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1972 Midget - possible purchase

Posted by drewsmum 
phyl m
west hills, USA   usa
1965 MG Midget MkII "Ruby"
Hi,

Well the 1973 Midget hasn't really worked out so now I'm going to look at a 1972 Midget which looks a lot more 'original'. It's got a rebuilt 1275 engine, new clutch overhaul, New pressure plate, new disc new release bearing, new master cylinder, new hose and new slave. He's says there's no rust. It's also got a new canvas top. I'm going to look tomorrow afternoon. He's asking $3950.

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7mg2 Avatar
Andrew Hardie
Calgary, Alberta, Canada   can
1969 MG MGC GT "Mr "C""
1972 MG Midget
You've got a square arch car there which would mean no newer than late '71. '72's thru '73's had round rear arches.
The slam panel has an emissions sticker from a post '72 car (likely a '74) which could mean that has been swapped out. The car has had a color change too, originally white it seems.
There's a lot to question here,perhaps even be scared of especially at his asking price. I wouldn't part with more than $2000 - $2500 without giving it a thorough inspection.



Andy
ChrisCo Avatar
Chris Collins
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada   can
It looks like it has an original lucas alternator, which was introduced in '72, while the body is a '71. Also, the Rostyle rims are '72 or later. It's missing the heater, but if you're in the southern states, that might not matter. It's also missing the trim on the grille.
Looks to me like a combination of parts from different years, so not as 'original' as you might think. What's the interior like? What's the Vin#? Also check the engine #. It's located on the front passenger side of the block. If it starts with 12V, it's a low-compression engine from a '72-'74. If it starts with 12C, it's a pre-'72.

I agree with Andy, I'd look it over for any other potential hidden problems.

Also, fwiw, I have mirrors in the same place as the pictured car, and they are less than useless spinning smiley sticking its tongue out

-Chris

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phyl m
west hills, USA   usa
1965 MG Midget MkII "Ruby"
Thanks for the info. Here's a picture of the interior.
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7mg2 Avatar
Andrew Hardie
Calgary, Alberta, Canada   can
1969 MG MGC GT "Mr "C""
1972 MG Midget
That looks really good, my original offer number goes up, but his asking price is still pretty steep.
Chris's comments are right on.



Andy

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phyl m
west hills, USA   usa
1965 MG Midget MkII "Ruby"
OK, just asked the seller and here's his response:
'The car was built in september of 1971. But is labeled as a 1972. The vin is GAN5UC108659. The engine # 12C/DA/H 30534.'
pmcmain Avatar
Paul McMain
Kokomo, IN, USA   usa
I am almost finished restoring a '72. I looked at a reference book and it said the round arches started in October '71 so the 72 model year. Maybe yours is a '71 and sold as a 1972. Overall it looks pretty good, but the amount of rust makes a real big difference. Since it has been repainted based on the light colored firewall, it is really hard to tell what repairs that might have been done and the quality of the repairs. I could see some rust on mine but when I stripped off the paint I found prior repairs and bondo. When I stripped all the rustproofing from the underside and wheel wells I found more small holes and weak areas. Rust is really the expensive repair.

If I had it to do all over I would find a car that had not be repainted so what you see is what you get. Even if never repainted you will find more rust that you will initially see.

I would check the compression and pay attention to the oil pressure. Transmission repairs can be costly especially considering the engine has to come out for transmission repair.

7mg2 Avatar
Andrew Hardie
Calgary, Alberta, Canada   can
1969 MG MGC GT "Mr "C""
1972 MG Midget
In reply to # 2131616 by drewsmum OK, just asked the seller and here's his response:
'The car was built in september of 1971. But is labeled as a 1972. The vin is GAN5UC108659. The engine # 12C/DA/H 30534.'

OK, according to Horlers "Original Sprite & Midget" the round wheelarches started with GAN5 105501 in October of '71, so something's definitely wrong with this car.
The engine # isn't correct even for a '71 as there was a change to the oil filter at engine #30847 in JUNE of '70.

So it would appear this car has the serial number of a round wheelarch car and the engine of a much earlier car. Not an issue if originality is not a requirement and the car is solid. As previously mentioned, rust in these unit construction cars, is potentially very expensive to repair properly.



Andy
AmishIndy Avatar
Seth Jones
Wheaton, IL, USA   usa
1971 MG Midget MkIII "Guenevire"
2007 Mazda 3 "Porco Rosso"
the 12CD engine number points to a 1970 or earlier car. a 1971 car should have a 12CJ engine. Wheels are from a '72 and shouldnt be a solid color. Headrests are missing Gauge bezels are from a 72 or later. Shift knob is from a miata or something. Horn push looks like its from a 1970, but the spokes arent angled up so the steering wheel might be from a 71.

At least it still has dual SUs. Given the condition of the rest of the car, I half expected to see a webber DGV. also nice that he didnt add stainless rocker covers.



Seth Jones

1971 MG Midget

www.SpridgetGuru.com

James E Avatar
Jimmy Campbell
Bedford, Va, USA   usa
Again You found a nice car. If You buy it get some check straps for the doors so You don't mess up the paint!
phyl m
west hills, USA   usa
1965 MG Midget MkII "Ruby"
Thanks everyone for all the great advice. What's a check strap and where does it go on the door (do you have a picture?)

73midget Avatar
Chris Edwards
Texas, USA   usa
the check strap is a fabric strap that stops the door from swinging too widely, it "checks" the swing of the door. without it, the door is mroe than capable of opening beyond 90 degrees which will put a nice vertical crease in the A pillar.

It goes from the door to the body. I have drawn it in green on your picture. It's a $20 part available from Moss, VB, the usual suspects. You'll need 2.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/28/2012 10:14AM by 73midget.
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AmishIndy Avatar
Seth Jones
Wheaton, IL, USA   usa
1971 MG Midget MkIII "Guenevire"
2007 Mazda 3 "Porco Rosso"
He probibly also woyld need the hardware that goes with the strap since i dont see it in the pictures. Moss calls them the retainer and the bracket (240-805 and 240-815) as well as two screws to hold them in.



Seth Jones

1971 MG Midget

www.SpridgetGuru.com

phyl m
west hills, USA   usa
1965 MG Midget MkII "Ruby"
Well, went to see it today and from a distance it looks good. However, it needs a lot of work. The paint job is terrible, flaking, cracks, drips. The bodywork was pretty good - didn't find signs of rust - maybe a small repair over one of the wheel arches, but there were holes all over the place - where mirrors had been repositioned, rack removed on back etc. The boot and the bonnet weren't aligned properly. Inside there was a rip in the driver's seat, the door panels needed replacing and they had a goo like substance around the edges. There was no turn signal stick, no choke, temp gauge didn't work. I test drove it and the pressure gauge only showed 20 psi - the guy said that it gradually gets higher and stays at about 60 at speed. There was also some oil leaking at the far back of the engine. It drove well, the transmission seemed good - no rattle in first. No unusual noises from the engine. He still wanted around $3500 for it and it's definitely not worth that.

Still looking sad smiley
7mg2 Avatar
Andrew Hardie
Calgary, Alberta, Canada   can
1969 MG MGC GT "Mr "C""
1972 MG Midget
Phyl, you made a good choice in walking away thumbs up



Andy

AmishIndy Avatar
Seth Jones
Wheaton, IL, USA   usa
1971 MG Midget MkIII "Guenevire"
2007 Mazda 3 "Porco Rosso"
All the warning signs were there from the pictures. You did the right thing.



Seth Jones

1971 MG Midget

www.SpridgetGuru.com
walshja Avatar
joe W
ct, USA   usa
Not sure if this is even an accurate benchmark anymore, but when I bought my car, a 1974, back 4 or 5 years ago, I paid $5k.

my car is truly all original: paint, interior, engine, and had 48k mile on the odometer. the car runs perfect and needs nothing but a new temperature gauge (which I have)

the only new items on the car is the top, and brakes, filters and fluids. still has all the original hoses/clamps, stickers, carpets and suspension.

just throwing that out for you to help you set a price for cars you look at in the future.

ppeteo Avatar
Pete Ottewell
Staffordshire, United Kingdom   gbr
You did right to run!eye popping smiley
pmcmain Avatar
Paul McMain
Kokomo, IN, USA   usa
I would look for a car with original paint that claims to be rust-free. Also one that is running so you can enjoy it and check it out before any major down time for repairs. If I had it to do all over again that is what I would do. Interior replacement and even an engine rebuild is much less costly that body panel replacements and fabrication. I have a lot of receipts to support my position.

jim jensen
cleveland, USA   usa
...west hills- california....?.....yeah- way too much.....for 3500 you should find a good western or southern car on ebay.........jim

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