Description
Pavilion Gardens | Buxton, Derbyshire
12th Feb, 2025 12:00pm
c. 1939 MG SA Special
Estimate £9, 000 - £11, 000
Registration No: TSY 381
Chassis No: SA 2946
MOT: Exempt
In need of recommissioning after a period of storage
An interesting pre-war Special
Still registered with the DVLA although a new V5C will need to be applied for
Used by the previous owner at numerous speed events and potentially VSCC eligible
Introduced at the 1935 London Motor Show, the MG 2-litre (subsequently re-christened the ‘SA’) debuted as a four-door saloon. Based around a substantial ladder frame chassis equipped with semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension and four-wheel drum brakes, the newcomer was powered by a 2288cc OHV straight-six engine allied to four-speed manual transmission. A direct competitor to the SS Jaguar 2½ Litre Saloon, the MG boasted an 85mph top speed and similarly luxurious interior. Arriving in April and July 1936 respectively, a Tickford-bodied Drophead Coupe and Charlesworth-clothed Open Tourer broadened the appeal of the SA, while the following year brought an increase in cubic capacity to 2322cc. Production was curtailed by the outbreak of WW2 after some 2, 738 cars had been made (though, saloons accounted for the vast majority). However, only 263 survivors (9. 6%) are currently known to the SVW Register.
Understood to be one of just 128 MG SAs produced during 1939 but not road registered until the following year, chassis SA 2946 is thought to have been re-configured as a Special during the 1960s. Beginning life as a Tickford Drophead Coupe, its current four-seater Tourer body is considerably lighter (to the undoubted benefit of performance). Sporting twin rear-mounted spare wheels, ‘TSY 381’ was reputedly used by its previous keeper for a variety of speed events. Potentially eligible for various Vintage Sports Car Club meetings (subject to inspection and acceptance), the MG has been off the road for a number of years. Appearing to be substantially complete, it will require thorough recommissioning before running in anger again. Last issued with a V5 Registration Document in 1997, ‘TSY 381’ remains known to both the DVLA and HPi albeit a new owner will have to apply for an up-to-date registration document. An intriguing project, six-cylinder, four-seater pre-WW2 Tourers are rarely this affordable.
