MG Midget MkI
Overview
| Produced: |
1961-1964, 25681 produced. |
|---|---|
| Types: |
Sports,2 doors,2 seats |
Due to the great sales success of the original Austin Healey Sprite ( Mk I or "Frogeye") the BMC organisation decided to develop the model range even further. The "Frogeye" had always been built at the MG Abingdon works so it was inevitable that an MG variant would be built their as well, alongside the next generation Sprite. In 1961 the new cars arrived...
The Sprite received a new restyled body which now included an external boot lid and sleeker front wings. The trade mark "Frogeyes" disappeared and the Sprite had now become the Sprite Mk II. The new MG Midget version was almost identical apart from the badges and some extra chrome trim. The convertible hood was of the "build-it-yourself-hood-frame-type", complete with canvas/Perspex side screens and no external door handles.
Mechanically the original 948cc A-Series engine was used to start with, although this was superseded in 1962 by the more powerful 1098cc A-Series unit . The 1962 version also featured front disc brakes to cope with extra power. In 1964 the Mk II Midget was replaced by the improved MkII. Practical Classics October 2009 - Featuring Buyers Guide Austin Healey Sprite and MG Midget (1958-1979). Click Here to view in our shop.
Source: Motorbase
Engines
| Capacity | Config | Model | Bore/Stroke | CR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 948cc | S4 OHV | BMC A-Series | 62.92mm x 76.2mm | 9 |
| 1098cc | S4 OHV | BMC A-Series | 62.93mm x 83.72mm |
Drivetrain and Suspension
| Drivetrain | Steering | Front Suspension | Rear Suspension |
|---|---|---|---|
Performance
| Top Speed | 0-60 | SQM | MPG | Engine Pwr | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 86 mph | 27 mpg |
Auction Sales History
Books
| ISBN | Title | Publisher | Buy this book |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1855202816 | MG Midget Mk 1, 2 & 3 and Sprite AKD4021 | Brooklands Books |
Magazine Articles
| Title | Pages | Options | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Article |
Little wonder - MG Midgets |
98 |
 |
|
| Publication | Classic Cars October 2011 | |||
| Little wonder - MG Midgets - The MG Midget is 50 years old and the archetypal small sports car is still a favourite. So which of the four main variants suits you? | ||||
| Article |
Classic Evolution - Mighty Midgets |
7 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics May 2011 | |||
| Classic Evolution - Mighty Midgets - John Simister helps PC celebrate the 50-year evolution of MG's small sports car. 1959 Austin-Healey (Frogeye) Sprite, 1963 MG Midget MKI, 1972 MG Midget MKIII, 1977 MG Midget 1500, 1965 Frontline Midget. | ||||
| Article |
Buying guide - MG Midget 1961-1979 |
104 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Cars December 2005 | |||
| Buying guide - MG Midget 1961-1979 - The MG Midget offers inexpensive and reliable classic thrills, but you still need to buy carefully to avoid emotional and financial disaster. | ||||
| Article |
20 great classics do battle |
56 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Cars November 2005 | |||
| 20 great classics do battle - There's never been a showdown like this before. 20 of the most popular classics of all time go head to head at the Classic Cars test track. How does your favourite fare? | ||||
| Article |
Fun starts at £4000 |
62 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Cars July 2005 | |||
| Fun starts at £4000 - From starter classics to awesome exotica, these 45 cars offer the biggest thrills for their price category. We put nine of the best against each other at Brands Hatch race circuit to find the most fun car for your money - whatever your budget. 1961-74 MG Midget, 1970-75 Ford Escort Mexico, 1991-94 TVR V8S, 1991-93 Lancia Delta HF Integrale EVO, 1983-85 Renault 5 Turbo 2, 1971-73 Lotus Elan Sprint, 1965-75 Alpine A110 1300, 1977-90 Porsche 911 (930) Turbo 3.3, 2005 Hawk 289 FIA. | ||||
| Article |
MG Midget - Classic drive |
8 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics March 2004 | |||
|
To the top of the Peak District, in mid-winter, with no roof! why not? MG Midget |
||||
| Article |
Buyer ownership guide - MG Midget |
124 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics September 2003 | |||
| Buyer ownership guide - MG Midget - The sporty badge-engineered Austin-Healey Sprite offers good value soft-top motoring. If you fancy the wind in your hair, here's what you should know. | ||||
| Article |
From Cradle to Grave - Small time - MG Midget |
40 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics September 2002 | |||
| Small time - You can't fail to have fun in an MG Midget, whether you're in the spartan Mk I or the more practical 1500. David Lillywhite compares the first and last of the toy racers. | ||||
| Article |
Classic Cars Spring 2001 pg 86 |
86 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Cars Spring 2001 | |||
| MG Midget vs Morgan three-wheeler - We relive the thrills of fast sporting cars for dashing young chaps. Thirties-style. | ||||
| Article |
Buyers Guide - MG Midgets/Austin-Healey Sprites |
78 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics September 2000 | |||
| Buyers Guide - MG Midgets/Austin-Healey Sprites - Good things often come in small packages and the Sprite/Midget is one of them. WiIl Holman looks over the Kylie Minogue of classic cars. | ||||
| Article |
Buyer's Guide: MG Midget 1961-79 - Perfectly formed |
86 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart July 2011 | |||
| Buyer's Guide: MG Midget 1961-79 - Perfectly formed - With its DIY-friendly running gear and traditional driving experience, the Midget makes the perfect starter classic. Here's what you need to know about MG's smallest sports car. | ||||
| Article |
Marvellous Midgets |
10 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics Monthly Summer 2011 | |||
| Marvellous Midgets - To celebrate 50 years of MG's affordable sportscar, we've arranged a family reunion with its Sprite sibling to see which is the best buy. | ||||
| Article |
Buyer's Guide Express - MG Midget (1961-1979) |
59 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 27 October 2010 | |||
| Buyer's Guide Express - MG Midget (1961-1979) - Small it might be - but with all the right bits, in all the right places, the MG Midget is a bungle of classic fun. MATT GEORGE finds out why. | ||||
| Article |
Miles of smiles |
78 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart July 2010 | |||
| Miles of smiles - Since the Sprite's launch, there have been many imitators - but there's nothing quite like the real thing. | ||||
| Article |
What's the worst that can happen...when MG shrinks the sports car? |
54 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart September 2006 | |||
| What's the worst that can happen...when MG shrinks the sports car? - One of the most popular MGs of all time, the humble Midget staying in production for an impressive 18 years. Paul Guinness takes a look at its success and the reasons behind its popularity. | ||||
| Article |
Six of the best - Economy classics |
63 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart May 2006 | |||
| Six of the best - Economy classics - Volkswagen Beetle, Austin A30/A35, Citroen 2CV, Mini. Ford Anglia 105E, MG Midget. | ||||
| Article |
Generation gap |
56 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics Monthly January 2006 | |||
| Generation gap - The MG Midget offered affordable sportscar fun, but stayed on long after its time had passed. Mark Robinson says the X1/9 shows what it could have become. | ||||
| Article |
Midget Mark One |
38 |
|
|
| Publication | The Automobile December 2005 | |||
| Midget Mark One - First of the MG Midget line, the diminutive 847cc M-type of 1928 was the most popular sports car in the world in its day and, arguably, the salvation of its manufacturer. Jonathan Wood takes us through the development of the sporting Minor. | ||||
| Article |
Buying Power - MG Midget & Austin Healey Sprite |
24 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 27 October 2005 | |||
| Buying Power - MG Midget & Austin Healey Sprite - The little sisters of the MG and Austin-healey family can be almost as much fun as their bigger siblings. But they can also be just as much trouble too, so read RICHARD GUNN's guide to getting the best one you can. | ||||
| Article |
A Little Help - Restoration: MG Midget |
64 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics Monthly Spring 2005 | |||
| A Little Help - Restoration: MG Midget - Steve Bowling from Leyland, Lancashire, found he’d bitten off more than he could chew with one very rusty RWA Midget. He told Greg Whitaker he needed a friend who could weld and paint. | ||||
| Article |
Thinking of Buying... An MG Midget or an Austin-Healey Sprite? |
64 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart January 2005 | |||
| Thinking of Buying...An MG Midget or an Austin-Healey Sprite? - They may not be the fastest classic on the block, but they certainly offer a staggering number of smiles per mile! Ted Purcell offers sound advice about buying one of these sporting siblings... | ||||
| Article |
Our Classics - MG Midget - Jon Pressnell |
168 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic & Sports Car October 2004 | |||
| Our Classics - MG Midget - Jon Pressnell - Jonny says: relax don't ment it. | ||||
| Article |
What's the Worst That Can Happen... When Germans Reinvent The MG Midget? |
58 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart October 2004 | |||
| What’s the Worst That Can Happen... When Germans Reinvent The MG Midget? - Mercedes-owned smart reckons it’s come up with an MG Midget for the 21st century. Some folk think it’s an instant classic. Paul Guinness ponders both claims after getting behind the wheel. | ||||
| Article |
Marque Five - The Best MGs! |
35 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart August 2004 | |||
| Marque Five - The Best MGs! - Whatever your thoughts on MG, you can’t deny it’s the archetypal British Sporting marque. Paul Guinness picks five of the best models to buy right now. MGA, MGB, Midget, Magnette MkIII & IV, MGF | ||||
| Article |
Road Test - MG Midget |
38 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 19th May 2004 | |||
| Road Test - MG Midget - Built 1961-79, Two-seater convertible, front-engined, rear-wheel-drive, 948cc to 1493cc, four cylinders. | ||||
| Article |
Starter Classic - Midget and Sprite |
154 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic & Sports Car May 2004 | |||
| Starter Classic - Midget and Sprite - The archetypal miniature sports car makes a great first classic, explains Malcolm McKay. | ||||
| Article |
Fidget With Your Midget - Modifying MG Midgets |
88 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics May 2004 | |||
| Fidget With Your Midget - Modifying MG Midgets - Equally at home on road or track, the buzzy MG Midget has long offered an affordable way into MG ownership. But there's more to be had, as Greg Whitaker finds out. | ||||
| Article |
Small change |
126 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic & Sports Car July 2002 | |||
| Small change - Alastair Clements traces the evolution of the Midget - MG's sporty little cherub that brings out the devil in you. | ||||
| Article |
Classics October 2001 pg 16 |
16 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics October 2001 | |||
| Martin Gothard signed up for years of effort when he bought a 1978 MG Midget at auction. David Bowers tells the story. | ||||
| Article |
Classics July 2001 pg 22 |
22 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics July 2001 | |||
| Make mine a small one. These three cars are the best Spridgets from more than 40 years' production. But which of them is the best Spridget of all? Andrew Noakes and Tim Morgan help Andrew Charman to decide. | ||||
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