MG Midget 1500

ENGINE 1493cc/4-cyl/OHV POWER 65bhp@5500rpm TORQUE 77b ft@3000rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 102mph 0-60MPH 12.3sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 25-30mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, four-speed manual MoT May 2019 ODOMETER 47,807 miles

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

The Triumph engine starts without choke and soon settles to an even idle. Throttle response is impressive, there’s a firm, mechanical feel to the gearchange and the water temperature needle sits resolutely in the middle of the gauge. The Midget rides nicely on decent road surfaces (though potholes cause a small amount of scuttle shake), but the driver is well damped from any imperfections with no crashes or rattles. Precise steering requires minimal input at the wheel – there’s not a hint of play in the system – while the brakes pull the car up smartly without pulling to either side.

BODYWORK CHECK

There’s no movement in the door hinges. Panel gaps are impressively even and there’s no rust around the arches, front splitter or in the sills. The paint is good but not pristine; being black it shows up a number of imperfections – swirl marks in particular – that other colours would hide. There are parking nicks on the edge of the driver’s door, while the edges of both front wings require touching in where they meet the bonnet, close to the bumper. Rubber bumpers look glossy and present very well, with no scratches. Chrome is excellent throughout. The 13in Rostyle wheels appear to have been refurbished in the past and still look good. Tyres are Firestone Multihawks (front) and Infinity Eco Pioneers (rear) – all have plenty of tread remaining and aren’t especially old. There’s a new centre exhaust section and back box.

HOW’S THE INTERIOR?

What appear to be original seats haven’t sagged, though there are some minor cracks where the driver’s base meets the seat back. The carpets look to be in good condition, though investing in a set of overmats would prevent the wear in the driver’s footwell from becoming unsightly. There are no scratches to the door cards and the dashboard is free of cracks. Inertia reel seatbelts and an aftermarket Clarion head unit are fitted, in addition to a MotoLita steering wheel with a wooden rim, stainless steel spokes and MG centre boss.

UNDER THE BONNET

It’s a bit dusty, but there are no signs of leaking and no corrosion on the bulkhead or in the wings. The coolant hose running from the top of the engine to the bottom of the radiator is new, and the rest of it, while older, isn’t cracked or bulging. Nothing appears to have been uprated; the ignition coil is standard and the distributor is mechanical.

THE CCW VIEW

You might have expected a degree of tiredness to have crept in to this car, but it goes well, rides well and everything feels free from play. This Midget has seen five previous owners, four of whom were in the same family. A folder of documents details the work carried out to the car each year in minute detail. This MG could be hopped into and enjoyed straightaway. Chris Hope