1976 MG Midget Sitting for 13 Years: Will it Run?
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- Опубліковано 6 жов 2024
- Hey Everyone! So we bought a ‘76 MG Midget from Markerplace! While I’ve got it around let’s see if it’ll run! Then pass it on to a new home! Hope you all enjoy! I love these temperamental little cars and messing with them, hope you all do too! Hope you enjoy! Thank you again for all the love and support!
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this video made me want to get into a midget more than i already did, my grandpa has had one previously (around the 70s and 80s) but he sold it when my dad was born, now that im getting close to getting a job and hes been out of a job for a few years, i really want to buy an older mg and restore it with him, my end goal is go give the mg to him and for him to cherrish it as if he was in the 80s again, anyone think thats a good idea?
I had a 72 midget in 73 and nothing I'd like to see is that car sitting in my drive again . Your dad will love it. Like you dad I had to get rid of it ...being my only car I had a child coming too
I own one in 78, mG just like that but baby blue. It won't start, so I give it away to a friend 😀 he got it fixed.was a beautiful cool ride.,,, memory lane. Thanks for sharing. I also own a MGB green ,a gift from grandaddy. Lots of fun driving.
Sounds sweet, no timing chain rattles, tappets set and not too smokey other than burning off gunk. I'd say it's either low milage or been rebuilt at some time in its life.
I had the same 1976 Midget as yours. And prior to that I owned a 1971 Midget, with chrome bumpers and wire wheels. Both were the same mustard colour. I have been searching for years to purchase another Midget. Thanks for showing your video! It brought back so many wonderful memories.
Around 1974 MG started offering cars with really different colors. They just tried to improve sales I guess. We have a 75 B color is citron. The car colors are a bit more accepted now. Still can’t compare with the dark green and deep red colors. Got a B and. Midget.Always happy to see these cars being restored.
Bringing these things back to life, love it.
The 1275 engine once was the top of the line engine used in the Mini 1275 GT, 58hp to the wheels.Looking forward to the build!
Hello, I just bought my 8th MGB. The last one I sold I said thats it no more. I sold all my books, wentworth tools. I love these cars. I do all the work myself.
Damn, that red one you hacked up is an early '74 RWA Midget, much more worthwhile to restore that the RB beige one!
Hey Michael, love watching your videos here in England, in a sea of loud and self important youtubers you appear to be a very pleasant young man. I have seen most of you newer uploads so now watching these older ones when you still hadn't quite found your feet and haven't even learned to look at the camera are very sweet. Keep up the good work, cheers
I had one of these in UK in the early 80’s. 1977 model with 1275cc engine was great. Loads of fun to drive in all weathers, heater was fantastic. I think the “baby poop brown” colour was officially called British Leyland Savannah. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
My whole family has owned or still own MGs. They are great little cars if you know how to own one. They were enthusiasts cars when they rolled off the line, but before the MX-5, was the best selling 'real' sports car of all time. Thanks for sharing this.
They’re definitely a blast to drive and maintain! 😊
Love your enthusiasm brother. You take on some real challenges...and tackle them in your yard. Inspirational.
Thank you! 😊
Even though you're just getting started, yours is my favorite UA-cam channel right now. Thanks for the great content!
I’m really glad you’re enjoying! and Glad to have you! 😊😊
I liked it when your misses caught you working on a car when you were supposed to be doing something else. Been there done that.
just don't get married, problem solved
cool that u brought her back to life. Someone is going to really enjoy that MG. Wish I lived closer I'd be tempted.
😊
My first car was a brand new '74 Midget, Flame Orange. Came with the added rubber blocks on the bumpers that year. Had the full tonneau cover and all! $2850 delivered!!I
Very fun, but when kids came along we needs more room!😄😄
Look up the MG ADO34 development car. Very few made, never released to the public. First experimental ones were fitted with standard body parts to enable it to be driven and tested on public roads. Could have been a winner !.
I had a 1976 years ago, but it was in mint condition (back int the early 1990s). Loved the fact I had to use the Choke when cold, and once warmed up ran like a champ. We took a BUNCH of long trips with it - we're in Syracuse, and we went to Cape Cod, New Hampshire, Vermont, and throughout the northern NY territory. I was a death trap, but there was such character buzzing along at high speeds, the motor screaming, on the highways on those long trips(as well as a full set of tools for repairs that came along the way). Ah the nostalgia.........
what a blast! unbelievable it started that easy.. must be the electronic distributer and that weber. Those a series engines sound great. lose those horrible bumpers and off you go!
cheers for sharing!
It's an A-Series. Of course it started. They're bulletproof and they always start!
What a great little project, the body looks good and the Webber is a nice bonus
In 1976 that color was called harvest gold. My mom had a matching fridge, stove and dishwasher.
Cool! Thanks for the info! 😊
They are for sure a fun little British car i have in my garage two MGBs a76 and a77 the 77 is totally done and my 76 is a work in process (i also own a1969 Firebird convertible in the family since new). I just love my cars
Sounds like an awesome group of cars!
"Wait, I can explain-"
BAHAHAHAHAHA, man that was funny. We've all been there!
Was never much of a fan of the Midget as my very first car was a 72 MGB Roadster. But watching this video has changed my mind. This particular Midget is in exceptional condition.
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
😆😆😆 great! 😊 that’s a cool first ride!
I knew that would start easily, those old A series engines are tough, but as you rightly said, not so easy with SU's. 👏👏👏👏
😃😃
Keep the parts car too, as this is a rarer '72 to '74 round wheel arch model, and will have had the A-Series 1275cc engine.
@@carlthomas3074 They went back to the square arches as they supposedly make the car more rigid. Something to do with the regulations in the USA.
@@carlthomas3074 because the square shape was structural.... the round arch buckled and they didnt like the warranty claims....
i had a round arch 72 many years ago. still miss her
To meet US federal regulations, large black plastic-covered bumpers were added to the front and rear and the ride heights were increased. The increased ride heights affected handling, and anti-roll bars were added to help with the higher centre of gravity. I think these changes totally ruined a beautiful little car, ironically the little red "parts car" in this video.
I have a 76 midget that hasn't ran since 97. It's been garaged out of the elements and is in good condition. Other projects, haven't had time to work on it but your video has peeked my curiosity. May be interested in parting with it tho.
Lovely mg I remember them well I am enjoying your channel. 🏴😎
_At just 19 years old, I had a '75 MGB almost new in 1977. As much as this British Leyland sports car was fun to drive, it was in the shop more times than I could count. Ended up selling it my Father's banker, then bought a pristine Chevy Corvette and never looked back. Great MG Midget find right here! _*_Subscribed._*
Sometimes they can be that way! Cool! Really glad to have you! 😊
These little cars are so much fun to drive and tinker on.. I've got a '75 Spitfire that will have a full frame-off restoration once space allows! Mine sat for 15 years. we cleaned the fuel tank and it fire right off like yours did! You can bet I'll be covering that project on here! great job!
Awesome! That’ll be a really great little ride! Thank you! 😊
Wow that sounds amazing that mg midget for that do have being not run for 13 years incredible.
Had one just like it in British Racing Green. The car was basically a toy, broke a pinion gear and the motor went on a long trip, British Leyland covered the repairs.
The red parts car is a 1972 round wheel arch model by the look of it. Nicest Midget made, surely worth saving?
Another great vid! I had one exactly like this, same color and all great shape and solid. Had a broken clutch assembly at the transmission. Could never find a replacement part and had to get rid of it. Got it for free so no loss. Look forward to seeing it ready to go.
Parts are everywhere. Too late now though.
IT'S ALIVE!!! . . . Congratulations on resurrecting the 1976 MG Midget. You bought the yellow MG and the red parts car for $1200 dollars?!? Sweet!!!. . . My wife gets worried every time I watch and rewatch your videos, because I am strongly considering buying a late 1980s Porsche 944 project car. Thank you for the encouragement, realistic videos and great youtube content.
Haha she should worry 😉 Do it! It’s so much fun! and there are much worse things you could be doing with your spare time! 😊 so glad you’re enjoying!
A late 80's Porsche 944 isn't something you strongly consider... It's something you do. Go for it!
Your opening always gets me ! I love your enthusiasm!
😁😁
Michael says “wait I can explain” I laughed. I just picked up a 1973 b inspired by your projects how about an su rebuild. In seventy nine I got my first one it was my first car now I will try it again thanks for your work
Great little car and well done on getting it running 👍. Good to see more British cars being saved. I never liked the rubber bumpers on the US market they make them look stupid. Retro fit chrome ones.
I’ve got a set for it 😉
The 1275 was the best engine in the BMC Mini range. Very tuneable, very reliable with correct servicing. I had a 1275 GT motor grafted into a Mini pick up truck, a little rocket ship.. Saw a version of the Midget you have there with the full transverse engine set up front wheel drive from the Mini. Factory built experimental model, several produced but never went into full production.
BMC did try to replace this with a hideous Mini FWD thing. These are a Healey based car. 1275 engines don't last long like all other a series motors very weak 3 bearing crank.
Wow you did a good job getting two cars on one trailer we call that colour in England hearing aid 👂Brown 🤣
Haha that’s a great name! 😅
its harvest gold actually
I had a Weber setup on my 1973 VW Squareback wagon and she was a beauty. Nice load job on the MG and parts car onto your trailer but didn't love the unloading of the parts car, lol. Thanks for sharing and for the entertainment.
Sweet! Haha my back didn’t love it either....😅 Glad you’re enjoying! 😊
I like that car! The color and the top is what does it for me.
Cars are so cheap over there but here in Australia everyone wants top dollar for their cars even the junk cars , your so lucky as i love small sports cars
Sorry it’s that way! They’re a fun little car to drive!
I love the A-series. One of the best engines ever, esp. in the MG cars with a bit of a tune.
They’re definitely pretty bullet proof!
Jonathan Watmough this one is a rubber bumper model though so it has the Triumph 1500 engine from the Spitfire
@@mike390099 I think he specifically mentions the engine wasn't the 1500, but the smaller 1300/1275.
You can confirm by looking at some pictures. Carbs on the US p/s for the 1500. On the US d/s for the A-series.
The pictured car is an A-series.
@@mike390099 that engine sound is unmistakably A-Series engine though
Why change the rocker cover for a tin one ? the ribbed one quietens any tappet noise and helps keep the top end cool and leave the Webber alone, it will give better performance and more miles to the gallon once tuned.
Dude, I can't believe you're almost to 30k!
Do the Budget Buildz wiggle!!!!
😁😁😁😁 can’t thank you all enough! I’m doin it! 😄
MG used the Austin or BMC A series engines , the engine ranges from 850 cc to 1800 cc and we're all 8 valve engines .
The 1275 variant that you have in the beige MG was also used in the mini 1275 GT
they made 62 HP
Mike Mike , 62 HP on standard carb and cam !!
@@simonleavesley3986 Correct !!
@@cota2472000 , me and my dad had many hours of fun on numerous projects when I was a teenager , my favourite was a Morris minor traveller , full restoration but Morris marina 1800 with 4 speed overdrive instead of the 1100 , that was the first car I drove that I had actually , rebuilt with my own hands , and what a sound !! 1800 standard block , skimmed ported and polished head all polished intake sat on twin Webber dcoe carbs , nice fast flow manifold , glass pack flash box and a big bore 2 back box !! Proper street sleeper , I miss that car 😔 was one of the last ones we built .
@@simonleavesley3986 Sounds like you had a Proper Bringing up :).I've had Sprite MK IVs,Midgets and Bs.I currently have a 70 GT that i will be going through this summer.Cheers.
Excellent! Your Midge looks like it`s on a drip. Get well soon Midge!😉👍
Trailer loading skills = level complete! I still see these little cars quite often here in the UK.
Haha gotta make do! 🙂 cool!
I have similar challenge just picked up a 66 Austin Healey Sprite with removable hardtop and its been in a warehouse here in California since 83 so will see what she will need to get her going everything 😂.....
Happy to see yet another video from you. Breaking the trend with restoring supercars..
My heart is in these old, quirky and odd cars.
Guys... Let´s push for 30.000 subs...
Glad you’re enjoying! 😊 we just hit it! Thank you all so much! ☺️
Always nice to see an old Brit across the pond. The 1275cc is the Mini GT/Clubman/Cooper engine and is as bulletproof as they come, if you can source one the MG Metro Turbo turbo charger bolts onto this exact engine and that was pretty manic to drive as it had quite good torque bands in each gear, think it was the smallest one Garrett produced. The one to try is the Triumph GT6 or the V8'd MGB both exceptional cars and you can drop a Triumph Stag V8 into the GT6 or a Rover 3.5 V8.
I can't believe what you do with vehicles. I haven't had one for going on 10 yrs. now. My ex-wife took the only car we had, took out a title loan and had repossessed. I'm on SSD and couldn't afford tax, licensing, title and upkeep. You seem to do miracles, not really, but you do well. Good luck with what you do and God Bless.
Thanks for saving that fun little car
The colour is Harvest Gold, a British Leyland colour that was very popular in the UK at the time. Brilliant video, really enjoyed it.
Thanks for the info! Glad you enjoyed! 😊
Love the mg's ! wow that was a great sound when it varroooom !!
I have some front fenders for that car if you want them, LOL, they were in my dad's basement and I was wondering what they were for over the past 2 years. The little logo at the bottom and hood post gave it away.
"Wait! I can explain!" Sounds about right for the long-suffering wife of a petrolhead! 🤣🤣 Great channel, great enthusiasm, looking forward to seeing your projects develop. Salutations from an MG owner in Ireland ☘️
Haha Yeap 😁😁 Glad you’re enjoying and Glad to have you!! 😊
"Wait, I can explain"... If I had a nickle! Another great episode!
Pretty much! 😅😅 thank you! I’m glad you’re enjoying! ☺️
My first car in 1970 was a ‘65 Midget. That’s why I know how to work on cars!
Sweet! Haha Yeap they’ll keep you working on them! 🙂
The correct name for the colour is ‘harvest gold’ . Iirc you could get 75bhp out of the 1275cc pretty easily if you want to. The same motor ran through the eighties in that tune (MG metro, BL Maestro, various other Metros). Your MG is a colour called ‘blaze red’.
Thanks so much for the info!
that thing sounds killer! great exhaust tone.
Just found your channel. This car is a good project for someone..
Looks like you had a good deal, a running car, plenty of parts, and a parts car. Looks like you have plenty of room at your house, here in the UK if you have a garage it's too small to fit a car in together with your tools, and your be lucky to fit two or three cars on the front. I wish you luck, and keep it up, it's a great channel to watch.
I’m sorry I complain about the size of my garage! 😕 thats sounds terrible! Especially with how the weather can be over there! I’m really glad you’re enjoying! 😊
Two videos in one week awesome
😃
I'm 16 and I bought a 1275 Midget in June , I'm so happy to finally find a well made vid of one
Awesome! That’ll be a great first car! I’m really glad you enjoyed! 😊
@@BudgetBuildz It would be awesome buttttttt my insurance would be £6000 a year !!
Nice MG a cool fun car to do up I had on in New Zealand and it was awesome fun road trips
The MG is the same color as the 72 that I had. A sort of yellowish brown. Loved that car but it was a pain in the ass to keep on the road.
The MGs are a lot of fun, my brother had one in the late 60s and I really enjoyed it! You made a good deal!
Awesome! They’re great fun to drive! 😊
Yeah I love especially building driving and working on all the brit sports cars. Loads of fun and easy to work on
Great job
Thank you!
Awesome little car. I'd like to hear what. you take for it when all is said and done. Good deal.
See our Brit stuff it tough! Got few MGBs myself here over the pond. Great vid, love the "wait I can explain" lol, been there!
Glad you enjoyed! 😁😁
Ive gotta 79 MGB. I'd like to have a Intake/Exhaust set up like that. Cool Find.
Sweet! Intake and header can be found on eBay and Moss Motors 🙂
just bought back my 74 spitfire last week, have fun
Sounds like a fun project!
That little 76 sounds great I'd love to find a haul like that that hardtop is hard to get same with he heater fresh air intake hose
Definitely so! Cool you noticed that, it’s going on the orange car as well! 🙂
Go little MG!!! Your doing good on the build.
Would love to see the beige and the old orange one being restored to their original glory with the help of parts from other 2
Great to see you got some parts you needed. I am waiting to see you get back on the Porsche.
We’re working on it! 🙂 just a long stretch with getting the floors in and weather fighting us! I can’t wait to get it on wheels in the next few weeks and get it in the garage!!
I love them little sport cars. Maybe when i stop traveling and get a brick home i will get one.
I really love driving ours! They are a blast! 🙂
I love brit sports cars too Triumph and MG/MGA/MGB and others, but mostly those two.
Love that wrommm sound
I had one the same color. No rollbar or hardtop though. Just a tonneau cover.
I'm 6'4" but I fit in it okay.
Body work looks very good for its age.
Amazing how little body rust! That engine is from 1920-about the simplest ever made-easy to fix.
Hey there! I have a very similar (same color 1975 midget 1500) and I am planning on swapping a 1275 in, just like this one! It got me really motivated, and I’d love to see more of it!
My car sat in a Michigan field for 15 years! Very similar!
That’ll be a great project! 🙂
Wow - great oil pressure! That little A series engine is a tough little thing. I have the slightly later car with the 1500 engine. Nice video.
Awesome! 🙂 thank you!
rubber bumpers US model 1976 is a 1500
Those a series are tough old engines
Yes they are!
You got a good deal there. I have driven a 1500 MG Midget and it is equally terrifying and fun at the same time. You feel every bump in the road and it is like you are driving with backside just about 50mm above the road surface which gives you a real rush as going 30mph feels like 70mph. Having the hard top makes a big difference in making the car usable in all seasons, as I have yet to find a MG soft top that does not leak with the water usually ending up in your lap. Have fun guys they certainly don't make them that any more.
We never put the top back on ours, because we knew it would simply be a fair weather care. Now that we have the hard top we can drive it all the time! They really are a blast aren’t they! 😊
@@BudgetBuildz where you buy your mgs parts? thanks
That really will make a nice project for maybe Father and Son to work on.
Yes it would! 🙂
I love this car! My mom had the same car it was suppose to be mine but time got hard she had to sell her. Made me so sad.
I’m sorry I hope you can get it another some day!
that was the original color of my midget...it is now two-toned cream and tan. have had it for 37 years.
Awesome!
Thanks for the deal on the Midget! I’ll keep you updated on the progress( and may even ask a few questions along the way).
Absolutely Kevin! 😊 Hope you enjoy it!
@@BudgetBuildz Wait wait wait, the midget in the video??!
I had a couple of MGBs, a bug eyed Sprite, a Triumph Spitfire, and a Sunbeam Alpine. I'm not so sure I'd wast my time on an MG Midget.
We own a ‘73 that we built and it’s an awesome car to drive, to each their own.
wow at the parts..could finish my car with that lol
That was funny, "wife caught me working....wasn't supposed to be". "Wait, I can explain...." Lol
😅😅
You should make the parts car a matching trailer .... for the poo brown one
Those MGs are are awesome, it*s sad to see the state of the red one, those are two unique models, the yellow one is from 1974 on & the red one has the older steel bumpeŕs.
Carb and choke cleaner is just about the worst thing to spray into a carb to start an engine, because it will instantly strip any lubricant off the bores, at the exact moment that you need lubricant the most. Pouring petrol down the carb is almost as bad, but petrol still offers a certain amount of lubrication. The only really safe way of starting a car in this way is some kind of ether spray with an upper cylinder lubricant, so that the bores don't operate without oil for those critical first few seconds.
Damn! A lotta hate for the SU carbs! I know with the Datsun L series engines the downdraft Weber isn't even an upgrade. It's more like a band aid for folks who don't want to tune the SU's.
They do run quite well on 1" 1/4 twin SU carbs but they do need balancing
If that MG MIDGET was for sale here In the UK just then car one it's own would be around £2500 in that condition to you got an amazing deal