1971 MG Midget
Started on Feb. 10, 2003, 2:29 p.m.
Eclectic Motorworks’ Carl Heideman set out to make a Miata-killer of our “rust-free” 1971 Midget.
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Latest Project Updates
Jul 13, 2009
Inside Our Midget Motor
The nuts and bolts of making a fast, reliable and streetable Midget motor.
May 19, 2009
Thoroughly Modern Midget
How drivable is our Midget? We piloted it on a 1200-mile journey from Carlisle to find out.
Feb 2, 2009
Worth the Wait
It’s been a long wait, but the results of our engine rebuild are worth it.
Jun 17, 2006
Runs and Drives
Today was the day to fire up the Midget and take it for a drive.
Jun 16, 2006
Almost There
We finish off the interior.
Jun 14, 2006
MG Almost Ready to Run
We continue the push to get our MG roadworthy.
Jun 5, 2006
Closer to Running
We finish up more details to get the Midget running.
Jun 4, 2006
Putting the Front On
Hanging the front body work
Jun 3, 2006
Thrashing Away
We are scrambling to get the car running for MG2006.
May 17, 2006
Getting the Interior Going
We put “in” the interior.
Mar 29, 2006
On the Ground!
It’s finally a roller.
Jan 15, 2006
Front Suspension Installed
Putting together the new front end.
Dec 17, 2005
Rack Repair
We fix the steering rack.
Dec 11, 2005
Painted, and Ready for Reassembly.
Now that the body is painted we can start reassembly.
Oct 4, 2005
Finally, Ready for Paint
The paint goes on.
Oct 4, 2005
The Midget is Finally Painted!
The Midget is finally painted and we’ll be showing more pictures of the painting process (and revealing the color) in the next issue of Classic Motorsports.
Feb 13, 2005
Putting on the Bondo.
Mud work is long and tedious.
Jan 22, 2005
A Little More Metal Work Before Mud
We tackle some final metal work before we start the bondo.
Dec 5, 2004
Almost Done With Rust Repair
We get to work on the rear cowl.
Oct 7, 2004
More Metal Work!
Metal work continues
Aug 11, 2004
Making the Panels Fit
Making the panels fit together right.
Jul 13, 2004
Trunk Repair
Repairing the Midget’s Trunk
Feb 12, 2004
Hammerform Work
We turn to the hammerform to make parts.
Feb 2, 2004
Rust and Rust.
Just when we thought we were done, we found more rust.
Dec 3, 2003
Major Rust Repair is Finished
The floors are replaced, now we can tackle the body panles in need of help on top.
Oct 30, 2003
Replacing the Trunk Floor
We replaced the trunk floor in our Midget.
Oct 9, 2003
Welding in the Floors
We put new floor panels in our Project Midget.
Oct 1, 2003
Working on the Bottom
After sandblasting, we start working on the underside of the tub.
Aug 7, 2003
More Stripping
Getting paint off is a tough job.
Jul 3, 2003
Figuring Things Out
Assessing what we have.
Jun 11, 2003
Working on Getting Things Right
This car is going to be a driver!
Apr 29, 2003
Getting the Midget to Michigan
Carl gets the car.
Apr 28, 2003
Enter Carl Heideman and Eclectic Motorworks.
Carl is the builder.
Mar 21, 2003
Baseline
Finding our baseline on the Midget.
Feb 12, 2003
Plans
Having a good plan in place makes any restoration easier.
Feb 10, 2003
Start the Modern Midget
The start of any project can be daunting, but we walk you through updating a classic.
1971 MG Midget Specs
- Body type:
- Convertible
- Country of origin:
- England
- Original price:
- $2280
- 0-60 time:
- 15.3 seconds
- Displacement:
- 1275cc
- Stock horsepower:
- 65 bhp @ 6000 rpm
- Torque:
- 72 lb.-ft @ 3000 rpm
- Engine configuration:
- Inline-4
- Transmission:
- 4-speed manual
- Drivetrain configuration:
- Rear-wheel drive
- Suspension:
- independent, with lever shocks forming upper A-arm (front)
Leaf spring/live axle/lever shocks (rear) - Brakes:
- disc/drum
- Bolt pattern:
- 4 x 4
- Wheel offset:
- 20mm
- Body width:
- 53.0 in.
- Curb weight:
- 1631 lbs.
- Wheelbase:
- 80.0 in.
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