MG Midget

MG Midget at a glance

A badge-engineered Sprite from Abingdon

MG announced the Midget at the end of June 1961 and revived a name it had used before the war. Underneath it was the Mk II Austin-Healey Sprite Deluxe, priced slightly higher. Grille, badges, cabin trim, instruments and polished exterior strips were the only differences, and the two shared every mechanical part, including the quarter-elliptic rear springs and trailing arms carried over from the "frogeye" Sprite. Enthusiasts soon called the pair the Spridget. Austin-Healey models are listed in the Austin-Healey catalogue.

The Motor tested a 948 cc car in 1962. It reached 141.5 km/h (87.9 mph), took 18.3 s to 97 km/h and returned 40.2 mpg, about 7.0 l/100 km. The test car cost GBP 689 with UK taxes. In October 1962 the engine grew to 1,098 cc, and 13 x 4 inch wire wheels became optional at the same time. The Midget became the smallest car in a range whose story is told in our history of MG.

From 948 cc to 1,493 cc: Midget engines by mark

The 1,275 cc engine of the Mk III was a detuned version of the Mini Cooper S unit. The Midget 1500 used the Standard SC-family engine from the Triumph Spitfire, the Midget's closest rival, which gave more torque than the 1275. Classic Car Weekly quotes 53 kW (71 bhp) and 111 Nm for the 1500, so figures vary between sources. American cars were weaker: in August 1971 the compression ratio fell to 8.0:1, and the US 1500 produced 37 kW (50 bhp) and 91 Nm. From 1975-1976 air pumps, EGR valves and catalytic converters cut US output further.

Wind-up windows, Rostyles and rubber bumpers

The Mk II of 1964 brought wind-up windows and a strengthened engine block, the first big step away from the sidescreen cars. For the US 1968 model year Midgets gained a padded dashboard, a collapsible steering column, a third wiper, side marker lights and anti-burst door latches. In December 1968 the rear axle ratio changed from 4.22:1 to 3.90:1.

The 1970 model year facelift of late 1969 brought black-painted sills, a new grille and squared tail lights, and 13-inch Rostyle wheels became standard with wire wheels still on the options list. In January 1972 the square rear wheel arches gave way to rounded ones; Hagerty UK notes that rear-arch rust affects both shapes equally. Alternators replaced dynamos in 1973.

US impact rules shaped the last years. Seven months into the 1974 model year, large rubber overriders nicknamed "Sabrinas" were added to the chrome bumpers. The Midget 1500 then received large black plastic-covered bumpers and a higher ride height, which made anti-roll bars necessary. In late 1976 US cars changed to a single Zenith-Stromberg 150 CD4 carburettor. The 1500 was quicker than the 1275, at about 12 s against 13 s to 97 km/h, and topped 161 km/h. The last car was built on 7 December 1979, and the final 500 home-market cars were painted black.

MG Midget today: what to check when buying

Rust decides the value of any Midget. Hagerty UK lists the sills, inner sills, floor, rear wheel arches and the rear bulkhead where the springs mount, and Classic Car Weekly adds a magnet test for filler and sagging doors as a sign of structural damage. Heritage panels exist, so a rusty shell can be saved, but the body is where the big bills come from.

On the 1500, rattling big ends and blue smoke mean an engine rebuild, and milky residue under the radiator cap points to head gasket trouble. Gearboxes that jump out of gear or whine are getting worse, and a reconditioned unit costs about GBP 600 according to Classic Car Weekly. Check kingpin wear, leaf springs and the hood fit. The A-series 1275 has strong parts support. Hagerty UK rates the 1974-1980 1500 as the easiest to restore because it rusted less and panels are easy to find, while early sidescreen cars share more panels with the frogeye Sprite. Owners' clubs and specialists cover service parts well, and the MG Owners' Club sells full service kits.

Values are modest. British Classic Cars, publishing on 8 September 2026 from auction results to 10 August 2026, gives a median of GBP 4,632 (about EUR 5,300, at about 1.15 EUR per GBP) across 693 sales. By mark it lists medians of GBP 5,850 (about EUR 6,700) for the Mk I, GBP 5,721 (about EUR 6,600) for the Mk II, GBP 5,124 (about EUR 5,900) for the Mk III and GBP 3,656 (about EUR 4,200) for the 1500. Prices in 2025 fell 8% on 2024. Other MG models are in the MG catalogue, and more period sports cars are in our classic cars section.