Lot Ended
Description
Only 30k miles on rebuilt 1,293cc engine; unleaded head; in daily use
and driven 160 miles to the sale; looks scruffy but perfectly usable as it is;
use-and-improve
First registered
in Flintshire in April 1966, this Midget might look rather sorry for itself but
under the faded skin lurks a car that is probably better than you expect.
From 1981 – 2011 it was owned by a gent in Denby
who clearly loved the car, treating it to a major restoration about 25 years ago
when it had a private plate (JD 6922). An album of photos on file show the car
looking very splendid back then and attending various shows, a few of which we
have reproduced here (see last three photos).
As you
can see in the photos, the Midget has gone downhill a bit since then, although
it has been regularly maintained mechanically with plenty of bills for
maintenance and new parts fitted over the last 20 years.
Our vendor acquired the car in September 2019 and has used it as a
daily runabout ever since. An engineer by profession, he went right through the
car when he first bought it to make sure it would be reliable. Although he
hasn’t kept any bills, we are told that this included fitting a fully rebuilt
1,275cc engine bored out to 1,293cc with new pistons, bearings, unleaded head
etc (the V5C still records the capacity as 1,098cc). He also fitted new rear
springs and a new steering rack.
During his
six-year ownership the Midget has been in daily use, clocking up some 30,000
miles including many long motorway journeys. We are told that it cruises happily
at the national speed limit for hour after hour without complaint.
The hood and frame are stored in the boot and we
are told that they are perfectly serviceable. There is also a tonneau cover but
the zip needs replacing. There are also a couple of body panels (o/s/r
wheelarch; sheet metal to make a new driver’s footwell section) which he was
intending to fit when time allowed.
The seats
look to be in good shape but the vendor has fitted a rather scruffy bucket seat
on the driver’s side because that is better suited to his exuberant 'press
on' driving style.
Driven 160 miles to the sale
from London, it is clearly quite usable as it is and has healthy 60psi oil
pressure.
An ideal ‘use and improve’ candidate,
this 'shabby chic' Midget is on offer here at no reserve so the best bid
drives it home.
Consigned by James Dennison
– 07970 309907 – [email protected]