*** Interested parties should note, this vehicle was subject to a CAT C insurance loss in 09/2007 ***
Highlights
- Pretty Mk2 with huge specification
- 1,275cc Simon Hadley Engineering motor
- Engine rebuilt & overhauled in 2021
- Huge list of recent work and parts
- Professional respray in red in 2022
The Appeal
This Midget is a gem. Seriously. It is one of the best we’ve seen in a while.
It is a very pretty car with the original shell that was refinished in bright red in late 2022 accented by neat chrome and wire wheels. Inside there is a fully retrimmed black cabin with red piping.
But it is the mechanical specification of this car that really makes it stand out. An earlier restoration in 2010 saw a 1,275cc Simon Hadley Engineering engine replace the original 1098cc motor. That gives this little car performance akin to a contemporary Mini Cooper S. After the vendor bought the car, he undertook a lengthy and wide-ranging mechanical overhaul that included rebuilding the engine. You can read the full and extensive list below.
A recent professional tune up means that this light, nimble little sports car drives brilliantly. A classic convertible that looks as good as it goes? That’ll be this great Midget.
History and Paperwork
- First registered 1st July 1965
- Eight registered keepers from new
- Current keeper acquired the car in November 2020
- Reported to have been owned by mechanics since 2008 and home serviced
- Previously owned by a garage owner/mechanic
- He rebuilt most of the mechanics in 2008-2010
- He fitted a 1,275cc Simon Hadley Engineering engine
- Finished in 2010 and then achieved 12 months MOT and no advisories
- Mileage at the time of the new engine was 18,904 and 20,822 when further work began
- Photograph of old speedo showing mileage at removal
- Speedo replaced as previous unit worn
- Mileage recorded on all MOTs and vendor advises car does around 250 miles per year
- MOT'd in 2010 with no advisories
- Subsequently MOT'd every year to 2021 with no advisories
- All available MOT certificates included with car
- Subject to a full respray, retrim and mechanical overhaul by seller from September 2021
- Only driven from Pickering to the current owner's garage before strip down
- Photographic record of strip down and rebuild
- AG Classic Car Tuning checked and tuned the engine and timing at cost of £500
- New Cooper S distributor, jets, and needles fitted by AG and report included
- Historic Vehicle with no road tax, MOT or ULEZ required
- Good history file documenting the long list of work by the seller and previously
- Summary of work by seller detailed below
- Old speedometer included in photographs
- Discrepancies in MOT mileage records due to speedo changes
- DVLA records that the car is fitted with a 1,098cc engine which buyer may wish to update
- Photographs available of body refurbishment
- Some parts made using 3D printer to ensure accuracy and quality
The car is registered as CAT C. However, the vendor tells us:
"Regarding CAT C this occurred because of the economic value of the repairs versus the value of the car at that time. This car wasn't in an accident. It was caught in a flood which damaged the engine. The car wasn't worth a new engine in 2007. The car was bought in 2008 by previous owner and this is when the Simon Hadley engine was fitted."
"Regarding CAT C this occurred because of the economic value of the repairs versus the value of the car at that time. This car wasn't in an accident. It was caught in a flood which damaged the engine. The car wasn't worth a new engine in 2007. The car was bought in 2008 by previous owner and this is when the Simon Hadley engine was fitted."
The Condition
- Resprayed in November 2022 in bright red to good standard
- Some minor stone chips but well kept overall
- Underneath solid with photographic record of recent strip down
- Good panel fit which the vendor reports is better than factory
- Good panel gaps particularly to wings and doors
- Well presented brightwork
- Engine bay in very good order
- Chrome wire wheels with bright finish and Nexen tyres fitted
- Retrimmed interior in black with red piping to carpets and seats
- Vinyl roof looks virtually ‘as new’ with clear rear and side screens
- Interior removed and refitted during recent work
- This included windscreen, dashboard, doors, seats,and carpets
- Replaced any removed nuts, bolts, screws, and fittings with new from Moss Brothers
- Horn works, but the switch in the steering wheel is not working; all wires are present
New parts include:
- Hood
- Dash refurbished
- Indicator and fittings
- All interior fabrication
- Seats recovered
- New carpets
- Dash switches
- Reverse lights
- Front side and indicator units with new wire loom
- New headlight wire looms
- New radiator cowling
- All new door and boot chrome handles
- Rear bumper brackets
- Rear bumper rechromed
- Door & 1/4 light rubbers
- Bonnet chrome strip
- Many more little bits and pieces
- Cylinder head removed and skimmed
- Valves checked and re-seated
- New head gasket
- Pistons and cylinders checked for damage and cleaned
The Mechanics
- 1,275cc Simon Hadley Engineering engine with recent overhaul
- Extensive list of mechanical work detailed below
- 4spd manual gearbox
- Vendor says that brakes, steering, gearbox, clutch, exhaust, bearings and wiring all great
- Engine reported to be quick and sounds fabulous
- Vendor tells us that the car is easy to drive in traffic with lots of torque at low revs
- Worn and tired parts recently replaced on and around the engine
- No rattle, squeak, or creak from the suspension according to seller
- Recent tuning and timing checks by AG Classic Car Tuning costing £500
New mechanical parts include:
- Mini Cooper S distributor with electronic ignition
- Starter motor
- Thermostat and housing
- High tension leads
- Plugs
- All new water hoses and clips
- Solenoid
- Clutch slave cylinder
- Coil
- Battery
- Carburettors refurbished
- Rocker cover refurbished and new chrome nuts
- Heater box resprayed
The vendor tells us:
“The engine makes this car so responsive. It sounds great with loads of torque. Imagine driving a Mark 2 Midget with Mini Cooper S performance.”
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand.. If requested, we may refer you to a third-party shipping company who can help. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected]