1972 MG MIDGET 1275cc REVIEW

Looking at investing your hard earned into a classic British sports car? Then this 1972 1275cc MG MIDGET REVIEW will help you whittle down the selection!

Yes, Rich and Andy are back together again. We found one sunny day in October to film a covid compliant review of this little beauty.

The MG Midget is world famous for being a cheap, fun, and mostly reliable way to enjoy top down classic motoring. This 1275cc MG actually has a refurbished Ivor Searle engine in it, but it is still a stock engine with no frills attached.

Rich also own an MG Midget, but has a later 1500cc engine version. Sadly however his car is now destined for parts, as it has rotten so badly, it would cost well over £8k to restore. and for that money you could get an amazing well looked after one.

We hope you enjoy this MG Midget Review, as always any questions or requests, throw them down below in the comments.

HUGE Thanks to Robert Cooke for the Drone footage, Richard Wharmby, Julian Flayand Michael Davis for the stills of their cars; AND to the Midget and Sprite Club, for all their support with Margo over the years.

Cracking piece of music as Rich drives off:

[midnitespecialist]

i’m 17 and i bought my 1974 mg midget as my high school dream car. definitely a car i’ll be keeping for the rest of my life. a blast to drive and positive attention everywhere i go!

[ThisIsEngland]

I put a Frontline 5 speed gearbox in mine. Same ratios 1-4 but synchro on first and 5th overdrive. Made a good car even better.

[graciebarrabjj]

Has a owner of a 72 midget… I must say I truly enjoy this car and I loved your video very much.
Perhaps I enjoy working on the car with my father just as much as I do driving in… Thank you for the video he really means a lot

[LooLooRacer]

Im currently restoring our 1973 Midget. we love it and cant wait to get it done so we can enjoy driving it again.

[AllMys]

Thank you for this, it has sealed my decision to get an MG Midget... I had a 1963 Midget 34 years ago, drove it back 20 miles with no floor, completely rusted away, lol... But back then I did not have the money to get it restored and a baby sealed its doom... Great video love your style of presenting...

[robertwalls]

I have a 1969 Austin Healey Sprite in proper BRG and love every minute in it. A driving experience like nothing else.

[Martin]

You you don't drive a Midget; you wear it!! I've owned a 1500 since 1984 and inherited a 1275 from my father. Somehow the 1275 feels older. I think it's the more noisy, A Series gearbox....I quite like having to double de clutch into first. They mention the lack of overdrive on the 1500. I have fitted one to my car and of all the things I've done to my 1500, the overdrive is the one I now value most. You can fit a Ford Sierra 5 speed box, to the A Series cars but (Especially as I have an overdrive 1500) I like the A Series box and I will leave it as it is.

[invisiblewoman]

I bought myself a 1975 MG Midget as a retirement gift. Best thing I've ever done for myself!🧡 It brings me SO much JOY! Love your video! You're so right about the smell of the oil and fuel!! Love it!

[eddybabe]

I've a had a few 'sporty' cars over the years. The only one I kept is my 73' 1275 Midget, owned it for over 31 years now. A superb little car, reliable, huge fun and won't kill you. Unlike my other past cars: Caterhams, Westfield, MR2 roadster, XR2 and vauxhall Nova GTE.

[melissagudger]

Great video, guys! You captured how I feel about driving my 1972 MG Midget (US model with 3 silly little windshield wipers).

[cdjhyoung]

With the 1275cc 1972 MG Midget, you have identified the ultimate factory version of this car. The 1275 is a more entertaining engine in this body than the 1500cc Triumph engine turned out to be. I suspect engine tune for pollution control (in North America) has a lot to do with that feel.

These cars have zero power assist anything, which really makes them such a delight to drive. They really do give you the feel of entertaining speed at legal road speeds. I had a 1973 1/2 Midget that I would campaign it up a local hilly road at about 45 mph. Dirt, a bit of a a loose rear end, lovely sound and feel. My son (age 8) and I loved it. We once took the family station wagon up the same road trying to get the same feel. That big old Pontiac with power everything and three times the body weight hid every delight of the drive. Even at 70 mph it didn't deliver the thrill of speed that the Midget did at 45.

One thing about these cars: I stood 5 ft 7 inches and weighed 150 lbs. when I owned mine. I had the seat as far back as it would go in the cock pit. It was comfortable on me, and you really did feel as if you were wearing this car. I lent it to a friend for a spin around the block. He was 6 ft 2 inches and could get in it, but admitted he could barely get his feet off the pedals. If you are built to the dimensions of a normal Englishman of the 1950's, you will love this car. If you are more of a 200 lbs. 6 foot plus fellow, this won't be as much fun.

I would buy another Midget from this early 1970's era in a heart beat. My only real complaint about the design of the car is its Lucas engine electronics. As legend tells us, The Brits love warm beer because they own Lucas refrigerators.

[ianjgd]

Amusing video. I still have two of these after 30 years. They rust in the scuttle and sills. Frontend falls out as it is a very cheap design with a single shocker arm acting as part of the suspension and those fulcrum pins wear. A series engines endlessly leak oil as they have scroll seal (needs positive crankcase pressure to seal), the engine oil often ends up on the clutch. If you really drive one like a sportscar it will be in bits often. The gearbox must come out with the engine and the whole thing is held together with a mixture of ridiculously fine UNF, UNC, BSF sometime even USA ANF threads depending on the year. Bind nuts everywhere which rust up and strip. Yikes! Oil pump location is nuts. Early cars are better to drive as they have more elbow room. 1275 motors blow head gaskets as there is very little space between the bores. A series motors run bearings if pushed. Very hard to get the rear axle sealed well and the diff oil ends up in the brake drums. On the limit they pivot really well but are a bit twitchy due to the narrow track and short wheelbase. Early cars have 1/4 elliptic springs and are more fun around corners. Excellent MM steering rack. Amazing fun for the money but be prepared to do some work. I love'm but can completely understand why people don't as they are set up for short arm driving. Keep up the reviews!

[Redipstick]

I just started shopping for one, I’m so excited!!!

[timgillison]

Thank you both for a lovely review. I had a Spitfire years ago and identify absolutely with the enthusiasm you feel for cars like this. Never been in a Midget but am feeling I ought to give it a go. Many thanks for the wonderfully infectious joy and enthusiasm :-)

[timaidley]

Many years ago, for our 18th birthday, my Grandmother bought my twin brother and I a little yellow MG Midget. Unfortunately neither of us had a driving license or anywhere to store it, and neither of us had any money to remedy either of those things or to run it or insure it. Eventually we bowed to pressure from my Mum who was terrified that her teenage sons had been given a sports car with which to kill themselves.

My grandmother sold the car and gave me a banjo instead. 😭

[eaglechawks]

It has a wonderful running burble.... when it actually runs. If you get one of these the first upgrade to make is to ditch the SU carbs for a Weber. You will be happy you did.

[scottireland]

Not water tight..LOL. I remember driving my date in my 60 bugeye Sprite in the rain, when the top tab that fits under the top of the windscreen just popped out going about 45 mph. Still miss that car. 50 years ago.

[bertiewooster]

What you young guys must realise is we old farts had these new they were cheap and fast against most saloons great....no mobile phones no tattoos no woke no media and slim crumpet !!

[davidbrassington]

Hey Guys ...great Video and glad you are still out there :) I have had my 1970 1275 Midg for a year now and love it. Tell me - what exhaust do you have on her ? You did a video of fitting it and I think it came fromm Moss in Bristol - where I live - but the vid seems to have gone :(

[LooLooRacer]

Another car that gives smile per mile is our 1955 Austin A30. We always drive around with a big grin . And it seems everyones Dad or Grandad had one at some point. People just come and talk to you. Of course the Midget and Sprite were based on the A30/A35 mechanicals