This 1979 MG Midget was acquired by the seller in 2008 and was subsequently modified and refurbished with work that included rebuilding and turbocharging the 1,493cc inline-four, reconditioning the four-speed manual transmission, overhauling the suspension and brakes, shaving and smoothing the bodywork, refinishing the exterior in pewter, and retrimming the interior with replacement seats, shag carpets, and a Pioneer CD stereo. Additional features include a black convertible soft top, front disc brakes, 13″ Minilite-style alloy wheels, and a louvered hood. This Midget is offered with a clean Idaho title in the seller’s name.
The car was stripped to bare metal and the bodywork was shaved and smoothed before refinishing the exterior in pewter. Additional details include a replacement black soft top, a custom louvered hood, and a driver-side mirror.
The 13″ Minilite-style alloy wheels are mounted with 175/70 Wanli S-1015 tires. Braking is handled by front discs and rear drums.
The replacement bolstered bucket seats are upholstered in black cloth with black vinyl backs. Shag carpet lines the floors and additional appointments include a cabin heater, crank windows, and a Bluetooth-capable Pioneer CD stereo linked to an amplifier and four speakers.
The leather-wrapped steering wheel frames a 120-mph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer, and gauges for coolant temperature and fuel level. Auxiliary gauges for boost pressure, air/fuel ratio, and oil pressure are housed beneath the dashboard. The five-digit odometer shows 89k miles, approximately 12k of which were added under current ownership.
The rebuilt 1,493cc inline-four is modified with a Spectre conical air filter, a Mikuni flat-slide carburetor, a turbocharger, an alternator conversion, electronic ignition, and an electric cooling fan. Emissions controls have been removed, hood struts have been installed, and the engine is rough during cold starts.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a rebuilt four-speed manual transmission.
In-process photos of the refurbishment are included in the gallery.