Midgets Are Cheap and Plentiful

noddaz wrote: Hmmm... I wonder if a Ford 2300 would fit in there...

BTDT with a friend's build. The problem is the front of it sits well above the sloping hood. But it scooted pretty nicely!

noddaz wrote: Hmmm... I wonder if a Ford 2300 would fit in there...

Not in a Midget, but an MGB has room nder the hood. I know from experience.

They rust a lot in the rockers, be very careful about that, the rocker panel is the frame in these cars. I have also heard people over 6' don't really fit in them, and should look at a MGB instead. Also, whatever amount of fire extinguisher you like to carry in a non British car, double it.

mguar wrote: In reply to ransom: Your first mistake was using the doors.. Step over the door and slide down..No Midget should ever have a top!

Perhaps my first mistake was moving to Oregon

Tops are mandatory here, as in the cars' home in England. They don't always have to be up, but no car should be in storage nine months a year...

I had a Mk3 Sprite with an engine and transmission from a Datsun 1200. I wish I hadn't sold it, but I bought it when I was in college and it was a 3rd car. I couldn't afford to buy or rent a trailer to tow it from Idaho to Florida so I sold it.

Sad to say, the original engine went into a dumpster in Orlando. It was pre-craigslist and I didn't want to move with an old dissassembled engine again, especially since I had no car to put it in.

I really want a Spitfire, but am more seriously considering a Midget since they are cheaper and I speak fluent MG.

Its that are a cheap-ish older dual-purpose bike this year.

Like Basil Ex., I vintage-race a Spridget.
Started racing (at Bridgehampton) in 1973.
I also have a street-Spridget, street MGB and street Miata. The Miata and B feel like boats compared to the Spridgets, but they are much better for touring. Depends on what you want to do.
I'm, 6' and 200 lbs (and haven't changed much over the years). I've always been OK with the size of these cars after appropriate (and easy) mods. Two main things: use a "thin" seat, like an early Bugeye seat, or a Kirkey race-seat. Also use a smaller steering wheel. It can also help a lot if you ditch the steering wheel lock and shorten the steering column about 3 or 4 inches.
1500 (rubber bumper) cars can be dropped and ditch the bumpers. Easy and huge improvement in looks and handling. They are actually the best deals out there. Don't be afraid of the 1500 ~that~ much. Spitfire racers have been using these for years. They are more fragile than the older 1275 A-series engine, but if you watch rod bearings and thrust washers (and rpm) you can keep them alive for a long time. I raced a 1500 Midget for over six years. New bottom end bearings every year plus rings/pistons every second year. Not that big of a deal really. My car (a '78 tub) is currently running a 1275, but that's a result of me back-dating it so that it's vintage-legal. My car started out as a $200 tub with lots of sweat equity. I've raced a number of different cars, but Spridgets are my favourite.

I'm doing ~THIS~ next weekend with mine.

I was running the 1500 for this shot.

Im 6' 2" and fit OK in a 74 Midg. I agree with the thin seats comment. Also, be careful with Roll bars as they really limit seat travel. I am sure that there are some better roll bars for tall people than the one in the midget I have access to.

My BIL is also 6-2, and fit fine in his. Although as mentioned, I think the ratio of leg to upper torso would also come into play. I'm 5-8 and getting shorter every day, so it's no problem for me!

I talked to aeronca65t at the PVGP last year. I had owned a solo Vee in the past and was only considering going formula Vee when I was ready to get into vintage racing but after discussing things with him, the Spridget looks like a really good option. There's a lot more spare parts for them on my local craigslist than the aircooled VW which is a big factor for me. I also doubt that they weigh that much more than a formula car when towing.

I <3 Spridgets, would really love to have a Bugeye. Having said that, I think I'd get a Mk IV Spit first. Longer door, easier in/out, more interior room (but that word 'more' is a relative term).