Home / MG /

NO RESERVE! 1971 MG Midget with AH Bug Eye Sprite front SPRIDGET! Great Driver!

Make: MG
Model: Midget
Type: Convertible
Year: 1971
Mileage: 73,430
VIN: GAN5UB100435G
Color: White
Engine: 1275
Cylinders: 4
Fuel: Gasoline
Transmission: Manual
Drive type: RWD
Interior color: Black
Drive side: Left-hand drive
Vehicle Title: Clear
Item location: Coatesville, Pennsylvania, United States
Extras
Knock-off Wire Wheels, Convertible

Listed by
Private seller
Enquire

Description of 1971 MG Midget

Back in the day we called this combination a "Spridget".
Not too uncommon in the 60s and 70s. -Not that easy to do, but the idea is you put a Bug-Eye Sprite front end [bonnet] on any later sprite [MKII and above] or any Midget [MKI - MKIII] and you get the great look of the Bug-Eye with the performance and comfort of the newer Midget style car. They were not looked at as all that collectable back then [and most were not done very well, -and didn't look right, so that is probably why] but today these are very hard to find, and one that has been done as well as this one is near impossible to find!
My friend started out to build a good looking road legal vintage race car to use in local hill climb events, so the best of everything was done. But when he found out the requirements to hill climb it called for a welded in roll cage that would not allow the top to fit anymore he just finished it as a great Sunday driver.Well done on a solid rust free chassis this car now really is a true collectable. Put it between the Bug-Eye and the Midget you already have in your collection. It will fit perfectly between them! And being a one of a kind [built as the individual liked it] it's far more rare than either of them!
I welcome all to check this car out and the more knowledgeable of MG Midgets and Austin Healey Sprites you are the better to see the value in this car. The 71 MG Midget [which this is titled as] is a basically rust free car with solid floors, frame rails and all the known "bad areas" are solid! A very good base. The new production fiberglass Bug-Eye Bonnet has been joined very nicely to the front of the Midget, then the REST OF THE MG was Also Changed, as it could be done, to give this car that late 50s early 60s English Sports Car Look. [NOTE: hunting down and fitting an original metal bug-eye hood would be counter productive and just the wrong thing to do for many reasons. The goal is the look when building a custom. This achieved the goal with flying colors]
I watched and helped my friend make this transformation over two years and as you can see it came out great! From the Painted Knock-off Wire Wheels [correct for the Bug-Eye years] to the smaller tail-lights and trunk mounted Luggage Rack and removal of the Midget bumpers [bug-Eyes didn't usually have bumpers -they were optional] this car looks right! And best of all is you get the 1275cc motor [instead of the 948] the Rib-case trans instead of the smooth-case, The fold-down clamp-on top instead of the removable far worse design on the Bug-Eyes, Roll-up windows instead of side-screens, outside door handles instead of reaching inside, and 1/2 elliptic rear leaf springs instead of the very far worse 1/4 elliptic. [Those that know these cars know what I'm talking about] And trunk instead of climbing into the back behind the seats! All good improvements.
Car is not perfect and can be improved some from how it is [mainly talking about flaws in the paint job] [I'll try to add closer pictures as time goes on with this listing, -don't have any close-ups in the computer right now], but as it is this is a good working, good looking, very nice example of a very hard to find [and very few created that are still around] true one of a kind creation. Everywhere you go this will be looked at and admired and asked about. It's fun as can be to drive! And how can you not love that smiling face?!!
As well done as this is [and on this solid body and chassis] this really is a Nice Driver [as you can see from the pictures a real nice 10 footer]. -I would call it just on the border-line of being a show-car.
Price includes extras including an extra rebuilt 1275cc "short-block" engine, extra cylinder head, extra good rib case transmission and a center console that fits a radio so you can put the radio of your choice in the car if you want to.
Any questions e-mail or Call 484 995 one378. [not into texts] - If you get the recording leave a short message and I'll call back-
Thanks, ...Jon
Note: No one bid with under 10 feedbacks without contacting me first. I will remove your bid.
NOTE: Advertised locally so I reserve the right to end this listing early unless it has bids. [I WILL Honor the E-Bay high bid]
This is a local pick-up only auction. You come for this or arrange shipping. [along those lines you may be able to arrange that with me, but if cost matters, look into that or talk to me about it before you bid]
-Can deliver any distance for a negotiated price, but because I am not a shipper I would have to have expenses paid in BOTH Directions! So it will be cheaper to have a professional shipper pick this up and deliver it to you if you are further than 1 or 2 hundred miles away.
$800 deposit due by PayPal within 24 HRS. The balance to be paid within 7 days by cash at pick-up or wire transfer. Can stay here a reasonable time longer till you can come for it or shipper picks it up if paid in full by an agreed method -[maybe a wire transfer]