newbie questions? (sorry)

hi people i have been a mini fanatic for years. and at the start of 2004 i am going to be making the transition to an mg midget. (wohoo a convertible!) anyway as i have bought my minis i know the amount of things that can go tits up on a classic car.

can anyone give me any advise on what to look for when buying one (eg rust points,hood wear etc.) .also what sort of year should i be looking for.

the ones i have been looking at are from this place: http://www.mgsforsale.com Do these look reasonable?

cheers(soz for the lengthy message.)

Buy the V8 and you will be a GOD. Seriously, those prices are quite reasonable judging by the condition of the cars. MGB's are very sturdy automobiles and thanks to British Motor Heritage ANYTHING that has gone sour from a steel perspective can be replaced, up to and including whole unibodies. In fact, many of the MG racers in SCCA competition simply buy reproduction steel from BMH and outfit that with the latest in performance gear.

The basics of MG wear are the doorsills, the floorboards, and the doors tend to pick up a "scar" going down the length of the door starting at the mirror. Beyond that, they really don't get too ratty. My dear Layla (a 1970 MGB GT) sat underneath a tarp in Ohio weather for 18 years of her life, then sat bare in a charity auto lot for another six months until I dumped about a quart of ether down her Weber 32/36 DGV carb, hooked up a battery jump charger, and drove her off the lot.

They're durable as hell, and you'll really enjoy yours once you buy one.

kool dont think i'll be able to insure the V8 but id love to have one.
thinkin im probably gonna go after a 1500cc midget(one with chrome bumpers mkII i tink).

du know if the deep dish mini superlites(13x7) would fit on a midget?

cheers for all ya help.

Midgets tend to rust around the rear quarters and just ahead of the doors. Also check the floor around the seats (from underneath) for rust. Midgets are a great move, parts are plentiful as are upgrades. In the States, I can find all kinds of parts for my car with the few difficult-to-find parts being emissions related.

Factory Midgets with 1500cc engines aren't chrome-bumpered. The 1500cc engine came from the Triumph Spitfire and weren't added until 1975. The earlier models (up to 1974) use the Austin A-Series engine which was used in the original Mini until it ended production. I prefer the older engines (especially the 1275cc version), personally...you can't taint an MG with a Triumph engine.

Midgets tend to rust around the rear quarters and just ahead of the doors. Also check the floor around the seats (from underneath) for rust. Midgets are a great move, parts are plentiful as are upgrades. In the States, I can find all kinds of parts for my car with the few difficult-to-find parts being emissions related.

Factory Midgets with 1500cc engines aren't chrome-bumpered. The 1500cc engine came from the Triumph Spitfire and weren't added until 1975. The earlier models (up to 1974) use the Austin A-Series engine which was used in the original Mini until it ended production. I prefer the older engines (especially the 1275cc version), personally...you can't taint an MG with a Triumph engine.

Agreed. Go for a MkIII "Fidget" if your going that route. Stay away from wire wheels. The 1500 Midget is junk. The motor will fall out. The tranny's are weak. The only good thing is the wiring is more dependable.