3-Cyl Suzuki Turbo: 1972 MG Midget
The MG Midget started life on a shared platform with the Austin Healey Sprite…actually it was a bit more than simply shared parts — the only measurable difference between the two cars was the shape of the badge. By 1972 the Sprite has been discontinued, but the Midget survived with a low compression engine — but today’s example isn’t anything near stock. Find this 1972 MG Midget custom offered for $8995 in San Gabriel Valley, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.
The first thing that jumps out of the page is that a stock ’72 Midget would have chrome bumpers, and while this one doesn’t have the disfiguring black things that cover most US market ’74+ versions, it does have a strange almost-body colored setup.
Gone is the original A-series 1.3 liter inline-4 and in its place is a 660 cc Suzuki 3-cylinder engine that is boosted with a turbocharger to 85 horsepower according to the seller. The engine is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox and should make for a lively driving experience.
This custom needs some attention to a few details including an appropriate shifter boot, and it needs door cards — probably a few other things too.
See another custom oddball? tips@dailyturismo.com
I am guessing the mill is out of a Suzuki Kei car of some kind (660cc being the upper displacement limit for this class).
How much? Any vestiges of common decency left on this messed up planet will surely evaporate if someone buys this shit can for any more than $899.50. I would buy it just to start it, put something heavy on the gas peddle and takes best how long it will take to grenade. Just dumb.
My apologies gents, this was really as unoffensive I could make a posting about this car.
Either someone took a 1972 and put (painted) rubber bumpers on it, raised the ride height to post 74 spec< removed the pretty dashboard with the toggle switches and put in a post 1974 padded dash with ugly rocker switches and then thought "Now that I have destroyed the value of this 1972 Midget I might as well do an oddball engine swap" (74 Steering wheel, 74 rear wheel arches , pre 68 upholstery – ???, bla bla bla)
Or
I'll Never get this to pass smog, let's see if I can register it as a 72.
Or
Maybe someone else can deal with the wrong year , wrong engine , wrong state problem.
Occam's razor says watch your fingers on this one.
You might get away with registering this in No Title, No Questions, No Waiting, New York, but not in California.
On one hand I suspect this car was going to rot without these questionable changes. With the changes it is on the road and being enjoyed and that's good.
On the other hand, I suspect this is a guy who slapped a bunch of available mismatched stuff into this MG with hopes of making a profit. Could have stayed more original and pleased a greater audience. And that's bad.
I suspect Tom is right and it won't fetch anywhere near the $9k asking price.
Obviously not for everyone but an interesting build. I would prefer all the earlier stuff…bumpers,wheel,dash etc but like the powertrain swap
Obviously not for everyone but an interesting build. I would prefer all the earlier stuff…bumpers,wheel,dash etc but like the powertrain swap