Triple M corner

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

The setting for the Cambridge Auto Club’s 1931 running of their Speed Trials was Branches Park in Suffolk, located midway between Newmarket and Haverhill. Despite taking place toward the tail end of February (21st), the event was blessed with fine, but cold weather. Motor Sport magazine provided two pages of coverage in its March 1931 edition, including a photo of a supercharged MG Midget (MG 557), the eventual winner of the 850 CC class. This photo of MG Midget (UF 6135) was taken from a similar spot and shows car no. 25 and its unnamed driver speeding along the country house’s driveway on one of its timed runs. (LAT Collection)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This unidentified LAT Collection image was taken at a Bugatti Owners Club hill climb based in the South Buckinghamshire village of Chalfont-St-Peter. The car is a rare supercharged MG J3 Midget (LV 1609), although the date of this event and the name of the driver are unknown. (Simon Johnston advises that the car is J3753, its Guarantee Plate being issued in November 1932. Simon goes on to state, “… by 1934 it had apparently been fitted with a J2 engine.” The chassis is rumoured to be resident in the USA, although there has been no confirmed news of the car’s whereabouts since the 1930s.)

This eBay sourced snapshot image of a 1933 Newcastle-registered Eustace Watkins Wolseley Hornet Special (VK 9740) offers very little to comment upon …

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

There were just ten classified finishers in the 1932 RAC Ulster TT held at the Ards circuit in Northern Ireland, with 21 cars failing to finish the race. Among that number were 6 of the 8 M.G. Midgets that took part. Photographed crossing Conway Square, Newtownards, is J.G.C. Low’s MG ‘C’ Type, the last of the finishers, while Eddie Hall’s similar car finished 3rd overall and 1st in its class. (This is an edited extract from LAT Collection plate ref: B8927)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This LAT Collection image (C10870) was taken on March 20th 1937, at the JCC’s Blackdown Scramble near Haslemere, West Sussex. As can be seen from the photograph, conditions for the event were “slimy” as reported by Motor Sport magazine in its April edition that year. All that can be gleaned from the markings on the glass plate’s emulsion is that the location is Quell Hill, one of the highest points in South-east England. The MG, almost engulfed by the mud, is a P Type Midget (BPL 999), driver unknown.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

The MCC High Speed Trial was an opportunity for non-racing drivers to sample the Brooklands circuit in a race, not against each other, but simply against the clock. As can be seen from this start line image, cars of a similar engine capacity and horsepower rating were flagged away together. In this shot, taken on 29th September 1930, is C.J. Fryer’s 1930 Morris Minor Fabric Saloon (RX 6119), four MG M Type Midgets, one of which is ex-Le Mans competitor (GJ 5326), another being A.J. Berry’s ubiquitous MG 704, while C. L. Robinson’s Midget (MG 1930) sits between the two. At the far end of the line is yet another unidentified Midget. Also in the lineup are what look to be two Triumph Super Sevens alongside two Austin Sevens. In the same event, on the 14th September the previous year, C.J. Linzell in a Minor Fabric Saloon achieved an astonishing and ratified average speed of 59.69 mph after 60 minutes of running. (edited extract from LAT Collection plate, B5027)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

There were a total of 66 entrants to the 1934 running of the WASA “A Day in the Hills” trial, which took place on a dry spring March day, starting from the Crown Hotel in Marlow, Bucks and finishing in Tring, Herts. Here are two images of MG 1316, an M.G. F1 Magna, seen on the left parked up at Marlow Bottom, while Crowell Hill is the setting for the second shot. At least four Magnas entered the event as they were named among the awards, but who was driving car no.24 is not known. Incidentally, five Morris Minors were also among the First Class awards, including those driven by Dicks, Bond and Greenleaf, three well-known trials exponents in the Morris Minor world. (Source Motor Sport report P272 April 1934 edition) (The images are part of the LAT Collection – plates C2544 & C2555.)

Miss P.D. Goodban was a prolific trialist and rallyist from 1932 until 1937, competing in at least three differing vehicles throughout the period. Her name is primarily associated with this 1931 Wolseley Hornet Arrow Special (JD 1953) seen here on the 15th May 1933 at the Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT), where the car is about to enter an observed section at Inverfarigaig, alongside Loch Ness. This edited image was extracted from LAT plate C0315 and is part of the LAT Collection.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

Little is known about this photo of a 1931 MG C Type Midget, other than it was taken at the Brooklands circuit in 1932. If more is known, then please contact info@prewarminor.com

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

The famous white chalk of the South Downs above Lewes in Sussex played host to a series of Speed Trials from 1924 until the outbreak of war. A sequence of local motor clubs organised the events, which quickly attracted some of the country’s top hillclimb and sprint exponents, including the likes of Malcolm Campbell, John Bolster and even Barbara Skinner and her White Minor Skinner Special.  This photograph of MG 2603, a 1933 MG L2 Magna was taken on 21st of October 1933, at a meeting organised by the Bugatti Owners Club, although the name of the driver is unknown to the writer. (LAT collection plate C2098)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

Victoria Worsley (top photo) was an accomplished and well-known female motorsport competitor long before the May 1930 Double-Twelve-hour race at Brooklands. The two photographs appearing here are believed to have been taken at the M.G. works in Abingdon in the run-up to the 17th May, the first day of the two-day event. Victoria and her co-driver, D.G. Foster, brought Midget no. 73 home in 20th place, helping M.G. take the team award, this result firmly establishing M.G. as a true sporting marque.  (Both images from the LAT Collection – Red plates 7755 & 7762)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

Date: 13th April 1935 Venue: Donington This report from Bill Boddy’s ‘The Motor Sport Book of Donington’, first published in 1973, is illustrated by a LAT Collection plate C5693 showing five Midgets in the frame at the start of this 5-lap handicap race.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

RLG 479 is a 1932 MG M Type Midget. It was first allocated this registration in April 1953, having presumably lost its original two-letter prefix at some point. This photograph, one of a series of six, was taken in April 1989 for one of the Haymarket motoring publications of the period. According to the DVLA, it is currently ‘untaxed’ and has been since March 1997. (LAT Collection Photograph)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

J. M. Toulain’s MG J2 Midget (TJ 2) is seen here participating in the first SUNBAC Inter-Team Trial, held in July 1933. According to Motor Sport magazine, just four teams took part, the M.C.C., North West London Motor Club, M.G. Car Club and the Singer Car Club, all of which were competing for the Autocar Trophy. Based upon Buxton, Derbyshire, the trial was held over a 62-mile-long course with 11 hills for competitors to negotiate. The Singer Car Club team were the eventual winners of the trophy. (Photo: LAT Collection)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This action shot of MG K3 Magnette (JB 3182) was taken on March 18th 1939, at the last pre-war running of the Inter Varsity Speed Trials, which was held at Syston Park, near Grantham, Lincolnshire. At the wheel is Peter Monkhouse, who won two of the classes that day, setting a new course record in the up to 1100 cc supercharged class of 29.73 seconds. (Image – LAT Collection)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

The 1931 RAC Ulster TT was run on 22nd August. This LAT Collection image (B6949) was taken by an Autocar staff photographer in Conway Square, Newtonards, during the early part of the race. Here, H.D. Parker in an MG C Type Midget leads H.J. Aldington in his Frazer-Nash as they speed across the square. Parker, in a car entered by the Earl of March, went on to finish in 7th place overall and 3rd in class, while Aldington retired after just nine laps with carburettor issues.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

Mrs Elsie (universally known as Bill) Wisdom in MG Magnette (JB 1475). This image first appeared in the 12th May 1933 edition of the Autocar magazine and is a LAT Collection photograph.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

In 1936, 85 MGs entered the MCC’s London – Land’s End Trial, a truly remarkable figure. One of these cars was this 1935 Bristol registered MG Magnette (BHY 431) driven by D.H.C. Fry, a member of the chocolate-producing, Bristol-based, confectionery family. Fry managed to pick his way through the hordes lining this observed section to gain a Premier Award. (LAT Collection image)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

The retoucher’s craft is clearly visible in this Autocar magazine column heading from the 13th December 1935 edition. The car is a 1935 MG P Type Midget (JB 6569) taken against a threatening winter skyscape. (LAT Collection Image)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This LAT Collection image (Plate B6096) shows P. Lucas’s 1930 MG Midget (JK 1268) speeding along an unmetalled road somewhere in the Scottish Highlands while competing in the 1931 MCC London-Edinburgh Trial. Lucas collected a silver award for his efforts on this, his first and only pre-war entry to this event

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

Max Millar was the go-to cutaway-diagram illustrator for The Autocar magazine during the 1930s. This rendition of an MG Magnette is a perfect example of his exacting work. (This is a LAT Collection image)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

For a period in the mid-thirties, the Bugatti Owners Club held a series of speed events on Gold Hill Common, Chalfont-St-Peter in South Buckinghamshire. This photo of MG K3 prototype JB 1046 may well have been taken by Bill Brunell, who attended this meeting in 1935, as a similar photograph of this car, at this venue, is attributed to him and resides in a national collection at Beaulieu. (This image courtesy of the LAT Collection)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This image was taken on 20th August 1932 by an amateur photographer in Conway Square, Newtownards, Northern Ireland, the event being the RAC International Tourist Trophy Race on the Ards road circuit. The 1931 event had been a huge success for the MG Car Co., with Norman Black winning the race in his supercharged Midget, with three further cars finishing among the top ten. The year 1932 did not go to plan, with just two cars finishing the race of the ten MGs entered. One such casualty was Norman Black, seen here in his MG, car no.27, who had to retire his Midget with axle issues.

Here is another Wolseley Hornet special image taken at the Eastbourne Concourse event held on 9th September 1931. This one depicts a May 1931 London-registered Abbey-bodied car (GP 100), similar in many respects to the concurrent Eustace Watkins model. Unfortunately, the script on the mesh radiator guard is indiscernible.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

KJ 4831 has previously featured here and is a 1932 Kent registered MG M Type Midget. This photo is captioned “France 1934” on its rear, while the architecture and ambience would perhaps indicate that it was taken somewhere in the south. The M Type is heavily laden, with its boot lid raised, as a crew member appears to be checking the spokes after inflating a tyre.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

J. Shewell-Cooper competed in reliability trials throughout the 1930s, almost exclusively in MG models, the sole exception being in 1930 when he entered an Austin Seven Arrow for that year’s ‘Exeter’. This photograph of his MG J2 Midget (JJ 5461) was taken at the 1933 running of the event, where he gained a Bronze Award. He was also a regular competitor in the MCC’s Land’s End trials as well as entering the 1936 ‘Edinburgh’. (LAT Collection plate C2357 appears here courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This recent eBay purchase is one of four images of this car now residing in the Network’s archive. KJ 4831 was first registered in early March 1932 in Kent. This would make this metal panelled MG M Type Midget among the last couple of hundred M Type Midgets to leave Abingdon. The car toured France in the mid-thirties, more of which in a future edition of TMC.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

Captain George Eyston was an unsung hero to a generation who grew up in the aftermath of the Second World War. While praises were sung for the pre-war record breakers Campbell, Cobb and Seagrave, Eyston’s achievements were not loudly trumpeted, even though he was the land speed record holder in Thunderbolt on three separate occasions between 1937 and 1939. He also broke many class records in ‘EX’ M.G. Midgets. Here he is pictured at Brooklands on the Railway Straight in EX127 having just negotiated the famous ‘bump’.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

Date: 20th April 1935 Event: M.C.C.’s London-Land’s End Trial. TJ 5000 was part of the M.G. sponsored Cream Cracker team for 1935. Here, J.M. Toulmin wrestles his P Type Midget around a bend on Darracott Hill, a steep observed section in the Cornwall countryside. Toulmin gained a Silver Award at this event. (LAT Collection plate C5780 – Courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

MG Magna Coupe (SN 5648) was first registered in Dunbartonshire, Scotland in 1932. This scanned image was taken from a tiny print that had been cut from a photograph album and was captioned “Miss Elsom and my Magna.”

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

In early March 1934 the W.A.S.A. held a trial based upon the southern Chilterns around Marlow, Buckinghamshire entitled ‘A day in the hills’. The trial attracted over 60 entries including Doreen Evans who is seen here on Marlow Bottom Hill driving her M.G. J2 Midget (AGY 339). Doreen  collected another first class award to add to her rapidly growing collection. This photo appears on P413 of the 9th March 1933 edition of The Autocar. A full report of the event also appears on P272 of the April 1934 edition of Motor Sport magazine. (This LAT Collection photoscan appears here courtesy of Motorsport Images.)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

Doreen Evans pilots a blue Bellevue Garage MG R Type up the hill at Shelsley Walsh during the Open Shelsley meeting held in September 1935. Her main adversary that day was Kay Petre driving the White Riley who went on to win the ladies event in a run-off after the two opponents recorded identical times in their final scheduled runs. (LAT photoscan courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

YG 4293 is a 1933 West Riding of Yorkshire registered MG J3 Midget (J3768) with an extensive competition history. This photo of the car, with P.B. Tanner at the wheel along with a female passenger was taken in April 1934 during the course of a West Cheshire Group Trial at an unknown venue. The car survives. (LAT Collection plate reference C3108 courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

In early March 1934 the Inter Varsity Acceleration Test took place on the Eynsham by-pass just west of the City of Oxford. Here 21 year-old Dick (R.J.B.) Seaman won his class in his MG Magnette covering the one kilometre course in 31.33 seconds. Seaman went on to become a celebrated Mercedes-Benz grand prix racing driver before a fatal crash in the 1939 Belgium Grand Prix. (LAT collection plate reference C2615 courtesy Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This photo of Cream Cracker MG PA (TJ 5000) was (according to its LAT Collection listing) taken at the Riley 24 Hour Trial held in 1938. This was Toulmin’s mount in 1934 and 35 but its not known who is behind the wheel on this occassion. (Photo courtesy Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

The right hand photo first appeared here in TMC no. 324 where it’s described as a 1929 Surrey registered M.G. M Type Midget (PG 2596) with a homebuilt trials body located “… somewhere on the West Coast of the USA or Canada during the late 60s or early 70s.” Subsequently, a second image of the car has surfaced (l/h photo) which seems to confirm that hypothesis with a finned American vehicle in the background of this latest photo find. The twin spare wheels and six stud wheel-centres indicates that it was probably involved in the trials scene when in the U.K.

An early player in the Hornet special body market was the Swallow concern in Coventry. Under the guidance of William Lyons they produced some beautiful bodies including this late 1930 two-seater for the Wolseley Hornet chassis. The car possessed a stylish boat-tail, which along with its three-piece windscreen,  prominent coachlines, louvered side valances and Magna wheels gave it a distinctive appearance. The same body style continued in production for over three years, an exceptional production life-span for a special body at that time. This LAT photoscan image first appeared in the 16th January 1931 edition of The Autocar magazine. (Courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This photograph was taken in Cheltenham, Glos on Saturday 26th February 1938 just prior to the start of the SUNBAC Colmore Trophy Trial. Here a gaggle of M.G.s queue for fuel before heading to the Plough Hotel the official starting venue for that year’s event. The event was scheduled to commence at 10:00 AM.  M.G. PB JB 7524 was being driven by E.J. Haesendonck that day gaining a 3rd class award, while J. Twyford was at the wheel of Midget BLG 363. (Data Source: Donald Cowbourne) (LAT Collection Plate C13677, courtesy of Motorsport Images)

While many cars with a pre-war sporting history have departed to that huge heavenly scrapyard some have thankfully survived. This 1932 Wolseley Hornet Special (PJ 6010) is one such example. It was driven in 1932 and 1933 by N.E. Bracey who took part in many of the national trials between 1931 and 1938 winning plenty of awards along the way. It was last seen and photographed by the writer at the 2021 Pre-war Prescott event wearing badges that hint at its illustrious past. (Black & white photographs from the LAT Collection, courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

The Bugatti Owners Club ran an annual hillclimb event in Chalfont-St-Peter, Bucks from 1929 until 1935. This photo of Doreen Evans expertly handling a Bellevue Garage MG Q-Type  (chassis QA0254) was taken in May 1935 at the venue’s last event, just a few weeks before she was to compete at Le Mans in one of Eyston’s MG PBs with Barbara Skinner as her co-driver. (LAT archive photoscan – courtesy of Motorsport Images) NB  Thanks to Tim Jackson in Oz for the correction.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

JB 7524 was a member of the 1936 factory sponsored MG PB Midget ‘Cream Cracker’ team. This photo was taken during the 1937 running of SUNBAC’s Colmore Trial with John Haesedonck at the wheel. Like many others at this point en route, his Midget needed manual assistance out of that morass with the rain ontinuing to fall. (LAT Collection ‘Motor’ magazine 35 mm film, courtesy of Motor Sport Images)

The 1937 Royal Scottish Automobile Club (RSAC) Rally took place between 17th and 21st May starting and finishing in Glasgow although not before 940 miles had passed beneath the competitors’ tyres. Here, Glyn F. Ritchie in a 1935 Dunbartonshire registered Wolseley Hornet Special (SN 6624) passes alongside an unidentified loch followed by two Triumph Dolomites. Ritchie finished 24th in his class. (LAT Collection 35 mm ‘Motor’ photo – Courtesy of Motorsport Images) 

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

A. V. ‘Ebby’ Ebblewhite flags away some of the faster cars in this Brooklands handicap race from 1930 or 1931. Car no.19 of the trio just released is almost certainly one of the team MG Midgets  that took part in the 1930 Double-Twelve race held in May that year.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

It is difficult to determine when this photograph of an unidentified MG M Type Midget was taken, perhaps just pre, or early post-war. The car looks to be a 1930-season model as it is fitted with the smaller wheel centres. Several accessories have also been fitted, including dummy knock-on/off hub caps, mud flaps, rear wing stone guards and what looks to be the factory option rear-wheel carrier, while air-cooling vents have been fitted to the scuttle sides. The driver seems well wrapped up for winter driving, albeit without any protection for his head!

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

Did this image cause a double-take? It is certainly an unusual photograph to be found in the TMC spot. However, a closer examination reveals that this photographer’s studio prop is in fact the body of an MG M Type Midget looking reasonably complete, albeit minus its windscreen. Sadly, with no caption adorning the postcard’s rear the who, where and when will remain a mystery.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This photograph was taken in Glasgow on a damp and dismal late January day in 1932. The two vehicles in shot were about to be flagged away to compete in the Monte Carlo Rally, Glasgow being one of the multiple starting-point venues available to competitors. D.H. Noble entered his Hillman Wizard (VC 9680) and was unusually towing an Eccles touring caravan, a facility which the driver and co-driver would use as their sleeping accommodation on their long journey south. G.W.J.H. Wright on the other hand was travelling light in his MG C Type Montlhery Midget (GP 2913) the crew’s belongings strapped to the C Type’s boot lid. As far as can be ascertained neither crew featured in the results. {LAT plate B7496 courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This interesting action photograph was taken on Saturday 6th October 1934 at Donington Park. The race in question was the 10 Lap Handicap. Here this quintet is headed up by R.J.W. Appleton in his Riley engined Appleton Special, closely followed by Dunphee and Allen in their supercharged MG Midgets while Don Parish in his 747cc Austin racer and C.A. Richardson in his Riley are at the rear. Despite trailing here, Richardson went on to win the race with Allen finishing second. The fastest lap was claimed by Peter Skinner in his Red Minor Skinner Special at 62.05 mph before he ignominiously ran out of fuel six laps in. (This LAT Collection ‘Motor’ plate 807-17  photo appears here courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

Having seen Tazio Nuvolari win the 1933 Ards TT in a K3 Magnette it was the turn of Charlie Dodson in an N Magnette to win (by just 17 seconds) the 1934 event in 6 hours 14 minutes and 24 second at an average speed of 74.65 mph, the race finishing in a thunderstorm. MG NA 0522 then went on to receive a new body and become Aramis (JB 4750) of Three Musketeers fame and an illustrious rally and trialling career. (LAT Collection Photoscan courtesy of Motorsport Images first published in The Autocar 14-09-34)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

Througout the Thirties decade the MCC’s Sporting Trial was run each mid-October based upon the Derbyshire town of Buxton in the Peak District. One of the regular competitors was A. Harper who first took part in a Morris Minor in 1931 followed by three consequetive years (32-34) in his 1930 MG Midget (WH 2668). The two photos seen here were both taken on Litton Slack, a tough observed hill, in differing years. The image of the car wearing competition no. 102 was taken in 1933, with the second photo taken the following year. His four appearences yielded three awards, two Silvers in the MG and a Bronze in the Minor.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This LAT Collection image was taken on 11th May 1935 at Donington Park, the photographer picking out Doreen Evans on the grid seated in one of the Bellevue Garage supercharged MG Q Types.  One of her competitors that day was to have been Barbara Skinner in the White Minor but she was listed as a non-starter. (Photograph courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This superb photo, taken on Madeira Drive, Brighton of D. Bishop’s MG R Type was taken at a late thirties running of the town’s Speed Trials. If a viewer is aware of the year in question and the identity of the driver in the second MG please email info@prewarminor.com (This LAT Archive ‘Motor’ photograph appears here courtesy of Motorsport Images) NB (Tim Jackson responded to the appeal by writing the following: “In regards to the recent Triple M Corner No.354, I think the picture was taken at the BMC&LCC Western-Super-Mare Speed Trials on 8 October 1949. The R-type (RA0260) driven by D. Bishop (No.34), and behind is a J3 (J3751) driven by F.G.Lomax (No.31). This J3 was the subject of Triple M Corner No.35, shown in Scotland when new and still in standard form.) Thanks Tim. Ed.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

MG 703 is a 1930 MG Midget seen here taking part in the Royal Scottish Automobile Club’s 1936 Scottish Rally. It was entered by Lt. Comm. G.M.D. Maltby R.N. who was placed 24th (of 32 finishers) in Class 1, for cars up to 1300 CC. Maltby also picked up the “Old Car Prize” for cars built before 1933. The gruelling event took place over a five day period (1st – 5th June) on a mainly mountainous course. The car is a survivor and has been owned by forum member Ian Judd for 50 + years and who also competed in the car during the seventies.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This 1930 MG Midget (DH 7834) was first registered in Walsall in the heart of England’s  Black Country around the middle of that year. From the luggage aboard the Midget, the driver looks as if he was about to set off on a solo expedition or long journey, with the passenger seat fully laden and what may be camping equipment stowed alongside the nearside of the car.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

Mr. Cecil Kimber’s Ideal Car (JB 3717)

Quote: “A standard M.G. Magnette touring chassis fitted with a supercharger and a special all-weather body (by Corsica). It has a maximum speed of 94 m.p.h. and yet is perfectly normal to drive slowly and in traffic without any trace of oiling up troubles, usually associated with a “blown” engine. This car has been put into commission for the personal use of Mr. Cecil Kimber, of the M.G. Car Company, for experimental reasons, with the idea of developing the supercharged car for everyday use.”: End Quote  Text – The Autocar 15^th June 1934 (Photographs from the LAT Collection courtesy of Motorsport Images) The car survives and is currently on a SORN although in a modified form. The car has featured here previously in Triple M Corner no.113.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This is an unusual photograph of a 1932 MG M Type Midget (MG 23 – 2/M 3341) as it was taken in an MG dealership showroom in either the late fifties or early sixties. (the tail of a new MGA can be seen alongside)  A rubber stamp impression on the reverse of the photograph provides a small clue as to where the showroom might be located in that it details the address of a photographer in London W.C.2, so the showroom was probably situated in London itself or somewhere in the surrounding home counties.  A possible explanation as to why the M Type might be present and centre-stage could have been MG’s 30th birthday which fell in 1960. The car’s MG 23 registration now resides on the front and rear of a 2011 VW. (The M Type survives and now carries UK registration SVS 374. The current owner states that the car was displayed in the University Motors showroom at 77, Piccadilly, London W.1)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This eBay image of a Cambridgeshire registered 1930 MG M Type Midget (VE 3686) was taken in 1962 at an old car rally in Waltham, Lincs. The car was owned at the time by A. Windley who lived 31 miles away in Mareham-le-Fen. According to the caption, the M Type had been fitted with a Morris Eight engine.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This photo was taken shortly before the opening of the French Motor Show or ‘Salon‘ on the 4th October 1934. The venue was the Grand Palais, located in the heart of Paris on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées. The two MG Magnettes must have just arrived as they sit among other marques awaiting movement to their respective display stands. (LAT collection ‘Motor’ photo – Courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

Taken on 11th April 1936 this LAT Collection photo shows H.K. Crawford’s Cream Cracker MG PB (JB 7524) heading up a queue of other MGs (with the exception of a solitary Singer Nine) awaiting entry to an observed section while taking part in the MCC’s 1936 London-Land’s End Trial. Immediately behind Crawford’s car is Cream Cracker JB 7525 driven by J.E.S. Jones. (Photo courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

In October 1930 two former RAF officers (Captain Max Hay RFC  and W.E. Wolveridge) started out from the RAC Club in Pall Mall, London on an attempt to circumnavigate the globe in their 1930 MG Midget (RX 7367). They were sponsored by the Shell Oil Company who were to provide fuel throughout their 25,000 mile journey. It is known the duo successfully reached Baghdad via a report in a January 1931 edition of The Auto Motor Journal but nothing is known of their subsequent journey or fate. This collection of images and newspaper cuttings have been assembled over two decades in an attempt to record details of their epic adventure.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

The 1933 Inter-Varsity Trial took place in the Chiltern Hills on the Buckinghamshire – Oxfordshire borders during the month of November that year. According to Motor Sport magazine the conditions were far from ideal for serious trialing as surfaces were dry and virtually hazard free. Here Cambridge University competitor H.H. Oak Rhind comfortably climbs one of the observed sections in his 1933 MG J2 Midget (AKE 212) before stopping for lunch in the Lambert Arms at Aston Rowant, Oxon (LAT Collection photo C2270 – courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The 1935 14 HP Wolseley Hornet Special chassis had an updated OHC engine of 1604 CC which developed 50 BHP along with a deeper radiator and surround. (LAT Collection photoscan – courtesy Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

The 1931 MG Midget Occasional Four (later MG D Type Midget) was effectively a long wheelbase M Type built upon a modified MG C Type chassis, so something of a mongrel if its Morris Minor grand parentage is included. Just 250 were built between October 1931 and May 1932. This heavily retouched official MG photograph (no.10269) shows the prototype at Abingdon, sporting MG M Type wheels (Rudge-Whitworth knock-on wheels were used for the production cars) and a louvre free bonnet. The survivors (of which there are over 50) are well supported by the MG D Group run by Ted Hack. https://mgdgroup.org/ (LAT Collection photo courtesy of Motorsport Images.)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

The majority of off-road competition for cars in the 1930s was restricted to reliability trials, although dirt track racing was beginning to make its mark. In some respects this form of competition was a half-way house between the popular trials and true circuit racing as seen at Brooklands and Donington Park.  Here at a venue in Surrey in September 1933 an M.G. Midget, an Alta, a Singer Nine and an Austin Seven Ulster create clouds of dust as they speed away from the start and begin to ascend a steep incline. (LAT photoscan courtesy of Motorsport Images) 

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This grainy photograph was taken in very poor light on 27th December 1930 and captures J.R. Easonsmith’s MG Midget ascending Harcombe Hill while taking part in the MCC’s London-Exeter Trial. There is little to commend this LAT Archive image (B5291) apart from its rarity and the steadfastness of both the car’s crew and that of the spectators for persisting in the awful prevailing conditions. (Photo courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

Syston Park was a regular venue for the annual Inter Varsity Speed Trials and was run over a half mile course that was formerly the driveway to Syston Hall. The hall was demolished in 1928. The 1935 event took place on a very wet Saturday in March (23rd) and is covered in full by a detailed report on page 232 of the April ’35 edition of Motor Sport. Here an unidentified supercharged M.G. speeds past the lake and a very scant ‘crowd’ of spectators. (LAT Motor Sport magazine photo appears here courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This night shot of 1934 MG P Type (MJ 3888) was taken in the early morning of 29th December 1934 during the running of the MCC’s London-Exeter Trial. The car was being driven by A.F. Plummer and is seen passing a timing point prior to its breakfast stop in Exeter later that morning. Plummer finished the event picking up a Bronze Award. (LAT Collection image C5149 appears here courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity. (Photo courtesy of Motorsport Images)

This LAT Collection image was taken on 31st March 1934 on one of the eight observed hills in Devon and Cornwall during the MCC London-Lands End trial. The 1932 MG Magna (PJ 5053) was being driven by well known trialist W.E. Kendrick, who went on to collect a Premier Award.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

The 1933 running of the Brighton & Hove Motor Club’s Brigton-Beer Trial took place on the 25th June. Seen here on one of the six observed hills is J.H. Freeman‘s supercharged MG J3 Midget (UF 9995). It was a good day for Freeman who went on to collect a First Class Award. (LATplate C956 courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

The Brighton & Hove Motor Club’s Brighton-Beer Trial was a major event on the trials’ calendar with many well-known protagonists taking part. This LAT Collection image was taken over the weekend of 16th-17th June 1934 and depicts MG P Type (MG 3141) being wrestled up a steep Devon incline by driver C. Threadgold who finished the event with a Second Class Award. (LAT plate C 4076 courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

Marshall supercharged, MG PB (JB 7524) was one of the factory sponsored Cream Cracker team cars for the 1935-36 trials season. This photo was taken at the 1938 running of the North West London Motor Club’s Lawrence Cup Trial held on the 28th May that year. According to Motor Sport the going was tough following heavy rain, well illustrated here by the crew’s need for assistance up a steep slope on Bagshot Heath. The car survives and was owned until recently by the late Peter Green. (LAT Plate C14637 appears here courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This black & white positive image was taken from a ‘Motor’ 35 mm negative and depicts a 1934 MG NA Magnette (JB 6864) competing in the Colmore Trophy, an event which took place on 22nd February 1936. The car was driven by C.C. Evans who wasn’t among the awards that day. (Photograph courtesy of Motorsport Images)

MG 2075 (J2554) was first registered in 1933 to H Walrond. However this LAT Collection (C13529) photo was taken in February 1938 at the Maidstone & Mid-Kent Car Club’s Blossom Trial with an unknown driver at the wheel of ‘Honest John’. The Teddy Bear affixed to the crossmember is probably the reason for the mirth amongst the spectators. (Photo courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

The MG C Type Montlhery Midget was a direct descendent of the MG M Type Midget of 1929. It came about following the winning of the overall Team Prize achieved by a sextet of privately entered, albeit factory prepared M Types at the Brooklands Double-Twelve race held in the spring of 1930. As a result of this success the MG EX120 (fitted with a 746 cc OHC engine) was developed at Abingdon for a successful record-breaking attempt at the Montlhery circuit near Paris in February 1931. The outcome of this further success was a limited production run of 44 cars based upon the record breaker, resulting in an emphatic triumph at the 1931 running of the Double -Twelve race when 13 C Types took part and ended up occupying the first five places overall. These Motor Sport photographs appear here courtesy of the LAT Collection.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

MG Magna (BPA 60) was first registered  to J.H. Leedale in Surrey in early November 1933 who then went on to enter all three major MCC trials in 1934. The two images seen here were both taken over the weekend of 18th & 19th May whilst he was competing in the 1934 MCC London – Edinburgh trial where he gained a Premier Award. (Both images ex Tim Harding Collection)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This photograph depicts what is quintessentially an English summer weekend scene. Although the protaganists are not in shot the spectators are almost crtainly watching a cricket match on their village green. The occupants of this 1932 Bristol registered MG Midget (HY 3519) have stopped at the roadside to take in the spectacle and to listen to the sound of leather upon willow and the polite applause that follows the scoring of a boundary. They may even retrieve the ball should it come their way.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This is the fourth occasion that 1930 MG Midget (WM 5228) has featured in this spot. This excellent photograph was taken at an unknown location, the setting suggesting the Scottish Highlands perhaps?

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

C.A.N. May was a well known trials exponent in the pre and immediate post-war years as well as authoring two books on the topic (Wheelspin and More Wheelspin.) Here he is seen at the wheel of the blown ex Cream Cracker MG PB (JB 7521) on 26th February 1938 while taking part in that year’s ‘Colmore’. It wasn’t a particularly successful event for Mr. May who collected a 3rd class award for his efforts that day, albeit it was just ten days since his marriage to passenger Joan. (LAT Collection ‘Motor’ negative – courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

UF 6441 is a 1930 Brighton registered MG Midget seen here inconsiderately parked on a bend in the road. The driver with spade ignition key in hand looks as if he is about to board the vehicle from the nearside, perhaps to avoid the risk of injury by entering from the roadway. The overcoat, scarf and plus-fours would seem to indicate that he was journeying in cold weather or perhaps he and his passenger just had a very early start.

The Autocar published an interesting two-part article entitled ‘Small Sports Saloons’ in its January 1st & January 8th, 1932, editions of their magazine. Both drawings seen here are featured in that article and illustrate the differing design approaches adopted by the coachbuilders involved. The ‘Occasional-four Coupe‘ was probably built for Eustace Watkins by Abbey Coachworks, based in Merton, Surrey at the time. The model also bears more than a passing resemblance to the 1929-1932 MG Midget Sportsman’s Coupe and was probably penned by the same designer. The designer of the Arrow Coupe adopted a different approach, using the accentuated rake of the ‘A’ pillar, swept wings and the rearward slope of the body to highlight the model’s sporting pretensions, its novel louvred wing valances adding to that impression. There is a strong direct link between the two cars in that the firm of Compton Son & Terry of Merton, Surrey became Abbey Coachworks when Compton left that business to establish A.P. Compton & Co, naming his premises in Hanwell, West London the Arrow Coachworks from where the Arrow Hornet illustrated above originated.

The North West London Motor Club were the organisors of their Lawrence Cup Trial, which in the late Thirties was held on MOD land at Bagshot Heath, Surrey. This photo of a 1933 Wolseley Hornet Special (AXC 181 driver unknown) was taken on 20th May 1939 and shows the car cresting a climb with just a solitary marshall in attendance. Had this been a scene from a trial held just a few years earlier huge crowds would have lined the course. However, with war imminent, controversial trial regulation changes in place, public appetite for these events had rapidly faded.  (LAT Plate C17330 – Courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

Another image this week from the late Tim Harding’s collection of pre-war car photographs. Unfortunately, this almost side-on shot precludes the positive individual identification of this 1929 MG Midget, its vintage being determined by the visible brake rods connected to the cross-shaft, forward opening doors and Morris Minor brake drums.  This one is also equipped with black painted side lights, while mesh stone guards have been fitted to its headlamps. Other amendments from the factory specification include the tail-mounted spare wheel and exposed horn.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This is a 1931 Renfrewshire registered MG Midget (HS 6373). The archive holds four photographs of this car which were purchased as a single lot but reflect different periods in the car’s life. This photo looks to have been taken when the car was comparatively new, its well-dressed owner parked up outside of an imposing property. The car has received at least two non-standard modifications, the first being the repositioning of the spare wheel to the bootlid (although this may have been a factory option) while the second is the fitting of dummy ‘knock-on’ hub caps. The car has also sensibly been equipped with front mud flaps. Interestingly, although registered in 1931 the car’s wheel centres are of the early type which were dropped from the Minor range in the autumn of 1930.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This is an interesting out of season photograph of Brooklands (LAT plate E7309), probably taken over the winter of 1933-34. It’s clear from this image that the Brooklands authorities ‘let’ their pits area either to private owners or a caravan manufacturer as a covered storage facility. The parked rear end of the MG J2 Midget (JJ 6731), a 1933 London registered car, may well have been the photographer’s mode of transport. (Photo courtesy Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

PG 2596 is a late 1929 Surrey registered MG M Type Midget. At some point in its existance (probably the 50s or early 60’s) it was fitted with a homebuilt aluminium or steel panelled body. It doesn’t look as if this photo was taken in the U.K., the vegetation, clothes and background vehicles would indicate that the location is  somewhere on the West Coast of the USA or Canada during the late 60s or early 70s. (The photo has been AI edited)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This photo of MG P Type Midget (MG 5000) was taken on a beautiful spring day (31st March 1934) during the running of that year’s MCC London-Land’s End Trial. With H.G. Symmons at the wheel the P Type was photographed crossing a ford on an observed section deep in the West Country. ‘Cowbourne’ records that car and driver did not feature in the awards at that event. (LATplate c2882 – Courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This is the third image of 1930 MG Midget WM 5228 to appear in this spot, following on from TMC nos. 311 and 321. Here, a young couple occupy the car’s bench seat together with their ‘bitza’ dog. The Midget is showing signs of age with fabric coming away from both the bottom of the scuttle and the nearside door, while the occupants should be commended for using the open car in what looks to be the winter.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

MG Midget (WM 5228, 2/M 1702) is a survivor according to the Triple M Register and was built on 22nd May 1930. The Network has acquired six images of the car all displaying the same modified body as shown here. Two shots of the car could have been taken in the pre-war years, while the remaining four (including this one) show the car in a run-down state and appear to have been taken in the early period of the Second World War. (Note the headlamp shroud)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

Although it appears to be a 1930 season car, GW 6470 is a late 1931 London registered MG M Type Midget which should be displaying a second bonnet catch and angular hooded wings. It’s location is also an interesting puzzle. Does anyone recognise those beautiful three-storey medieval buildings?

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This looks like an in-period image of a fairly new looking late 1931 (32 season) Brighton registered MG Midget (UF 7909). It is certainly unusual to see a photo of an M Type with its all-weather gear in place and illustrates perfectly why many chose to drive the car in all weathers with the hood down.

Following on from last week’s Hornet Specials image is another shot of the same car (EPO 192) taking part at what we now know was a Firle Hill hillclimb, thanks to the local knowledge of Network member, Keith Durston. In response to last week’s photo Keith writes: “…It looks to me very like the Firle Hillclimb about halfway up. The old track went up Firle Bostal from the village up to the top of the downs. Today the verges have become adorned with low scrub bushes which blocks the view of the weald below but there is a corner I have found on Google street map that seems to correspond to your photo shot. Having been up there fairly recently the view above the bushes is pretty much identical. Firle itself is only a short drive out of Brtighton so I think it all links together.”

EPO 192 is a 1932 Wolseley Hornet Special which is carrying a 1938 West Sussex registration. All that is known about this post-war image is that it was taken in the South Downs at a trial organised by the Brighton & Hove Motor Club probably in the late forties or early fifties.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This is a much travelled 1930 Cumberland registered MG Midget (RM 7401). In Triple M corner no. 151 it was photographed in Queensland, Australia sometime in 1934. On this occasion (image undated, although probably earlier) it is pictured on its way to the Great St. Bernard Pass in the Swiss Alps. There is much to discover behind this car’s story…

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

The presence of the post-war Morris Minor convertible helps date this image as being taken sometime in the very late fifties or early sixties. It looks like one of the cars featured, a 1931 East Sussex MG Midget (PN 9544) has not survived as it is not recorded on the current DVLA database. However, OY 1932, a late 1931 Croydon registered car has survived and has been in the same ownership for over a decade. If this photo was taken prior to the introduction of the 10-year-test then its likely that PN 9544 became a victim of that new legislation.  The clothes worn by the two young men in what looks like a middle-class suburban setting may strike a familiar chord with one or two forumists.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

For a short period in the mid-thirties the village of Chalfont-St-Peter in Buckinghamshire hosted a hill climb event organised by the Bugatti Owners’ Club. Noted photographer Bill Brunell attended at least one of these events and in 1935 took a sequence of photographs of the competing cars, including the closer image of 1930 MG M Type Midget (RX 7455) seen here. The course was set out on an area known as Chalfont Heights which today is a private estate of upmarket houses. On that day in 1935 the car was driven by E.G. Wardrop while earlier in its competition career (which included the 1930 MCC London-Land’s End) it had been driven by C.A. Shelbourne. (More distant photo appears here courtesy of Motorsport Images. Their reference being: LAT Plate C0240)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This eclectic gathering of early thirties cars includes an Oxford registered MG Midget (WL 8418). Strangely, it carries a late 1929 Oxford CBC registration, yet according to records 2M/1167 (the car associated with that registration) wasn’t built until 5th March 1930? Was this gathering a car club meeting or simply a photograph of the occupants of a pub car park? The manner in which the vehicles are parked and that the setting was considered worthy of a photograph, suggests the former.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

GH 1733 was first registered in South West London in July 1930, and was probably supplied by Jarvis of Wimbledon who were the main MG agent in that area. There are only a few personal touches to be seen on this car, the Stadium Autoscope drivers mirror, the front mud flaps and the positioning of the tax-disk holder. Other than that, the car looks absolutely standard with not even a badge adorning the front cross-member. The driver’s flat cap was also de rigueur at that time.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

KJ 1592 is a 1931 season MG M Type Midget (2M-2111). It was built in September 1930 although not registered in Kent until the middle of 1931. As can be seen, the photo was taken on a very wet late autumn or winters day, the marquee suggesting that an event was taking place. That the car had been driven over muddy terrain is also evident and the lack of a hood in place may indicate its participation in a trial.  (This is one of a number of recently acquired photographs that were originally collected by the late Tim Harding)

This shot was taken on May 15th 1937 during the running of the MCC London-Edinburgh Trial.  While the location can only be guessed at, the car and its driver can be positively identified thanks to Donald Cowbourne’s book, British Trial Drivers – Their Cars and Awards 1929-1939. The 1932  Eustace Watkins Wolseley Hornet Daytona Special (AKE 691) was being driven that day by L.B.B. Baker who went on to win a Silver Award. (This LAT collection photograph C11525, appears here courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

Throughout the twenties and thirties Capt. G.E.T. Eyston was an inveterate circuit and road racing competitor and also a three-times world landspeed record breaker. In 1933 he commissioned the building of a special bodied MG K3 Magnette in which he successfully competed for two years. The K3 Magnette was nicknamed the ‘Humbug’ due to its contrasting horizontal lines and it was in this car that he broke twelve endurance speed records at the French Montlhery circuit. The under-the-skin photo was taken during the construction of the car, while the at speed shot was taken during a record breaking attempt. (Lower image is an LAT photoscan courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

WM 5228 is a 1930 Southport, Lancs registered MG Midget . It certainly survived the war and has been allocated a Triple M Register number but is currently not listed by the DVLA. Perhaps it now resides overseas. Here the owner is seated on the boot of his car on a hillside. In his hand he is holding binoculars, either taking in the views afforded by his lofty position or maybe simply watching the wildlife. The large headlamps and spotlight do nothing to enhance the car’s front-on appearance.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

Yet another eBay sourced snapshot of MG Midget PG 8994 (2/M 1535). This late spring 1930 registered car was built on 26th April that year. It’s difficult to discern any interesting detail due to the poor image quality of the print although there is a badge attached to the front cross member. The car appears on the current DVLA database and last changed hands in September 2005.

This 1934 Wolseley Hornet special (30-183) appears to have a truncated homebuilt competition body. Despite its unglamorous looks, the car was obviously a successful competition mount, the two trophies testament to the skill of the driver and the car’s agility. The photograph was accompanied by a letter from British Leyland Inc., in New Jersey. U.S.A. dated 21st October 1977 to a newspaper in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania advising the editor that it is unable to provide any information about the car’s driver or the trophies he had won.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

Although not a Triple M car this eBay sourced snapshot image of a 1927 MG 14/28 Super Sports four-seater is worthy of inclusion here in view of what was to follow in the shape of the Midget just 12 months later. The Oxford built Super Sports was eventually made in four versions with Two and Four-seater open models followed later by two and four-seat Salonettes. Apparently capable of 70 MPH their prices ranged from £340 upto £475, considerably more than the £175 cost of a new MG Midget.  Just 150 of the lavishly equipped Four-seat version (seen here) were manufactured.

This 1934 Wolseley Hornet DHC four-seat special was constructed by Swiss coachbuilder, Robert Braunschweig of Zurich. While European coachbuilt bodies for British built rolling chassis were not a particularly unusual occurrence, it was rare to find one fitted with a body to which the Hornet chassis was unsuited. The original image from which this  LAT photoscan was taken, first appeared in the 13th July 1934 edition of The Autocar. (Photo courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

The caption on the rear of this LAT photoscan reads as follows; “Twin Camshaft 750 CC M.G. Engine which K.D. Evans will use in his car which he will drive in the British Empire Trophy Race at Donington Park on April 4th. The engine is seen on test at the Bellevue Garage 20th March 1936.” Beneath this in pencil is written, “McEvoy – Pomeroy Twin-cam R Type MG engine on Test bed.” (Photo courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This fabulous view was taken by an Autocar staff photographer in mid-May 1933 in the highlands of Scotland while covering the Edinburgh & District Motor Club’s Scottish Six Days Trial event. The 1933 season MG J2 Midget (FS 5757)  in the foreground was being driven by Miss M. Dixon who won a host of awards including Best Performance by a lady competitor, overall 847 cc class winner and a Silver Cup, the top individual award at the event. Additionally, she was a member of the MG Car Club team (Scottish Section) that won the Club Team prize. (LAT plate C329 appears here courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

It’s not often that a Magna model is featured here. This one is a 1932 East Sussex registered car (PN 9482) was  photographed taking part in the 1933 MCC ‘Exeter’ which was held on 30th December that year. Driven by G.H. Harrington, the car appears to be making a lively ascent of Simms Hill with the nearside door wide open. Harrington was later awarded a Silver Medal. (LATplate C2359 courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This image was taken outside the premises of Chelsea based coachbuilders Whittingham and Mitchell, the business being wholly owned at that time (late 1932) by Eustace Watkins Ltd., the London main dealer for the Wolseley marque. However, the car seen here is an MG Magna with a special four-seat body built for the Maharaja of Kashmir and was awaiting shipment to the sub-continent. (LATplate E3873 Courtesy of Motorsport Images)

1931 McEvoy Hornet special (CH 9869) is seen here taking part in the October 1931 running of the Reliance Cup Trial with (it’s believed) Squillario at the wheel accompanied by his wife ‘Johnnie’ Johnson. The car was used extensively that autumn and was driven on other occasions by Michael McEvoy (the car’s designer and tuner) and J. M. Suggs among others. The McEvoy Hornet was available in three versions, an 1100 cc two-seater at £265, a 1271 cc Two-seater at £240 and a 1271 cc four-seater at £255. McEvoy’s advertising material claimed that the model could achieve 80 mph. (LATplate B7323 courtesy of Motorsport Images)

AYF 239 is a March 1934 London registered Eustace Watkins Wolseley Hornet Special.  It’s seen here in September 1937 as learner plates are attached by 69 year old Sir Walter Windham who was about to undertake his driving test. The compulsory driving test was introduced in the U.K. in 1935 as just one of the measures taken to reduce the carnage on Britains road’s at that time. Sir Walter Windham was an aviation pioneer who introduced the first GB airmail services. His Wiki entry can be found here.

TJ 3906 is an early 1934 Lancashire registered E.W. Wolseley Hornet International used by the Lancashire Constabulary to catch “dangerous drivers”, this image being taken in February 1936. The driver and the photographer worked as a team according to the caption, although it’s not clear if the camera wielding constable sat in the car to take the photographs or was left at the roadside to gather the photographic evidence. Apart from what looks to be an illuminated ‘Police’ sign attached to the car’s front valance, no bells, lights or sirens are apparent.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

Bill Brunell was a prolific freelance photographer of sporting car events throughout the thirties. His images were invariably well-composed, although many involving people were contrived and overly posed. His daughter Kitty is featured in plenty of these but not in the two photos above, although they do serve to illustrate that point. It’s clear that the photos were taken at Brooklands on a race day or test day, presumably with the white overall-clad young woman about to drive the 1931 MG M Type Midget (MV 12), while members of her family were present to support her.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

Date: 4th July 1931 Venue: Brooklands Event: J.C.C. Members Day. Three MG M Type Midgets line up on the grid front row for a handicap race at the JCC Members Day meeting. Car no. 74 is a Sportsman’s Coupe about to be driven by M.V. Jellicoe, while Miss J. Bowman’s MG 12/12 (it could either be an 8/45 model or one of the original 1930 race cars) sits alongside Widman’s Triumph Super Seven. The third M Type, carrying its spare wheel on its scuttle, is registered TP 9650 and is wearing racing no. 28. A Riley Brooklands and an unidentified car beyond the Sportsman’s Coupe make up the remainder of the front row. (Image – Bill Brunell)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six-cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marque’s identity.

The 1933 SUNBAC Colmore Cup Trial took place in snowy conditions on the 18th February that year. The unidentified MG J Type no. 23 was driven by Kenneth Evans of Belleview Garage, Wandsworth who went on to collect a First Class award. (LAT Plate B9471 Courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

The M.G. F1 Magna was the company’s first six-cylinder car to use the Wolseley Hornet’s 1271 cc OHC engine. It was introduced in September 1931 and looked almost identical to the smaller-engined (847 cc) D-Type in that there was space for four occupants. The F1 was to be followed 12 months later by the F2, a two-seater model. This car (RX 9538) was M.G.’s press demonstrator and was first registered in Berkshire in the autumn of 1931, this image taken by an Iliffe Press photographer. (LAT plate E1996 courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

June 6th 1931 was a very wet day in Dublin as can be seen from this photograph (LAT Plate B6219) taken at the Irish Grand Prix which was held in the city’s Phoenix Park. There were eleven MG Midgets entered that day with C Type car number 32 driven by Norman Black eventually taking the chequered flag. The Motor Sport magazine website carries a four-page report on proceedings in their July 1931 edition which is available to view FOC online. (Photo courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

By the summer of 1931, Harold Connolly had been producing advertising artwork for the M.G. Car Company since the autumn of 1928. His work was stylish and distinctive as seen in this drawing of a 1932 MG 8/33 Midget Mark One Two-Seater Coupe.  As pointed out previously, this  Coupe model unashamedly targeted potential female buyers, presumably as the car offered a sporting performance with complete weather protection guaranteed. As seen in much of the advertising material of the period, the car’s occupants were either under age or particularly petite.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This small snapshot image of a late 1930 Derbyshire registered MG M Type Midget (RB 2951) is currently available to purchase on eBay with a starting price of £22.  Note the small dog astride the bonnet.

Date: 24th March 1934 Venue: Donington Park

H.C. Laird‘s bored-out (1454 cc) McEvoy Hornet special (RC 450) carrying competition number 19 is seen here duelling with T.A.W. Thorpe‘s Fraser Nash in the meeting’s fourth race for up to 1500 cc unsupercharged cars. Laird won the race at an average speed of 57.5 mph. (LAT Archive plate C2825, courtesy of Motorsport Images)

This uncaptioned snapshot image (left) of a London registered May 1934 Wolseley Hornet Special (AYR 868) could be of a Windover-bodied coupe. The LAT sourced image (right) of such a car shows off its elegent thirties lines which the snapshot head-on view hints at. If someone can positively identify the l/h photo then please contact info@prewarminor.com (Windover Special shot courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This image of member Bob Howden’s beautifully presented  1930 (31 season) M.G. Midget (JY 8840) is available online both as a plain photographic print along with a framed version. (It should be added that Bob is not the vendor) The registration carried by Bob’s car was first issued in Plymouth, Devon in the autumn of 1936 although his car first left Abingdon in November 1930, which begs the question as to what happened in the intervening period.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

This LAT photograph (C1055) was taken on 12th July 1933 on Queen’s Promenade, Douglas, I.O.M. It was on this date that the Mannin Beg motor race took place around the streets of the island’s capital. Among the 19 competitors taking part were a trio of supercharged M.G. ‘C’ Type Montlhery Midgets at least one of which can be seen in this atmospheric pre-race photograph. Also among the field that day was Billy Sullivan’s Morris Minor which started from the back of the grid. (Photo courtesy of Motorsport Images)

Here is another internet sourced photo of an unidentified, although London registered 1933 E.W. Wolseley Hornet Special. There are other photographs of this car in the same location with different individuals seated at the wheel, perhaps indicating that the car was new, or new to the family, therefore requiring photographs for posterity and the family album.

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

The 25th running of the London-Gloucester trial took place on 7th December 1935. Of the 107 starters, no fewer than 34 were MGs and among that number was a P-Type Midget driven by W.H. Haden, seen here in this LAT image, plate reference C7761.  The car’s registration is partly obscured, although it is likely to be DG 9539. Haden collected a Second Class award that day. (Photo courtesy of Motorsport Images)

Throughout the thirties, The Autocar magazine organised and sponsored an annual caravan rally. In 1932 that event was centred upon the Somerset seaside town of Minehead. This extract from LAT plate B8947 shows a 1929 MG Midget (MY 1212) alongside a small caravan which had evidently been towed to the site behind the Midget. The tow bar can be seen just forward of the Midget’s spare wheel, although how it is attached to the car is not clearly visible in this image. (Photo courtesy of Motorsport Images)

This retouched photograph of a 1931 CMS DHC Wolseley Hornet Special was a recent discovery in the LAT Collection’s vaults. The only other image of the model held in the Network’s archive is a scan of a Light Car & Cyclecar magazine shot which is of very poor quality.  Far more detail is revealed about this CF3 model than can be seen in the magazine scan. The car looks to have a capacious boot as the lock can be seen towards the top third of the tail’s arc. The manual advance/retard lever is visible above the door top while the Minor Saloon-based opening windscreen brackets, wheels and front bumper confirm the model’s roots. Other coachbuilders would have utilised the bonnet that came with the chassis, CMS haven’t. They have fitted a far longer custom bonnet with distinctive horizontal louvres. The aerofoil-shaped cabin entry steps, although not unique were another unusual feature. (LAT photoscan courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The 1935 Mannin Beg was run on Friday 31st May around the streets of Douglas, Isle-of-Man. Just thirteen cars started the race, seven of which were M.G.’s. This image was taken in the pits just before the start of the race. The three R Type M.G.s in the foreground in this LATphoto (C6220) were to be driven by Eyston (bending over car no. 16), Handley and Black. In what was almost a repeat of the 1933 event just two cars finished the race. The winning car was an ERA driven by Fairfield, while Dixon’s Riley was classified second. The Motor Sport magazine’s correspondent blamed the poor condition of the road surface on the decimation of the field. (Courtesy Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

The NWLMC’s 1933 London to Gloucester trial took place on 9th December and was a highly attritional affair according to contemporary reports. The weather was the main factor contributing to the majority of failures, as a heavy downpour during the day meant that grip was minimal on most of the hills, despite the competition tyres worn by many of the cars entered. Here, W.E.C. Watkins pilots his MG Magna (JB 2269) steadily up Iles Lane while a team of horses are standing by to assist those who fail on this very sharp gradient.  Watkinson went on to win a silver cup. (LATplate C2295 courtesy of Motorsport Images)

The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

The May 1934 running of the Mannin Beg race around the streets of Douglas, I.O.M. was a momentous one for the M.G. Car Company. Of the eight classified finishers, no less than seven were M.G.s with the first five places all being filled by Magnettes. This was in total contrast to the 1933 event when just one M.G. finished the race from the twelve cars entered. Here, G.E.T. Eyston pilots Magnette no. 8 along the promenade on his way to a 3rd-place finish. (LATplate C3683 courtesy of Motorsport Images)