NO RESERVE!!! 1973 MG Midget Austin Healey Bugeye Custom Just Restored

1973 MG Midget Custom

1973 MG Midget Austin Healey Bugeye Custom Just Restored. This is a no reserve auction.This '73 Midget has just been completely restored and has a modified original steel Austin Healey Bugeye forward tilting front clip. The car has been totally restored/rebuilt/refurbished over the last 2 years and only has a couple hundred "de-bugging"miles. It runs, drives and stops as it should! It is not a "numbers matching" show restoration, it is a very well done drivers restoration, intended to be driven, with with custom and handling modifications to make it more fun and interesting. Please check out the photos. Details of the build are below.It was purchased by me about 2 years ago out of Missouri as a rust free stalled restoration with the original front end still on it and the body work, rebuilt engine, interior and top done. It was meant to be a summer driver for last year but then I found Bugeye front and as sometime happens the project took on a life of its own. About the time I bought the Bugeye front end business got very busy and the project went on the back burner. After a few months 2 of my good friends, who had just finished their current projects and were bored to death took pity on me and decided to finish the project for me. These are 2 guys who have built multiple show worthy hot rods and customs and I have complete confidence in their work, which was all done in my shop. The Bugeye front end needed some metal work so they cut out the rust and new metal was properly welded in. At the same time we decided to eliminate the fender top seam and make it tilt forward when opening. The wheel wells and firewall fit left something to be desired so the front end was pie cut it improve the situation. The Bugeye front end does not just drop on, as I was led to believe, and required some fabricating and modification under the hood to fit properly, including slightly modifying the radiator location, so while we were at it we added some HP by eliminating the mechanical fan and installing a thermostatically controlled electric fan which works excellent and cools the car better than the original. A custom grill was built for the Healey front end. Once we got into the electrical we agreed that the Lucas wiring had to go and we replaced the entire wiring harness, front to rear, with a custom hot rod wiring kit and fuse box. The stock wheels were not cool so I replaced them with a new set of 13x5.5 minilite look a likes. I installed one inch spacers on the rear wheels to bring them out and give the car a little attitude. The oversize tires, P175/70 R13, were like new when I bought the car so they stayed. We went through the brakes completely and replaced/refurbished anything that needed it, including wheel cylinders and linings. The stance was too high so I got new performance lowering springs for the front and the back. The fender lips were modified to limit tire rub. The shocks were functioning properly and not leaking and were left alone. Tie rod ends and steering rack boots were the only work required on the front end. I was told the engine was rebuilt during the restoration before I bought it (no paperwork) but it is easy to believe as it runs great, holds good oil pressure warm or cold, runs cool and doesn't burn oil. We pulled the engine and trans to check them out and ended up tweaking the trans and replacing the clutch master and slave cylinder. The vinyl interior was in kit form, except the seats were done, when I got it so I installed it. The top is new and very nice. The custom wood dash (the original was steel) was in the car but needed work. I didn't like the finish and some gauges didn't work and the wiring was terrible so it was all tore out and redone. The custom horn button casting was custom painted by another friend who is a student of Von Dutch. The custom knobs were a must. The interior is very nice and a new AM/FM stereo w/CD and new speakers were installed. Before I got the car the body side marker lights were filled in (nice job) and we continued the theme by removing the back up lights and bumpers and welding up the holes. The body was not completely painted during the rebuild as it wasn't considered necessary. The Healey front clip, the rocker panels, and the lower rear section was painted. All the body work was professionallydone by my friends but the paint job is just good drivers quality because it was intended to be a driver. In hindsight we probably should have re-painted the whole car but it is very presentable if not perfect. I did take it to a local car show last weekend and took first in class.
Overall it is a nicely re-done old school type sports car with the Bugeye look that has the real roll up windows, trunk, and easy to work convertible top the original Healey Bugeyes lacked.It is a very cool little car and a good example of what happens when a MG is turned over to some bored Hot Rodders!
A couple minor things that may or may not need to be done depending on your requirements are;Choke not hooked up, not required in this weather.The fuel gauge sending unit in the tank needs replacing for the gauge to work right.The interior control for the air vent needs to be replaced but I have locked it open as I only drive it in nice weather.
A $500.00 deposit through Pay Pal is required within 24 hours of the auction close or it will be relisted.If you pick up the car within 7 days and you feel the car was misrepresented your deposit will be refunded. If you do not show up or pay for the car within 7 days I will keep your deposit and the car will be re-listed.The car must be paid in full within 7 days of the auction close by cash or wire transfer or the car will be re-listed.I can hold the car longer than 7 days if it is paid for but there will be no refunds if I have to hold the car longer than 7 days after the auction close.I can load the car for shipping but the shipping must be arranged for and paid for by the buyer.
I am basically a vintage parts seller with a bad old car habit. I continually acquire more vintage sheet metal, mechanical, and trim parts, many N.O.S, and we are always in the process of listing new stock, so please check out our other items and check back often. Please add us to your favorite sellers list for more updates. It is easy to find out if we have what you are looking for by clicking on the specific categories we have listed on the left side of this page. Check out all the categories that relate to your needs. Also, please see our feedback comments to see what other customers think of our items and service.Thank you for looking.
Note: We have been in the automotive parts warehouse and custom car business since 1982, real old school! We try to include some photos of the vintage inventory, shop, and shop projects in the photos section to let you better know what we do. We don't just sell car parts we live cars. We have a variety of trim, cosmetic, hard parts, and performance parts for late models, classics, and antiques currently listed, many new and N.O.S., We regularly add more inventory so please check our other items and check back often.
Shipping: Must be arranged and paid for by the buyer on this car.
Contact: Auto-Tech164 Grand Ave.Mt. Clemens, Michigan, 48043Phone: 1-800-447-8410Local/Outside US: (586) 783-0103Fax: (586) 783-2133
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• Make: MG
• Model: Midget
• Type: Convertible
• Trim: Custom
• Year: 1973
• Mileage: 96,924
• Color: White w/Red Stripes
• Engine size: 1275 cc
• Number of cylinders: 4 Cyl
• Transmission: 4 Speed Manual
• Interior color: Red
• Options: CD Player, Convertible
• Vehicle Title: Clear
Want to buy? Contact seller!