PROJECT ON HOLD ~ 1961 MG Midget
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Project On Hold: 1961 MG Midget
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1961 MG Midget Photo Gallery
Here is a "Cute Car". It is also quite rare.

This is a 1961 MG Midget Convertible (very similar to an Austin Healey Sprite).

This MG Midget is the first year of production! We are not sure if it is "numbers matching" (meaning the original engine for the car) but we will research this later.

This MG was an abandoned project that we purchased from a couple who had lost interest in the project.

It was a non running car with parts missing. The body received lots of new metal fabrication to the floors and new rocker panels. The person who did the metal and welding work did a very nice job.

The previous shop who tried to do the body and paint did not perform the work properly.

There was excessive use of body fillers, none of the panels fit properly (the doors were hitting the front fenders, the fenders were hitting the rocker panels and the top coat of paint was reacting to the original old lacquer paint that was not removed).

The first step was to check the motor. The previous owner claimed to have the motor rebuilt, but could not get it to run properly.

We removed and rebuilt the carbs, adjusted the timing and replaced leaky gaskets. With fresh fuel (from a portable can) we were able to get it running and adjusted the idle and throttle. The little MG ran great!

With the engine running fine, the next step was to perform the body work properly.

The front hood and fenders were removed from the body along with the doors and trunk lid. The rear bumper, lights and trim were also removed along with the gas tank and filler assembly.

Countless layers of paint, primer and excessive amounts of body filler was removed from the body and the fenders, doors, hood and trunk lid.

A special two part black epoxy was applied to all surfaces to protect and seal the metal before the first coats of grey high build primer was applied.

Many hours of block sanding and smoothing was next. With the body getting smoother, the other panels were dry fitted back onto the car.

This is an important step. We wanted to be certain that the fenders, doors, hood and trunk lid fit and aligned to the body correctly.

With all of the panels bolted back on the car and adjusted, the sanding and smoothing continued. Once we determined that all of the panels fit well and were perfectly smooth, they were removed from the body and prepared for finish paint.

We made a custom Cherry Red Metallic paint for this MG (with special sparkle metallic).

The original MG was never painted a metallic colour, but we decided to build a sporty looking version of the Midget.

With the nice custom paint applied the next step was to reassemble the panels to the car. The windshield was installed along with upgraded custom aftermarket wheel and tire package.

This MG Midget won't look like any other Midget around with all of subtle changes we made. We tweaked the suspension, the exhaust system, dashboard and complete interior.

The front grille was missing when we purchased the car. We decided to replace the grille with a brand new Austin Healey Sprite front grille. We think it gives it a sportier look.

Stay tuned as this "mild custom" build continues.....












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