QuestionQUESTION: I recently bought a Midget and the title indicates that it is a 1975, but the bumpers are chrome and there is a rack on the trunk. From all that I've read, the 1975 model was the beginning of the molded plastic bumpers. Should I assume that I have a 1974 or older? Also, can I assume that I have the 1250 cc engine or the 1500cc? This information might be important to know before I start buying parts.
ANSWER: Hi Corey,
The 75 Midget had a 1500 Spitfire engine and the prefix of the engine number is "FP" and the prefix of the Austin engine (74) is "12V". Another feature of the US version Midget is that a 74 had two SU carburetors and the 75 had a single Stromberg carb.
Chassis numbers also had a different prefix. The 74 was GAN-5 and the 75 was DAN-6.
Some states titled cars the year they were sold not the year they were suppose to be.
The chrome bumper cars were 74 and earlier and the rubber bumper cars were 75 on. The rack on the trunk lid was an accessory added by the dealer that sold the car or was added by a previous owner.
Howard
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks Howard - You really helped me out, but aggravated the parts store guy. I was thinking, if the title was wrong about the car being a 75, how can I know that it isn't a 73 or 72? Is there a way to tell for sure.
AnswerChassis number should tell,
72 = GAN-5-105501 to 123730
73 = GAN-5-123731 to 138800
74 = GAN-5-138801 to 154100
72 to 74 had the 12V prefix on the engine no.
Quoted from Victoria British.
You can still buy most any part for the car from, Moss Motors, The Roadster Factory, Engel Imports, Victoria British or British Parts North West to name a few and they all have web sites and toll free numbers.
Howard
