OUR 1ST MIDGET

JIM & LINDA's 1ST 1972 MK3 MIDGET

Our first Sprite was purchased in 1973. We drove that particular auto for over 8 years as a daily driver! The car was a 1969 MK4 Sprite. It was driven on our honeymoon to Yellowstone National Park from St. Louis, Mo. in 1974. The following year we took a trip to California and points west. After a 2 1/2 year stay in Chicago, (where the road salt did wonders on the body), we moved back to southwest Missouri. The body on the '69 Sprite was now so rusty that I purchased a donor body at the salvage yard (a 1972 Midget). After a complete change over to the donor body, our "SPRIDGET" was driven until well after the birth of our two daughters.

The "SPRIDGET" was sold in 1982 for $600 and we progressed to "FAMILY" types of autos for a while! In 1990, I felt a urge again to get another LBC (Little British Car). The kids were now older and I had a better job and more disposable income. A 1972 Midget was located and purchased locally. Now begain a 5 year restoration project that at times seemed a bottomless pit for money!

Each winter I would refurbish diferrent areas of the Midget, all the while driving the car each summer. Finally in 1995 the car was completed. Since the time of purchase our little red '72 Midget has seen many happy miles and trips.

We have been to the Healey Conclave in '92 and while there met Geoffrey Healey and Jerry Coker.We have toured the Rocky Mountains while on vacation, made numerous trips to Branson and attended many British Car shows.

We have won 5 years in a row 1st place in the Chrome Bumper Midget Class at the Kansas City MG Heartland Regional in the Popularity Vote. We also took a 1st in Popularity Vote in our class at the 1996 Tulsa All British and also a 1st at the Mid-Missouri All British in 1998. We race the Midget each spring in high speed trials at Chanute, Ks. Our best time is 97mph on the flying 5/8 mile!

We sold our 72 Midget a few years back. It was very hard to part with her! Linda made me promise to restore another Midget for us!!!!

I kept my promise! We now have a Damask Red 1973 Midget. It too has also been featured on the front cover of a recent VICTORIA BRITISH Sprite and Midget parts catalog. It has won many awards and has also been raced at the Chanute Chute Out high speed British car trials. It is featured on our SPRIDGET of the MONTH page on this website!

Some of the best times are simply a Sunday drive in the summer. We love exploring anywhere the winding blacktop may take us. Linda and I have meet and become friends with many wonderful people. All whom just also happen to drive British autos! We look forward each year to many more exciting miles, meeting old friends, and making new ones while on the road.

We hope to see you. Don't forget to wave!

SAFETY FAST!

Jim and Linda McCraw