MG Midget
| MG Midget | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | MG (BMC, later British Leyland) |
| Production | 1961–1980 |
| Assembly |
Abingdon, England Australia |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style | 2-door roadster |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | Austin-Healey Sprite |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 80 in (2,032 mm) |
| Length | 137 in (3,480 mm) |
| Width | Mk I and II 54 in (1,372 mm) Mk III and 1500 55 in (1,397 mm) |
| Height | 48.5 in (1,232 mm) (before springs enlarged for 1974 Rubber Bumper cars) |
| Curb weight | 735 kg (1,620 lb) (approx) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | MG TF |
The MG Midget is a small two-seater sports car that was produced by MG from 1961 to 1979. It revived a name that had been used on earlier models such as the MG M-type, MG D-type, MG J-type and MG T-type.
The first version was essentially a slightly more expensive badge-engineered version of the MkII Austin-Healey Sprite. The original 'Frogeye' Sprite had been introduced specifically to fill the gap in the market left by the end of production of the MG T-type Midget as its replacement, the MGA had been a significantly larger and more expensive car with greater performance. Many existing MG enthusiast and buyers turned to the Sprite to provide a modern low-cost sports car and so a badge-engineered MG version reusing the Midget name made sense. The new Midget differed from the Sprite only in its grille design, badging, colour options and having both leather seats and more external chrome trim as standard to justify its higher purchase price.
Mechanically the car was identical to its Austin-Healey counterpart, retaining the rear suspension using quarter-elliptic leaf springs and trailing arms from the 'Frogeye'. The engine was a 948 cc A-Series with twin SU carburettors producing 46 hp (34 kW) at 5500 rpm and 53 lb·ft (72 N·m) at 3000 rpm. Brakes were 7-inch (178 mm) drums all round. A hard top, heater, radio and luggage rack were available as factory-fitted extras.
In October 1962 the engine was increased to 1098 cc, raising the output to 56 hp (42 kW) at 5500 rpm and 62 lb·ft (84 N·m) at 3250 rpm, and disc brakes replaced the drums at the front. Wire spoked wheels became available.
The doors had no external handles or locks and the windows were sliding Perspex side-screens. A heater was an optional extra.
Production was 16,080 of the small-engined version and 9601 of the 1098.
A car with the 948 cc engine was tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1962 and had a top speed of 87.9 mph (141.5 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 18.3 seconds. A fuel consumption of 40.2 miles per imperial gallon (7.03 L/100 km; 33.5 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £689 including taxes on the UK market.
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Wikipedia