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good years vs bad years MG Midget

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gsalt57tr3

gsalt57tr3

Jedi Warrior
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I find myself with sudden access to 4 MG Midgets at very reasonable prices. There is a 73, a 76 and 2 79s. This is in Calif so the 73 would be smog requirement free. These cars have been in storage for most of the last 20 years, in a very dry climate.

Are any years better than others?

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
I personally would opt for the earlier one. The smog components are a pain at best just to get the car running right let alone trying to pass a smog test (which we luckily don't have to deal with here......YET)
 
I concur. Go for the earlier car. The 1500 motor has issues like wanting to throw the thrust washers off the crank. The A series engine is very strong and high revving and there are literally tons of ways to upgrade and/or modify it to reach whatever power level you could want and no worries about smog inspection. The chassis are pretty much the same on all Midgets except the later rubber bumpers put the car at a disadvaantage as far as handling due to their weight.
I prefer my 65 as the low, thin buckets allow me to fit in the car easily. I had a 72 and could barely get in or out with the top up due to the bigger seats.
 
I totally agree with Tom. Given the option, go for the 1275 car. Lighter, nimbler, better looking, and far more reliable.
Jeff
 
[ QUOTE ]
I had a 1973 Midget. It really was a great little car. Best of all no rubber bumpers.

[/ QUOTE ]

My Midget is a 71 and I love mine. When I was shopping I only looked at that chrome bumpers and not the late 74's. Whichever you choose I am sure you will have a great time.
 
I own a 77 1500, but if I were in Cali, I would go for anything that did not require the smog inspection. There are numerous posts on BCF on the woes trying to get these cars to pass. I do love my 1500, though having never owned an earlier car, I am somewhat biased. A lot comes down to preference, usually chrome vs rubber bumpers. I do love chrome, but I also think that a nicely done RB midget can be just as sharp. <<EDIT>>I think that last comment was most likely a little biased on my part as well /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif <</EDIT>>
 
I would have to agree with everyone and look for a chrome bumper 1275 vehicle. I knew nothing about MG's when I bought my 76 rubber bumper and am pleased with the car. But, I will always have the notion in the back of my mind that I would have rather had a 1275 and some chrome bumpers instead of the big rubber beasts hanging off the car.
JC
 
Daughter and I are rebuilding a 73 Midgit. We are in Nor Cal. I would take the older car too.
 
I've a '63 Midget, a '74 round wheel arch Midget, & a '77 Midget....for just plain fun, you can't beat the '63....the '74 is fun and a bit more refined & powerful than the '63....& I hate the '77!
 
Me and My 73 agree!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

JACK
 
I found this forum while researching midgets. I'm thinking of buying one, and have similar tasstes to the others expressed here (chrome bumpers). Am I correct in thinking the last year for chrome was '74? Also, I really like wire wheels and knockoffs. Some of the cars I've seen have them, some don't. Is it a big deal to change them?
 
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