The MG Midget story came from Austin Healey Sprite, designed by Donald Healey and was produced by the MG division of the British Motor Company from 1961 to 1979. There were four types of MG Midgets. There were MG Midget MK I produced from 1961 to 1964, MG Midget Mk II produced from 1964 to 1966, MG Midget Mk III produced from 1966 to 1974 and MG Midget 1500 produced from 1974 to 1980.
MG Midget MK I was simply the replacement of the branding trademark of Austin Sprite MK II. For 1963 the Midget Mk I was given a 1098cc version of the A-series engine, which developed 55bhp, and improved transmission ratios in an attempt to make the car more competitive with Triumphs recently announced Spitfire. At the same time, the twin-leading-shoe front drum brakes were dispense with and replaced with disc brakes. Also, centre-locking wire wheels became an option at this point. This car was also known as ‘Spridget’.
MG Midget Mk II had improved rear suspension, with the quarter-elliptic leaf springs being replaced with semi-elliptic ones, to improve the lateral location of the rear axle and hence improve the car’s tendancy to oversteer. Although the Mark II’s bodywork remained the same, it was fitted with a new curved windscreen and the doors were fitted with wind-up windows and opening quarter-lights. The engine block was strengthened and larger main bearings were fitted, increasing the power to 59 hp (44 kW) at 5750 rpm and torque to 65 lbf·ft (88 Nm) at 3500 rpm.
MG Midget MK III was also the same as the Sprite MK IV but in 1970, the Sprite has dropped their production and so the MG continued to manufacture this car. The engine had been enlarged – this time it had the 1275cc A-series unit developed from the one used in the Mini Cooper S. This engine produces 65bhp. The appearance was slightly different and one of the most important of these was the addition of a folding soft top, which replaced the one that had to be fully removed to be stowed. In January of 1972, the square-shaped rear wheel arches became rounded and a Triumph steering rack was fitted, giving a gearing that was somewhat lower than earlier Midgets. A second exhaust silencer was also added and alternators were fitted instead of dynamos from 1973 onwards. For 1974 model year, rubber bumper extensions were added to the chrome bumpers to meet the first US bumper impact regulations.
MG Midget 1500 replaces the A-Series engine with a 1493 cc unit from the Triumph Spitfire and a modified Morris Marina gearbox with synchromesh on all four gears. It helped the better performance of the car and able to cope with the increasing emission regulations. The 1493 cc engine had a 65bhp power but e produced more torque and faster acceleration by the help of the gearbox installed. The last car was made on December 7, 1979, after 73,899 of the last version had been made. The last 500 cars were painted black.
