Page 17 - Beep Beep May 2023

with a near-new MG B in Tartan red with leather upholstery, wire wheels and overdrive. Back then, the stuff that a young man’s dreams were built on.”
He ultimately returned to New Guinea, working across the country establishing and managing Toyota dealerships. Compared to the British cars he was used to, “Toyotas were far better made,” says Brian. “The Japanese had that pride of work ethic.”
Even so, when he settled in Australia it was his passion for classic Brits that proved stronger. He restored a rubber nose MG B in the 1980s, but it wasn’t until recently he decided to revisit his love for the very first new MG he bought. “I found this 1970 Midget Mk3 that had only had two owners, both from the same family,” Brian says. “The nephew, who I bought it from, had given it a full rotisserie restoration.”
It's one of the 1184 Midgets assembled in Zetland, Sydney, between 1967 and 1971 as complete knock-down (CKD) packs. Brian’s is a later facelifted version, of which just 396 we made. Locally produced electrics and paint were used, with this car originally painted in Australia-only Camino gold. As you can now see, the restoration involved a switch to the more popular Tartan red hue.
These MkIII Midgets used the highly tuneable 1275cc engine - as found on the Mini Cooper S – but were detuned versions good for only 48kW and 98Nm. The car’s original engine remains, but has been bored out to 1300cc and had a camshaft grind, and after sampling this thing in action, I can report it’s got ample shove to haul along such a lightweight roadster.
“On the open highway at 110km/h it certainly wants more,” says Brian. “I’ve had it up to 140kmh, and believe it could easily accomplish 160km/h, just like an MG B. It’s easy to drive and reliable. The previous owner would do 1100km round trips in it, and I’d happily hop in it, throw luggage in the boot and drive from Queensland to Sydney without hesitation. I know it’d get back again too.”
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