Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
9th October, 2024 13:00
1930 MG M-Type Midget Special
No Reserve
Registration No: PO 7734
Chassis No: M-1098
MOT: Exempt
Attractive special running what are thought to be PB-type brakes, wheels and suspension
Current ownership since 2019
Subject to an engine overhaul in 2020
VSCC Eligible
The MG M-Type was manufactured from April 1929 to 1932 and was sometimes referred to as the 8/ 33. Launched at the 1928 London Motor Show when sales of larger MG saloons began to falter due to the economic climate, the small car brought MG ownership to a new sector of the market and probably saved the company. Early cars were assembled in MG's Cowley factory but production transferred to Abingdon when the MG factory moved there in the Autumn of 1929. The M-Type was one of the first genuinely affordable sports cars to be offered by an established manufacturer, as opposed to modified versions of factory-built saloon cars and tourers. This two-door sports car used an updated version of the four-cylinder, bevel-gear driven, overhead-camshaft engine used in the 1928 Morris Minor and Wolseley 10 with a single SU carburettor generating a sporty 20bhp. Drive was to the rear wheels through a three-speed non-synchromesh gearbox. Early bodies were fabric-covered around a wooden frame but this changed to all-metal in 1931 when the majority of cars were clothed by Carbodies of Coventry and offered by MG in either open two-seat or closed two-door Sportsman’s Coupé versions. The M-Type enjoyed considerable sporting success, both privately and with official teams, winning gold medals in the 1929 Land's End Trial and class wins in the 1930 'Double Twelve' race at Brooklands. Total sales amounted to 3, 253 cars by the time production ceased in 1933.
According to the copy of the original factory build cards, chassis 1098 was first sold to J. D. Windle of Southall on 22nd February 1930. There is also correspondence with the MG Works from that period regarding an engine overhaul. According to the V5C supplied with the car, there have been four previous keepers. Prior to the current keeper's ownership, the car was extensively restored with a new ash frame and with what appear to be PB-type brakes, wheels and suspension components, giving the car a wider stance than the standard M-Type Midget. The car was recovered with fabric and the metal panel work was brush-painted around this time. The current owner purchased the car in 2019 and according to correspondence in the history file, was intending to return the car to original specification, but chose not to. The engine was overhauled in 2020 which there are receipts available for and the interior was re-trimmed.
According to the vendor, the car runs well and he has driven it regularly, keeping up with regular maintenance jobs. The interior, having been re-trimmed presents in good order and the bodywork is still in good condition, with a few signs of aging appearing around, for example, the front mudguards. The car is a great opportunity to use as a starter sports car for trials or similar events.
