MG Midget

My old and faithful [1] MG Midget, "restored" from a basket case by me on a shoestring budget many years ago and much tinkered with ever since. The rear axle was made in 1971; most of the rest has been replaced at one time or the other. Apart from the obvious Revolution alloy wheels, 185 tyres and aero style roll bar, it's got a one piece GRP nose, hinged at the front for easy engine access[2]. Paint is by Halfords.

The engine uses MG Metro pistons and cam in an A+ block bored to 1293cc, with LCB exhaust and sidedraft Weber carburettor. Unfortunately my stage 3 cylinder head cracked between the valves so I'm using a standard one at the moment and keeping my eyes open for a stage 2 unleaded compatible replacement. The larger radiator is from a Marina and is mounted on what used to be the front valance fixings, leaving space for an electric fan acquired from a scrap Renault 5.

The front suspension has camber adjustable top links and Spax telescopic shock absorbers to replace the lever arm jobs originally fitted. I did experiment with a panhard rod on the rear but had trouble getting the geometry right and still clearing the handbrake linkage.

The interior is original except for the carpets which came from the same Maxi that donated the 2-speed wiper motor... notice the BL theme here... as it happens, they're much better than the MG ones as they are rubber rather than hessian backed. Instrumentation is standard except for the map light and some extra switches, including a push button starter like all the best racing cars.

The driving experience is not for the cautious. Assuming you can work out the ignition switch arrangement it fires up pretty well, but the inlet manifold is unheated so it's a bit temperamental until you get some warmth into it - be gentle with the throttle or the engine will splutter and die. The useable power band is not ideal either - the Weber carburettor only really likes 2500 rpm upwards and the head starts to suffocate it at 5000 so frequent gearchanges are required to ensure progress. The front suspension works pretty well - Midgets have very direct, accurate steering and the Spax ensure that the front tyres stay stuck to the road. The rear is a bit less predictable - usually width of rubber compensates for poor damping and primitive leaf springs, but an uneven or slippery road can provide entertainment. The brakes are good - new discs, pads and shoes ensure that whatever else happens, you can stop straight and square.

 

[1] I don't say it never breaks down, but it has only once[3] done so in a way that I couldn't fix by the roadside and continue[4].

[2] How does 45 minutes for a complete engine and gearbox removal sound?

[3] Rotor arm broke in half, but I was only 0.5 mile from home.

[4] Most significant breakage was when an over exhuberant downshift shredded the laygear. Managed to rock it a few times so all the broken teeth fell to the bottom of the gearbox and drove home in top.