What car to take today - 1961 MG Midget

[Rata Road]

Today I dug the Midget out. Lovely wee car, being 1961 it's the first year of production, 948cc of raw power!...funny. 

And no the House bus isn't mine lol

 

 

 

 

[Aaron65]

I think the early Midgets without roll-up windows look the best, especially in white (and I normally don't like white cars too much).  Great looking car!

Edited May 26, 2023 by Aaron65 (see edit history)

[Steve_Mack_CT]

Colors really work, and the interior really pops and looks rich on this car.

[Gunsmoke]

Enjoying this thread and seeing a guy exercising his stable of horses, which have a decidedly British ancestry. I have friend who has a similar stable of mostly smallish British makes he exercises regularly, including (from memory) a stunning Austin Healey 3000, TriumphTR6, Bug-eyed Sprite, MG Midget, Austin Mini, late 50's Jag Sedan, an Anglia, Austin Cambridge, Vauxhall Envoy, and a modern Jag XK8 Convertible. All cars in fine fettle! 

[Phillip Cole]

Nice car!  I, too, think the color combination really pops.  Ah, I miss my MG days. But right now I'm not sure I could get in and out of it.  Enjoy them while you're young... enough!

[plymouthcranbrook]

Out of all the British sports cars I owned as a young man I never did have a Midget(or a Sprite) but had friends that did. From a Bugeye on up they all loved them. A bit of a challenge as an only driver but still fun. 

[Rata Road]

I have the original paperwork and it was sold with an optional hardtop which is rare.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mark Shaw]

My first car was a 62 Midget; powder blue.  The 2" roll bar was made with inserts for the front top bow and served as the rear bow.  I installed indoor/outdoor blue carpet (new back then).  It wasn't fast, but it cornered like it was on rails.

Edited May 25, 2023 by Mark Shaw (see edit history)

[Rata Road]

You were a lucky Lad Mark.

They were too expensive here when I was young.

[1912Staver]

That looks like a very nice example. Several Sprites and Midgets in my youth. Lots of great memories. 

 I am mostly a MGA guy these days, but if the right deal ever crossed my path { cheapish project that wasn't a absolute rust bucket } on a Bug Eye or sliding window Spridget I would have a hard time saying no.

[vintage1]

I agree with everyone else that is a great looking car. When I was a teenager a friend of mine had a 71 or 72 Midget, it might not have been fast but it seemed fast especially going around corners 

 

[JamesR]

My sister's boyfriend in high school/college had a Midget. I loved its styling, but when he gave me a ride in it I realized I was too tall to fit in one, practically speaking. I was really disappointed that it was a type of car I could never own. They're still surprisingly affordable.

Edited May 26, 2023 by JamesR (see edit history)

[1912Staver]

How tall are you ? I am just shy of 6'2" and fit in a early Sprite  / Midget quite easily. But a lot depends on how long your legs are compared to your overall height. I just always make sure the seat is fully back and remove the seat cushion { only possible with the early cars. } . fold up an old blanket and sit on that. Drove them that way for years.

[JamesR]

1912Staver, I'm a little over 6-3", so not much taller than you. As coincidence would have it, my son and I drove my Ford to a local car gathering today, and there was a Midget there. I looked into the interior and was surprised to see more legroom in the passenger seat than I would've thought. I can't remember much about the ride I had in one 45 years ago, but I do remember being so cramped that I was very uncomfortable. I was quite thin back then, too, so that wasn't the problem. Are the seats adjustable? Maybe my sister's boyfriend had the seat adjusted up. I can't remember if we tried to adjust the seat or not. He had just recently bought the car, so maybe he didn't know how to adjust it.

[John Bloom]

I have a 1974 midget, and I’m 6’2”.

 

getting in and out is a little bit of an adventure.  Once I’m in, I fit surprisingly well.  It is a little go cart..... so much fun to drive out in the country.

 

[1912Staver]

I agree about getting in and out, that part takes a bit of practice. And the early version cars end up with a bit more space inside. Thinner seat backs, less bulky dash pad and door panels. Every inch helps.