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Newbie question

Mitchell

Freshman Member
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Hello there, my name is Mitchell, I'm looking into picking up a Midget here soon in hopes of having something fun to drive. I know this is probably a very stupid question and im sorry im just trying to learn. What is a Spridget, ive heard of the Sprite and I know what a Midget is but Spridget now sure on that one thanks
Mitchell
 
Spridget is the name give to all Sprites and Midgets. Essentially the Midget is a Sprite, at least until 1973? then there was just the Midget.

All sprites and midgets = spridgets
 
oh ok thanks alot for the info sorry for the stupid question.
thanks
Mitchell
PS if anyone has any idea where i could find a midget for sale in the central PA area that would be great or anywhere in the PA area thanks again
Mitchell
 
Mitchell posted over on the mgcars bbs that he wants to avoid anything with too much 70's styling. Personally, I think the rubber bumpers look OK, esp on a black midget.
 
THat one doesn't look too bad actually. Its not as ugly as some other late 70's midgets ive seen, nice fine, they are in maryland which is a decent drive for me but might be worth it, what do you guys think of it?
Mitchell
PS. dont think i got space for a parts car... alreayd have a camaro in my garage hmm might have to talk to grandma haha.
 
All the 75-79 midgets looked basically the same. They have a 1500 spitfire engine and rubber bumpers. I suspect there is some significant rust under that old respray, but the only way to find out is poking around. Which is why I don't like ebay for buying cars. In your price range, it is best to find one with original paint so that you can determine the extent of body work needed. (Just my 2 cents). Is there a local British car club near you? They could help you find a car and inspect it. There are plenty midgets in the Northeast (Frank hasn't bought them all).
 
Trevor every midget should have a home, no matter how rusty it is. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I agree, but sometimes when people take home one that is too rusty... they lose interest and it gets rustier.
 
I'm not sure, i only know 1 triumph in the area and thast about it, i think he has an old Mini as well but still thats the same person, british cars are not very popular around here, everyone drives an SUV, any spots on the internet to look?
Mitchell
 
If anyone knows any good mailing lists for Pennsylvania or even just the new england area or north east area of USA woudl be great thanks alot
Mitchell
 
Ok i sent an email to Ken Lamers waiting for his response, until then i guess im stuck with looking in the paper, bummer. thanks for the help guys
Mitchell
 
Sorry about all the questions from the stupid kid (ME). Now that im on the search im wondering what you guys think is best, so far ive been told that early 70's woudl be good and late 70's if i dont mind the bumpers, really i dont care i just want my 1st midget, later on i can get picky right now i want something, and it doesnt have to be a midget either cause i dont know the difference between an MGB or a midget (so if anyone wants to fill me in) whats the difference in price to buy and price to restore. Ok hopefull thats it i think the stupid kid might be done with stupid questions for awhile so everyone will bealbe to sit bakc and relax for awhile
thanks
Mitchell
 
I lied one more question. I've heard of putting v8's in mg's is that only MGB's or do they do that in midgets sometimes too, just always been intrested. thanks
Mitchell
 
I'm an outsider here, I don't have a midget or an MG (Fancy an RV8 though). I've seen both with V8s online, but you'll kill any value it has if you do this. If you don't care then that's fine.

MGs afaik have bigger engines, and are worth a bit more apples to apples. With either I'd say buy as much car as you can afford. You'll spend more than the value you add so a restoration job is not the way to go. Personally I like chrome bumpers rather than rubber, but then the market seems to agree with me on that.

Do you want it as a daily driver or a weekend thing?

No flames please. I happen to like Midgets, but the TR accelerates a bit better stock...
 
Which one? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif It turns out that the fastest of the stock midgets is actually the RB ones!

BTW, MGB's have 1.8L engines, and are somewhat larger cars. This means if you're larger than about 5'9" or 180 lbs, you'll probably prefer a 'B. I'm well over both those, and love my rubber bumpered midget (without the bumpers). The engine is out of a Triumph Spitfire for the '75's to end of production (the spitfire 4 is almost identical to the 6 cylinder version in alana's TR-6), instead of a completely different engine series in the chrome bumpered cars. These engines were 948cc, 1098cc, and 1275cc, with the 1275 generally preferred. The MGB has a larger scaled version of the earlier Midget/Sprite 4 cyl powerplant (known as the "A Series"). This MGB powerplant is known (aptly enough) as the "B series." All in all, they're all great fun to drive, but the sprite/midgets are much more spartan than the MGB's or even contemporary Triumph Spitfires which were on a similar price level.
 
Well right now im looking for someting at least on the weekends, i was thinking about it and i dont care if it has chrome bumpers or rubber bumpers, im driving around an 82 rabbit right now and the bumper sticks out about 2 feet and i still like that car so it doesnt matter to me, i just want a decent deal with something i can drive, there are no midgets in this area and i want one cause then ill be cool... ha (first time for everything). Anyway weekends or all the time i dont care. I just want one haha.
thanks
Mitchell
PS. I dont think i want a B or a v8 i just want a midget any year any way i can get one, well i would prefer it need some work so it is less expensive and i can put some of my own into it, i want something to learn on.
 
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