Everybody should start their driving careers in something weighing under 2,200 pounds before buying a Golf GTI, a V6 Camaro, or maybe a BMW M2 if they have a fat enough bank account. Like an MG Midget, for example—if you can fit.
The MKIII MG Midget has the slightly de-tuned version of the Mini Cooper’s 1.3-liter engine, and that means it’s still rather slow despite weighing under 1,700 pounds. It’s also hopelessly impractical compared even to my 1,540 pound Autobianchi A112 Abarth wannabe.
But while The Smoking Tire’s Matt Farah might actually fit in my car, when it comes to having the most style and character around the block, an Italian supermini from the 1980s can’t compete with a proper British roadster from the ‘70s and all the sunshine that comes with it.
Remember, even a Miata is a giant compared to the cars that started it all.
I mean, when they did start.