This Kawasaki-Powered MG Midget Is A $4,500 Triumph Of Backyard Engineering

Someone has built something so absurd, yet strangely alluring. This 1976 MG Midget for sale was turned into a discount three-wheeler by way of a Kawasaki Vulcan shoved in back. It’s all sorts of nonsensical, and I can’t help but appreciate it as a triumph of backyard engineering.

The ad says that a 1976 MG Midget lost its trunk to fit the running gear of a 2007 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500. It’s said to run and drive while being registered as the donor Vulcan. In many localities that means cheaper registration fees and no safety or emissions inspections.

Instead, he did as some of us do and just built his own for much cheaper.

Stock, a 1976 Midget made about 55 horses and 67 lb⋅ft torque from a 1493cc inline-four Standard SC engine from a Triumph Spitfire. These ran to 60 mph in a somewhat leisurely 12 seconds.

The donor Kawasaki Vulcan is powered by a 1470cc V-twin making 64 HP and 84.6 lb-ft torque. So it’s a similar displacement with a small power bump. It also has fuel injection, which is a welcome modern feature.

At least to my weird eyes, it’s a work of art of low budget craftsmanship borne by three-wheeled dreams. The motorcycle appears to just be bolted in and the MG’s wheel wells filled with saddlebags. The seller tells me that it’s fun and fast. I asked if any mods were done to the engine, but I have not heard back at the time of writing this.

At $4,500 it could be a fun toy to play around with and I’m somewhat surprised that someone hasn’t picked it up in two years. People have added forced induction to these engines, so it’s ripe for plenty of shenanigans. It’s certainly cheaper than any three-wheeler that you could buy new right now.