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)