MG Midget Forum

So in reading thru some of the comments on one of the recent threads (1098 vs 1275 Rebuild) Mike Joy made the comment that since these little cars were inexpensive and not very valuable making the upgrade mods like larger engines, disc brakes and others would not deter from the values of the cars from an originally standpoint. First of all - I agree 100% with Mike and made many upgrades that he suggested to my 63' Sprite after he visited my equipment yard early this year and took a look at my build project. My question to Mike, Hap,Gerard and others in the know on this site is why???? With classic cars skyrocketing in value (Barrett -Jackson prices as an example), why aren't these little cars worth as much as comparable early 60's American sports cars. My little Sprite is almost done and I have no intention in selling it after spending over a year tearing it down, rebuilding it and putting it back together but it's a mystery to me why these little classics have not increased in value as much as some old MOPAR model!

Well, America never really built sports cars the way the europeans or japanese did. Most of ours died early deaths. The only one that survived was the corvette. Let me list a few. Partly because out of all of the ones I can think of, only the corvette was the closest to being a true sports car while still being produced in large enough quanities and backed by a big enough manufacturer. I am limiting this list to 1950's and 1960s cars

Nash-Healey
Crosley Hotshot
Kurtiss-Offenhauser
Cunningham C2,C3, C4R
Thunderbird (well sort of 1rst gen got pretty close)
Ford GT40
Kaiser-Darrin

Anything with 4 doors doesn't count. Anything with rear seats that can actually fit an adult that doesn't have both his legs amputated at the knee doesn't count. Mutangs, camaros and all those other muscle cars don't count. So yeah true american sports cars (apart from corvette) are quite rare and highly valued.

Spridgets on the other hand were and are still fairly plentiful. The most desirable model, the bugeye is the most sought after and fetches the highest prices. (nearly 20 grand in some cases). Even though MG Midget cost more than the Austin Healey Sprite, the value of the two has somewhat been reversed because of the association between the big Healey and the sprite. Those who cant afford a big Healey can get started with a sprite. There were a lot more models of Mg made than austin healey. Spridgets also compete in the market for much larger and more powerful cars, as well as other a-series engined cars like the mini. There are some examples that do fetch a LOT of money, like a pair of 1967 lemans sprites that went on ebay for a very very high price (deservedly high), but they need a certain extra special provenance. True sebring sprites will fetch a lot of money too. Spridget prices are gradually rising some, but the more inteesting examples and rarer examples get attention first.

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Seth Jones

1971 MG Midget

www.SpridgetGuru.com

Here is a thought. They were of low quality when new. So if you have a pristine example ... it is a pristine example of crap.
Are 1976 corvettes fetching high prices? No. Same reason.

I might have a bit of troll in me this morning. I better get some coffee.

Exactly right Trevor. These were bottom of the barrel cheap cars when brand new. They still are today. I've owned a bunch and still have three today. I have another car that cost $60 thousand when new in 1990. My Spridgets are more fun.

I have first hand expierence as to the questionable quality of these cars (of course 50 years later) but these cars were not much worse than the 65' Fastback Mustang that I owned for thirty years. The old MOPAR, GM and Ford cars were not much better either. It just seems to me that ANY car that's the age of these cars that's still running around (and most have been at least partially restored) would generate more interest and money in the resale market. I keep hearing about how many of these cars are still around but at least in the area I live in (central NC) I rarely see one on the road. (Maybe they are all sitting around in garages not being driven) I see these old un restored, basically junker, Fords, Chevys, Dodges and old VW Bugs for sale on Craigslist and other sites that bring four times what these cars do.

Trying to figure out the collector car market will make your head spin. Recently Isetta's have apparently gone nuts! A friend that has made a very good living out of restoring 60's Mustang's told me that in his opinion the thing that made an old car appreciate was that it had to be something that people lusted after when they were young and couldn't afford but after getting older and having some wealth had to have. If that is the test I'm afraid the cars we like were always affordable and anyone that ever wanted one had their fix a long time ago! Don't expect those crazy priced cars of today to alway's keep appreciating. Once that generation gets too old or is no longer around the cars will stagnate just as all the stuff from the 30's and before have today. [ I may be all wet on my observation as they just sold a Model A Ford at auction in my town for 10K. Solid but in need of restoration!]

Personally be happy your car isn't selling for crazy collector money. When I though I would scratch my itch for a Lotus I hadn't realized they have apparently reached the collector status...kinda takes the fun out of it. I had a E type and sold it because I no longer could feel comfortable driving the collector car and be happy these cars aren't so nondescript like most of the Japanese cars from the 60's and 70's that are impossible to get part's for.

Kurt

BE's definitely carry a premium over Spridgets. As I look at auctions on EBay I see well restored BE's in upper teens to mid 20's on a regular basis. Spridget especially early Mk II cars are virtually the same car for $10k less or more. That BE bonnet / cuteness factor commands a premium price. Parts previously unavailable are being renanufactured and we can actually out one of these back together better than new.

Thanks, Mike.

Yes, cute sells… Isettas, Fiat Jollys, Amphicars, Gogomobils, Messerschmidts, bugeye Sprites, Crosleys, Metropolitans and other microcars have done well lately. But that rising tide doesn't lift all boats.

Mass-produced basic cars in many categories remain good values in the collector car market. The Spridget cost under $2,000 new. Its values will likely always trail the MGA/MGB/MGC class of sports car, and it will languish in the same price category as the Fiat 850 and X1/9, Nissan Pulsar, Honda CRX, Pontiac Fiero, Triumph Spitfire, and eventually, Mazda Miata.

Similarly, Pintos, Falcons, Vegas, Chevy IIs, Gremlins, Hornets, Valiants and Darts fall far below Mustangs, Camaros, Javelins, Cudas, Firebirds and Challengers on the $$$ scale.

Four doors will usually be worth less than two-doors, and coupes less than convertibles… all due to supply, demand and desirability.

I love Spridgets… spent a great afternoon today putting 75 backroad miles on my '72. Fun to drive, inexpensive to buy and maintain. How can you beat that ??

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to paraphrase Mark Twain:

. . . . . "I never learned anything when I was typing! . . . . .

Thanks MIke and others for taking the time to respond, enlighten and educate me on the monetary value of my little car. I love the comment "That rising tide doesn't lift all boats" but you killing me with the comparison to the Pintos,Vegas, and Gremlins. Maybe by the time my Grandson gets this little car (he's 6 now) the reality of how cool these little cars really are would be recognized and appreciated by others who have never driven one through the Blue Ridge Mountains on a sunny fall day!

I put mine up in the "For Sale" section, and won't budge on the price!

http://www.mgexp.com/registry/GAN6UF157695G

Steve

Too funny. Glad to know someone nearby who has a Midget 1500 as well (I'm in Longwood)!

The group of people who desire MGs is aging out. The demand will continue to decrease along with the prices, unfortunately. Another factor is there is no current marquee to build interest in the next generation. Only possible resurrection I can foresee is if it is featured prominently in a cartoon movie.

Well, I agree to a point. There are also getting to be fewer cars and lots of interest among the younger generation. Unfortunately it seems the younger generation has only been taught how to use a key board and are mostly clueless about auto's. I don't think the prices will decline but mostly just remain where they are. What I see as the biggest problem for our cars in the future is the lack of quality parts. Its deterring many today.

Kurt.

My grand kids want me to give them my LBCs when I croak. The catch is they have no interest in maintaining them. When something needs attention the cars will just languish in field. They should have new Jap cars, not a LBC. I clearly paid too much for my cars because that's what I had to pay to get them. Selling is another issue. There aren't a lot of folks who are desirous of my little cars even though 1 is pretty rare in North America. When the time comes I'll have to settle for what I can get. Clearly not an investment. While I can, I'll enjoy them for what they are, modify to my taste, and be called a DPO by the next owner.

After driving mine, three young (late teens early 20s) men are scouring Craigslist ads looking for one of their own.

It up to us to inform and educate younger people on how much fun these are.

My son is very proud of his sharp Estoril Blue BMW 4 series… no one notices. When he drives my Midget, everyone want to stop him and talk about it. He believes!

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to paraphrase Mark Twain:

. . . . . "I never learned anything when I was typing! . . . . .