1969 MG Midget MKIII

Lot details
Registration No: YWY412G
Chassis No: GAN469932
Mot Expiry: None

By the 1960s, the MG Car Company had long since been absorbed into the giant British Motor Corporation (BMC). In an effort to fully capitalise on the many respected names in its care, the company embarked upon a programme of 'badge engineering', and the new MG Midget was essentially a MKII Austin Healey Sprite in a slightly different suit of clothes. In christening its new small sports car 'Midget', BMC revived a name made famous by a range of pre-war MGs. Certainly the Midgets, old and new, shared the same basic concept - ie they were two-seaters clothed in a simple, relatively light body and equipped with front-mounted engines driving the rear wheels. Moreover, they had suspension and brake components etc common to other cars, making them easy to replace or repair and cheap to service. The new Midget started life powered by a 948cc A-Series engine fed by twin SU carburettors. The doors lacked external handles or locks and the side windows comprised sliding perspex screens. Braking was by drums all round. Matters had greatly improved by the time the MKIII version appeared in 1966, not least in the engine compartment where the motor's capacity had been increased via 1098cc to 1275cc. Semi-elliptic rear springs had replaced the original quarter elliptic ones inherited from the Frogeye Sprite and front drum brakes had been replaced with discs. Wind-up windows had been fitted, together with a superior hood.

The white 1969 MKIII on offer features a black vinyl interior. Having served as daily transport from 1976 to 1996, its use was apparently sporadic until 2005, since when it has been dry stored. The vendor describes the engine, gearbox, bodywork and interior trim as "good". He rates the paintwork as "good" too but notes some microblistering to the bonnet and boot - apparently the car had the benefit of new wings and a repaint in 1992. The Midget comes complete with tonneau cover, hood cover and factory hardtop. It rides on the optional wire wheels rather the Rostyle type that were standard at the time, and benefits from a pair of additional driving lights. It is hoped but not guaranteed that the car will be in running order by the time of the sale.

PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle does not have an MOT.