The ex-works, Roger Enever

1963 MG Midget Roadster

Registration no. Not registered Chassis no. GAN3/23948

Footnotes

Originally the prototype wind-up window car, this GAN3 Midget was first registered by the MG Car Company on 7th October 1963 with registration number 'MG 1'. Used in many publicity shots, the Midget was reregistered '138 DMO' during 1964 and assigned to the Development and Experimental Department for preparation as a factory race car. Its race and test development was run in conjunction with the BMC Competitions Department's Mini Cooper Engine Programme.

This car was the first Midget fitted with the 1,275cc A-Series power unit based on the Cooper S block (standardised from the start of MkIII production) when experimental engine number 'XSP 2195-3' was installed on 2nd July 1964. In addition to improving power output, the little MG's weight was reduced from 700kg to 620kg, which involved such drastic measures as even drilling the door handles and striker plates. Concurrently the car featured all-alloy, long-nose bodywork similar to that of Dick Jacobs' famous midget coupés and was painted red.


From 1964 to 1968, '138 DMO', now painted black, was raced with great success by Roger Enever, son of MG's chief engineer Syd Enever. In 1967 the Enever/Midget combination took 19 victories, winning the Fred W Dixon Trophy and the Amasco Championship, which led to Roger's Grovewood Award.


First bought by the current vendor on 1st February 1983 (original invoice available), the Midget was rebuilt and raced at the Brands Hatch Thundersports meeting on 30th May 1983, its driver being Rae Davis. After that meeting the Midget was sold to Mike Roy (Moto-Build advertisement on file) who raced the car until he sold it in April 1993 (advertisement supplied). Mike Roy had had the car inspected by the DVLA and regained the correct V5 documentation for it. The vendor bought back on 25th June 1997 and has owned it ever since.

In 2016 this historic MG Midget was restored by MG guru Darryl Davis at Moto-Build Racing and raced at the 75th Goodwood Members Meeting in March 2017 by Charlie Settrington (now Lord March). Race-prepared by Richard Colburn at Westbourne Motorsport, the Midget has subsequently competed in HRDC events and is described by the vendor as race ready for 2020. Noteworthy features include a rebuilt 1,380cc full race engine by SLARK; a close-ratio straight-cut gearbox; and a limited-slip differential with steel drive shafts. (The vendor will also make available to a successful buyer, the alternative 'standard-style' front end with rare aluminium bonnet). A rare opportunity to acquire an ex-works MG sports car with in-period race history, associated with one of the marque's foremost exponents of the modern era. Interested parties should note that the Sebring Sprite register confirms this is one of two cars to share this identity. The other car was sold by JD Classics in 2019 with a UK V5 document issued as '138 DMO'. Both owners are aware of each car's existence.