Six questions with A Midget owner
Lee Juby explains why the ever-popular MG Midget is the car for him
1 Why did you buy it?
Ten years ago, I wanted a new hobby, and as an engineer I wanted something I could tinker with. When
I was a new driver, I’d had a Mini that I worked on myself. I wanted an open-topped two-seater and the Midget had the same A-series engine as the Mini, so it made sense to go for the MG.
2 How easy was it to find a good one?
I wanted a 1972 car, as I was born in that year. There were quite a few such Midgets about, and I even found one registered on my birthday. But quite a few of the cars for sale weren’t that tidy – I wanted something as close to original as possible, at least aesthetically. Then I found this car, which had been owned by an older couple who had invested in a restoration a decade before they sold it to me.
3 So it didn’t need anything at all?
The car was very tidy, but it soon became apparent that the engine was using a lot of oil, so I rebuilt it. I decided to have the gearbox overhauled at the same time, but even with 100,000 miles racked up it turned out to be in perfectly good condition.
4 Has the car lived up to your expectations?
Absolutely! My everyday cars have been Alfa Romeos and BMWS, so I appreciate a good chassis. The Midget is obviously a budget car that’s almost 50 years old, but it’s still enormous fun as it’s light and nimble and you always feel as though you’re going faster than you really are. Joining the Midget & Sprite Club proved essential, as there’s a vast amount of expertise available and the group is very active, with runs out and plenty of social events – I’ve made some great friends through it.
5 How usable is your Midget?
I’m six feet tall and find the cabin plenty roomy enough, although getting in and out is awkward. Boot space is fine, but there are extra nooks and crannies that can be used for carrying spares or squashy bags. I’ve taken it to Spa, where I drove the circuit, and it was fabulous. The car will cruise comfortably at 65mph and, although 80mph is achievable, it’s very noisy.
6 Have you kept it completely standard?
I’ve fitted LED sidelights so I can be seen more easily, and the 165 tyres are wider than standard, but I’ll probably fit narrower replacements when they’re next due. I’ve installed electronic ignition and a sports exhaust is also fitted – but this is too loud and I’m looking at switching to something quieter.