MG Midget

MG Midget Sportcars, 1961-1979

Austin Healey Sprite - the Forerunner of the MG Midget

The Austin Healey Sprite 1958 to 1961. Project work on the original Austin-Healey Sprite began in August 1956 - a collaboration between Donald Healey of the Healey Motor company and Leonard Lord of the British Motor Corporation. It was designed by Gerry Coker of the Healey Motor Company and was targeted to provide low-cost open-top motoring - hence inter alia its lack of an opening boot. The Sprite was introduced in May 1958. With its comical pop eyes and smiling grille it became popularly known as the "Frogeye" in the UK and the "Bugeye" in the USA. It had a BMC A-series 948cc engine, twin SU carburettors, 42 bhp, monocoque, and components from the Austin A35 and the Morris Minor. In May 1961 production of the Frogeye was discontinued. Production 1958 to 1961: 48999.

In 1961 the Sprite was restyled to become the Austin Healey Sprite Mk II, with conventional nose and square tail, and the de luxe version badged as MG Midget Mk I. The two models continued in production side by side until the end of Sprite production in 1971. This page focuses on the history of the MG Midget version.

Austin-Healey Sprite
of John Reidy

History of the MG Midget

MG Midget Mk I GAN.1 June 1961. 948 cc A-series Morris Minor/Austin engine, twin carburettor, 46 bhp, 4-speed gearbox with synchromesh on 2,3 and 4, quarter elliptic rear springs, trailing location arms, bolt-on disc wheels, drum brakes, no external door handles, removable sidescreens, flat windscreen, removable hood which required to be stowed, squared rear wheel arches. Same specification but cosmetic differences from Austin-Healey Sprite Mk II. The rear end of the car was re-styled and closely resembled the embryonic MGB. Number produced 16080.

MG Midget Mk I GAN.2 October 1962. Sometimes called the Mk 1.5. Morris Minor 1098cc engine, 55 bhp, stronger gearbox, electronic tachometer, front disc brakes. Number produced 9601.

Midget MkI
of Roland Kivell

Midget Mk I
of Arnold Leibowitz

MG Midget Mk II GAN.3 March 1964. Introduction of the Sprite III / Midget Mk II. 1098cc, 59 bhp, semi-elliptic rear springs, curved windscreen, external door handles, locking doors, winding glass windows, black crinkle finish dash. Number produced 26601

Midget MkII
of Lynton Lomas

MG Midget Mk III GAN.4 October 1966. Introduction of the Sprite IV / idget Mk III. A-series 1275cc engine, 65bhp, 90 mph, folding hood replacing earlier removable hoods, no longer the distinctive chrome strip down the center of the bonnet. Number produced 13722.

MG Midget Mk III GAN.5 October 1969. Black plastic front grille, quarter rear bumpers, Leyland badges on sides
1971: Austin-Healey Sprite Mk IV rebadged as Austin Sprite. Rostyle bolt-on wheels, modified dashboard, rounded rear wheel arches, larger fuel tank, original toggle switches replaced with rocker type to meet US legislation.
July 1971 Sprite production discontinued.
1972: Radial tyres, alternator
1973: Hazard warning lights, front anti-roll bar, tonneau cover
Total GAN.5 86650 produced.

Midget Mk III GAN.4
of Kevin Loader

Midget Mk III GAN.5
of Arnold Leibowitz

Midget Mk III GAN.5
round rear wheel arch
of Wynand Swanepoel

MG Midget Mk IV GAN.6 October 1974: 1491 cc Triumph Spitfire engine, 66bhp, 100mph, higher torque, 4-speed synchromesh gearbox, polyurethane "5mph" bumpers to meet US legislation, ride height increased by 1.5", squared rear wheel arches, 170 lb heavier
1976: Lead-free fuel tolerant engine and catalyst for North American models. 1977: Rear axle ratio raised to 3.72:1, new door mirrors.
1978: Instruments changed to Triumph type
1979: Production of Midgets discontinued in November.
Total produced 73899.
Up to the last Midget the front end of the sill still retained the radiused kick up from the one-piece Frogeye bonnet.

Midget Mk IV GAN.6
of Tony Craddock

Midget Mk IV GAN.6
of Bruce Henderson

Total numbers built: Sprite: 130000; Midget Mk I/III: 152528; Mk IV 1500: 73899

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This page written by George Dehlen with acknowledgement to clubs and organisations for their logos, to vehicle owners and photographers for images as indicated, and to members of the Austin-Healey and MG Car Clubs of SA for information.