“The 1973 MG Midget, nicknamed “Mini Cobra” was purchased in September 2016 by the current owner from the son of the original restomodder. The car had been in the previous owner’s family for 30 years. The original engine went bad which led to a few modifications. The odometer showed 69114 miles at time of restoration/modification but was replaced and showed only slightly over 850 miles at time of purchase and since the restomod.
The original restoration/modification project was performed by a retired A/P aircraft mechanic, who worked to engineer the project. Some of the modifications included: A rebuilt 1968 Ford 302 V8 with an Edelbrock cam kit and manifold with Holley 600 CFM 4 bbl carburetor mated to a fully rebuilt C4 3 speed automatic with a B&M shift kit. Dash, Interior, and Top all replaced at time of restomod. The front suspension was beefed up and brakes redone with new master cylinder, new rear cylinders, and rebuild kit on the front calipers. The car is fitted with wider than stock 13″” wheels and upgraded wheel studs. The rear axle was originally a rebuilt stock 3.90-1 MG Midget unit. The original project was completed over 30 years ago (1988) and still shows quite well. Dash plaques on the firewall indicate an initial car show in 1989. The car has always been stored indoors in a climate-controlled shop or garaged.
Since purchasing the Midget in 2016 many repairs and improvements have been made. The radiator fan was upgraded, the speedometer gear corrected, the tachometer repaired, the carburetor tuned, charging system repaired, voltmeter installed, 15 gallon RCI fuel cell and fuel level gauge installed and high voltage electronic ignition installed to replace points and ballast resistor. The biggest improvement was a custom narrowed Ford 7.5-inch limited slip rear axle which was installed over the summer of 2017 to eliminate the fear of axle breakage and improve highway rpm and overall street ability using a 2.73 ratio. At the same time custom made anti tramp bars were installed which eliminated a bad case of axle windup which was severe enough to cause u-joint to u-joint impact. Also, rear springs from a 1500 model were installed as well as Acura Integra rear disc brakes. A top boot cover was procured and installed to improve top down cosmetics and gas lift struts were installed on the bonnet and boot.
In November 2019, while greasing the front suspension the upper trunnion bushings were found to be deteriorated. While replacing the driver side, kingpin side play was noticed which led to a full front suspension rebuild and beef up with A-arm shock mount doublers and crosslinks welded on.
In February 2020 an AFR gauge was added to better tune the carburetion which resulted in reducing the main jets 5 sizes and changing the power valve to open sooner.
This MG has primarily been driven to shows and nice day pleasure drives and now indicates almost 5000 miles on the odometer. Always fun to share this car and watch the doubletakes/ listen to comments as the viewers realize what’s under the bonnet. Many 1st place awards in Import Class from numerous shows in the DFW area, 1st place for 1970s decade modified cars (twice) and a top 100 award out of a field of 525 cars, both of the last two at judged shows.
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