The Driven Wheel : MG Midget A Review and Brief History

[jenniferusher]

Bought a new 1972 Midget in butterscotch yellow. I also got it with the black plastic removable hardtop, which we used a few times. When we did, we called it the Little Yellow Taxi. Most of the time, though, we just used the soft top. We kept it for nine years - mostly my partner used it for her daily driver. We also used it for some long trips - Pennsylvania to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. (about 2500 miles round trip). The tent and stuff went onto the luggage rack we had installed. It was fun to drive and we loved it. After 4 years it rusted badly and we had it sanded down and painted red. After that it was fine until we traded it in on a BMW 2002 ti. The key was finding a skilled mechanic who kept it in good repair. Fond memories with that little toy!

[JerryMotorsport]

Perfect roads for a drive in a Midget; so much fun! Although I've found the Midget heaters to be very capable and really very hot, Have had to crack open a window to keep the heat under control with the hood up; even on cold days.

[MH-wgbz]

still driving my 69 MKIII after 52 years and 110K miles

[hpterrick]

What a lovely video. A really well judged script. Most enjoyable, it captures the very essence of the machine.

[bwho]

Very well put forth video. Heightens, never dampens enthusiasm for this little bug-eyed gem!

[eltonlovell]

Love midgets - the closest thing you'll get to a go-kart on the road.

[crashbox]

I do rather fancy a 60s Midget to add to my small collection of cars. I own a 1932 Morris Minor 2-seater side-valve engined model, the earlier versions (1928-1931) were fitted with an OHC engine and the entire car was the basis for M.G.'s very first Midget, the M-Type. The main difference between the Minor and Midget was a lightweight boat-tail body was used on the M.G. and there were modifications to the cable-operated braking system and flatter leaf springs in the suspension at both ends. The 3-speed 'crash' gearbox and engine were unaltered from that fitted to the Minor, though M.G. did make improvements to the engine over the years it was in production. The OHC engine produced 20bhp in the Minor and early Midgets, with later Midgets producing about 27bhp. The re-worked side-valve version lost less than 1bhp over the standard OHC engine, producing 19.25bhp. The M-Type Midget was capable of 65mph, though anything much above 45mph in my Minor is a bit too scary for me. It bowls along at 40-45mph quite happily.

BTW, anything pre-war is generally written as M.G., and post-war is MG.

[johnpearson]

You make a good point on the quality of bushings. I purchased a set of rear radius arm bushings for my MK2 Sprite from a reputable source. I work in the rubber industry and was not impressed by the quality of the bushings before installed them. The original bushings that were in the car were tired but not in terrible shape. The new rubber ones lasted only 1 year before they were all fully torn. I then replaced them with poly bushings and couldn't be happier, very good ride still and are holding up with no issues after 3 years of aggressive driving.

[klassicracer]

Great car, great video, looks like it took Brassknocker hill in its stride!

[alastairwatson]

I believe that you meant “a great classic car, full stop”! It’s quite evident that you are not an American. Otherwise, a great video. And I’m 6 feet tall and I comfortably fitted in mine.

[kyles]

Quality video, happy to have come across it

[bgazza]

Excellent video, great commentary.You filled in the few gaps of what I knew of the Midget's history. Cheers.

[stephenhenion]

Who really needs a Veyron when you can have an MG Midget!! I had 6 of them back in the 80s

[snarfusmaximus]

I once lusted after a Triumph TR6 but got a 1968 MG Midget instead as it was considerably cheaper. Let's say I never felt I made the wrong decision as I now no longer lust because I love with my Midget.

[stuartdobson]

Thank you for the video. I had three when I was much younger and I loved them. As for the heating in winter, I had a piece of hardboard that I dropped down in front of the radiator that covered over half of the area when the weather was cold. That really helped. I also enjoyed driving with the tonneau cover covering the passengers seat if I was driving alone so all of the heat came up around my upper body. Great little cars.

[Thevolvos]

Don't envy the underside cleaning job after that trip. Good film though and a lovely little car.

[Brunow]

Very Nice done, would love some more driving with engine sounds shots during your review! Any chance you get to do a review on it's Brother the Spitfire? Thanks and great channel so far!

[tsfpnmy]

I'm 67 and I've always heard that the rectangular wheel arches provided more rigidity and strengthened the frame considerably. Supposedly the round wheel arches increased the chance of the frame failing at the front of the back wheel arches and was the reason they changed them back.

[mentonish]

Thanks for a great review, yes my first car was the midget, probably the mark 2. most enjoyable little fun car.

[asa]

I would love a mk2 in red with the original steering wheel, driving gloves and headscarf blowing in the wind . Pure darling