OT: Daily Driver/Restore What do you all think?

[ford4x4fun]

Thinking about getting something better on gas mileage, fun to drive, and something that isn't a new age Toyota and such. Anyhow the guy is asking 1500 dollars, but states that there is a problem with the ignition so it isn't running. He did tell me to make an offer, I am thinking like 800 dollars what do you all think? 1974 MG Midget

Here is what he wrote in his email back to me.

car was running and driving a month ago. I let it sit for a couple of weeks and the clutch needs bleeding or cylinder replacing. Engine runs great but ignition switch needs some tlc. Interior good. New top. Good tires. Rust - mainly on front edge of hood. Rest of car good. Floors have been repaired but not to a high standard. Needs to be trailered fits on my utility trailer. Needs to go - make offer as I have a 1964 Midget

I think that a bigger problem is there from his reasoning on it set for a few weeks, and now it has issues. I am in the military, and my cars and trucks sometimes spend years sitting with no power applied to a starter. So I might even go lower than 800 but am open to thoughts and such!

[thorn1968]

Sounds more like a project than a gas saver.

[Ranchero50]

Fun little piles of crap they are... Electric by Lucas, the prince of darkness. Motor weighs about 100lbs fully dressed and very easy to work on...

Make a great turbocouple swap project.

Jamie

[ford4x4fun]

Fun little piles of crap they are... Electric by Lucas, the prince of darkness. Motor weighs about 100lbs fully dressed and very easy to work on...

Make a great turbocouple swap project.

Jamie

Ha Ha! Well easy is always good, even for a little pile of crap

[Racer Z]

Cute a s bug they are.
I see em out on the track and they get around quite well. I used to see em around town a lot when they were newer, but now I can't remember when the last time I saw one was.

It actually looks nice in the pictures, but I'm always hesitant with any vehicle that old, cause you know it is a project looking for a (new) home. $800 would be a real nice price, but you need to understand that you are buying a project, not a turn-key dependable daily driver. The scarey part here is, you can't start the car and drive it. You don't know if it has an engine and a drive line. It could be a fully worn out car that needs everything including suspension.

A very real question: What about parts sources? Can you go to your local auto parts store and buy anything for it still? Is there a Bap/Geon in your area. Bap/Geon is an import parts store. Mine went out of business recently.

Rust is an issue as well as parts sources. As mentioned, Lucas Electrics is a problem.



Q: Why do the English drink warm beer?

A: Lucas Electrics.

[jzjames]

Can be fun. If you like Midgets, consider looking for a better RUNNING one and save yourself the work and expense. I noticed quite a few Midgets for sale and priced pretty good.
If you want this one offer what the body ONLY is worth to you (Id say 500 not too far off the mark with the new roof and all...) But I'll bet seller wont go lower than 900.

[jp2005]

I don't think you should buy it. If you want a gas saver buy something newer. As for a restore project buy another bump

[ford4x4fun]

I may continue looking, i just can't stand to be in the same run with everyone else and there cookie cutter cars. Everything I do is to make sure I don't fit in the crowd of the "norm" I don't want a payment, and I don't want to break the piggy to get something to save on fuel. I will email back a response not making an offer. I do have a friend that has recently returned from this deployment that is more knowledgeable than myself when it comes to engines and such, I may have him go check it out for me and see what he thinks.

[fbomb100]

hell if you like it get it...its your money, time , looks like a it would be a fun zip zip car to drive around in!! Hell later on you can drop a v8 in it with some real real quite muflers and have a sleeper and mess with some people at the stop light

[Racer Z]

hell if you like it get it...its your money, time , looks like a it would be a fun zip zip car to drive around in!! Hell later on you can drop a v8 in it with some real real quite muflers and have a sleeper and mess with some people at the stop light

I did an engine R&R on a MG Midget once. There is barely enough room for the tiny four-cylinder that the factory put in it.


A friend of mine has a three cylinder Geo Metro. He get 40-50 miles to the gallon. The thing has an eight gallon tank. I went with him once to help him do a job. About 100 miles round trip. He used less than three gallons of gas. In my F250 I would have used ten gallons or more.

[71highboy]

if he will take 800 for it buy it.i think that the slave cylinder on it probably leaked out all if the fluid.easy fix.and you can always put in a new ignition.

[Wolf0r]

In 1971 a pinto got 33MPG. I would like to have one of those for a daily driver.

[71highboy]

In 1971 a pinto got 33MPG. I would like to have one of those for a daily driver.

yeah the little wagons with the porthole windows are cool.

[jzjames]

I liked Pintos better than the Vegas!!

[ford4x4fun]

Well,

He wrote me back saying that whoever goes and looks at it for me will be able to hear it run. And that he will take 1100 dollars. I still haven't made an offer yet...