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🏁 1930s MG midget

A homage to the 1930s MG M-type (also known as the MG Midget) a sports car produced by MG Cars from April 1929 until 1932 in Abingdon, UK.

🚗 Inspiration Car

 1930s MG midget

Why this car?
Love the shape and character of early MGs. Early MG cars in particular early 30s models, seem to have their own personality.

⚙️ Specifications

Chassis:
3x1 box steel, body materials used plywood and vinyl, BR green of course.

Wheels:
17'' pit bike type. 

Suspension:
single leaf spring.

Engine:
Honda clone and torque converter 6.5hp.

Drive System:
 CVT with a peerless diff.

Brakes:
Mechanical disc and bicycle type cable operated disc for the handbrake.

Steering:
Go kart rack and pinion.

Other Features:
 Old marine toilet handle became a handbrake.

🛠️ Builder’s Story: 1930s MG Midget Cyclekart

Inspiration Car
I’ve always loved the shape of the early 1930s MGs—the simple, sporty lines and the way they seem to embody fun. The MG Midget in particular has always stood out to me, with its personality and scale that make it instantly recognizable.

How It Began
This build actually started with just two old MG badges and a spare Morris Eight grill I had lying around. From there, the idea snowballed into creating a cyclekart that captured the essence of those early MGs. To keep the proportions believable, I built it as a right-hand-drive car with the appearance of a two-seater.

Materials & Construction
I was lucky enough to be gifted some hardwood 3-ply and a particularly handy bendy ply from a builder friend who was moving house. The bendy ply was perfect for tight curves like bucket seats and bonnets. The chassis was made from 3x1 box steel, though unfortunately some of it was heavier gauge than needed—so many hours went into drilling holes and cutting sections to lighten it.

The Morris Eight grill sits slightly below the dumb irons to fit the scale, and I added a supercharger feature to help disguise it. For the body, I used plywood, then covered the sides with BR green vinyl and varnished the bonnet to give it a period feel.

Recycled Details
I enjoy adding character with found parts:

• A vacuum cleaner pipe became the exhaust

• The old MG badges were repurposed as supercharger details

• Pedals came from a ‘Planet Junior’ cultivator part

• The Morris Eight radiator grill set the front end

• An old marine toilet handle now serves as the handbrake

These touches give the car its own personality while staying true to the spirit of early MGs.

Challenges & Solutions
The heaviest task was lightening the overly thick chassis steel, which meant hours of drilling and cutting. Later on, I realized the original chassis rail length had left the car looking too stumpy, so I pulled things apart and lengthened the bonnet. This small change completely transformed the proportions and made the car look much more “MG.”

Most Satisfying Part
As with most builds, it’s the details at the end that bring everything together. The green vinyl sides, the varnished hood, and all the little repurposed parts gave the car its unique character. And of course—the road test is always the real reward.

Looking Back
If I did it again, I’d start with properly scaled chassis rails to avoid the rework later. Still, the result is a fun, characterful cyclekart that captures the playful spirit of an early 1930s MG Midget.