.
[Edited on 5/15/2012 by beagley]
bartonp - 15/5/12 at 03:05 PM
quote:
Originally posted by beagley
Then there is always this option.
[Edited on 5/15/2012 by beagley]
MGB looks nice for the same money!
A-Series 1275 is smaller again, has oil breather cap on rocker cover at the other end....
scootz - 15/5/12 at 03:25 PM
Now you're talking... I love B!!!!
designer - 15/5/12 at 04:13 PM
The Midget is a brilliant 'girlie' car.
Compared to UK sounds expensive, would think you could buy a fully restored, chrome bumper, model and import from the UK for nearly the same money.
deltron63 - 15/5/12 at 09:19 PM
Or you could spend a year doing this
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