1968 MG Midget

Talk about your cars etc here. Keep it sort of sensible and on topic please.
SiC
It's S small i C
Posts: 9251
Joined: Sun Apr 28, 2019 8:59 am
Has thanked: 1806 times
Been thanked: 5253 times

Re: 1968 MG Midget

Post by SiC »

SiC wrote: Tue Jul 05, 2022 5:20 pm Or this one that's not far from me that been on for a few months now but would be less work. Even if it's the same Iris Blue that my Midget is.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255605770931
Spoke to him briefly by accident on the Frogeye FB page. It is a steel bonnet and he's only had a bit of interest that turned out to be tyre kickers. Sounds like a cracking price (at previous market values) but with the market as it is, I can only see them going down with a lot of other stuff.

I need to sit on my hands and wait out.
User avatar
paulplom
The Geordie Lord, Mario!
Posts: 25916
Joined: Fri Aug 23, 2019 7:01 am
Has thanked: 10190 times
Been thanked: 5434 times

Re: 1968 MG Midget

Post by paulplom »

The problem there is yours will be worth less too when you come to sell.
The Reverend Bluejeans
Prize Cunt
Posts: 6274
Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2019 6:31 pm
Location: Big Al Granvia’s armpit.
Has thanked: 713 times
Been thanked: 2319 times

Re: 1968 MG Midget

Post by The Reverend Bluejeans »

I’m not sure - Frogeyes are overpriced but decent sixties Midgets aren’t. Rubber bumper 1500’s aren’t worth a wank, never have been.
SiC
It's S small i C
Posts: 9251
Joined: Sun Apr 28, 2019 8:59 am
Has thanked: 1806 times
Been thanked: 5253 times

Re: 1968 MG Midget

Post by SiC »

Like a fast Dolomite Vs fast Escort Vs fast BMW 2002, Rubber bumper cars are the typical vehicle that is bought usually because the earlier/more desirable cars are unaffordable. Thus I reckon it pulls up their prices. Always talk of "coming into their own" but they will always never be quite as desirable due to being looked down on.

The earlier Midget to this and especially the 1098cc are supposedly worth more. Don't understand why the 1098 is as the 1275 is a much better engine. But then I don't understand why the Dolomite Sprint is so much less than almost all (even damp) early Escorts! In terms of Midgets, these big bumper 1275 are the pick of the bunch for me. Apparently the later RWA are also desirable but tbh I don't see their values much different to the other BL era Midgets.

Remember I don't intend to do this as a profit making exercise. While covering my costs is always preferential, it's about having fun smashing metal into shape and then using the results of my labour. Tbh I get more fun out of fixing them up a lot of the time than driving.

It's a bit like my wife with her love of baking. While she enjoys eating the results, the process of making it is the bit she enjoys more. Hence she makes cakes for friends/family and charges enough to cover costs + small bit to make it worth while. I just enjoy the eating bit, much like many only just enjoy the driving bit of classics.

Being more expensive and tends to operate in percentage terms, Frogeyes have far further to fall in monetary terms than this. With the things the way they are, I reckon it pays to hold out and wait to see what happens before spunking out on something.

If I make a loss on a the Midget or others but get something else I want then so be it. 🤷‍♂️
Last edited by SiC on Wed Jul 06, 2022 10:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Hooli
Self Appointed Internet God
Posts: 33185
Joined: Mon Apr 08, 2019 9:25 pm
Has thanked: 14105 times
Been thanked: 10988 times

Re: 1968 MG Midget

Post by Hooli »

I've never understood the want for RWA Midgets either, I prefer the normal arch shape as I think it matches the car better.
Private signature, do not read
SiC
It's S small i C
Posts: 9251
Joined: Sun Apr 28, 2019 8:59 am
Has thanked: 1806 times
Been thanked: 5253 times

Re: 1968 MG Midget

Post by SiC »

Apparently, according to the usual classic car (bullshit) "experts", the Austin Sprites without the Healey name are desirable too because they are rare. To me, it just a Sprite with a bad aftermarket grille and someone sticking on the wrong badge. Market seems to agree, not least because they aren't found by buyers as they're searching for a Austin Healey or MG...
User avatar
Hooli
Self Appointed Internet God
Posts: 33185
Joined: Mon Apr 08, 2019 9:25 pm
Has thanked: 14105 times
Been thanked: 10988 times

Re: 1968 MG Midget

Post by Hooli »

Indeed, I remember that was the case in the late 90s when I had mine too. People said those two versions were desirable, but prices didn't seem to reflect it.
Private signature, do not read
The Reverend Bluejeans
Prize Cunt
Posts: 6274
Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2019 6:31 pm
Location: Big Al Granvia’s armpit.
Has thanked: 713 times
Been thanked: 2319 times

Re: 1968 MG Midget

Post by The Reverend Bluejeans »

The RWA 1275 Sprites are as good as they got. Having front and rear arches that actually match is a bonus.

The Dolomites just don't drive as well as the Escort or 2002 and were not as sought after when new. Escorts are stupid money though. £40,000 for a Mexico is just daft.
SiC
It's S small i C
Posts: 9251
Joined: Sun Apr 28, 2019 8:59 am
Has thanked: 1806 times
Been thanked: 5253 times

Re: 1968 MG Midget

Post by SiC »

Was the round arch on the Frogeye to square on the booted car done to strengthen it? Then likewise from RWA chrome to square rubber bumper to re-strengthen from the added weight and crash regs?
If so, is the RWA less rigid? As PhilA mentioned on AS, there isn't a whole lot of metal in the back end of these and especially around the wheel arch cross section area.
SiC
It's S small i C
Posts: 9251
Joined: Sun Apr 28, 2019 8:59 am
Has thanked: 1806 times
Been thanked: 5253 times

Re: 1968 MG Midget

Post by SiC »

eBay has just notified me that £1200 has been knocked off this. That's quite a big chunk considering it looks reasonable condition. Must have little to no serious interest for that to be knocked off. There are plenty of people asking 20k+ for them too.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165563226376

In other related news, my FB post in the midget and sprite club has attracted a bit of attention.
Screenshot_20220706-120748.png
Screenshot_20220706-120748.png (496.54 KiB) Viewed 797 times
I guess a cover car still around 26 years later makes a nice story. Feels like it probably should stay Iris Blue given it's history with it.
Last edited by SiC on Wed Jul 06, 2022 2:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Post Reply