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 at a very wet Brighton Speed Trials in September 1933, this unidentified and stripped down MG J2 Midget raises spray along Madeira Drive while passing a row of bathing machines. (Extract from LATplate C1954 – 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.
Date: 17th July 1937 Venue: Crystal Palace, London Event: London Grand Prix
The first running of the London Grand Prix was primarily a British affair although the eventual winner Prince Bira, driving an ERA, was a member of the Siamese royal family. This photo shows ‘Goldie’ Gardner circulating around the recently opened circuit in his streamlined MG Magnette (EX135), although his laps were for demonstration purposes only. He later reported by ‘Tannoy’ that the car was difficult to maneuver around the tight track. Just 14 cars started the race including a late invitee in the shape of John Bolster in his special. Motor Sport magazine reported that his surprise inclusion was greeted with delight by the crowd, although he held up the start of the race as a magneto required changing on the starting line. (LATplate C12494 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.
May 1930 London registered MG Midget (GJ 406) is seen here competing in the Sunbeam Club’s Speed Trials at Gatwick, Surrey in the late summer of 1931. As can be seen, the rear of the car has been heavily modified, perhaps deliberately or possibly due to an earlier accident, as images of this car competing at that years JCC Member’s Day at Brooklands exist, the body then as originally built. The name of the driver is unknown. (Image extract from LATplate B7171 – 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.
March 1930, London registered MG Midget (GF 5384) is seen about to start an observed section on one of the eight hills featured in that years event. The driver is J.H. Illingworth, his Midget equipped with a spotlamp to aid the meagre lighting on the fast overnight run from Virginia Water to the West Country undertaken the previous evening. The windscreen glass is also non-standard and would have provided marginally more protection from the on-rushing slipstream than the glass normally fitted. Parked-up and awaiting his turn, is A.L. Mason in his 1929 Morris Minor Tourer (RY 7890). His car has been fitted with a radiator blind, the moveable louvres aiding control of the engine coolant temperature. Illingworth went on to win a Gold Award while Mason collected a Bronze. (LATPlate courtesy of Motorsport Images)
Here we see a 1931 E.W. Hornet Special being frantically worked upon in the pits during the first half of the JCC 1000 Mile Race on Saturday 3rd June. One of the two white overalled drivers of car no. 31 was 25 year old James Robertson-Justice who later went on to star in many British films of the fifties and early sixties, remembered particularly for his role as Sir Lancelot Spratt in the ‘Doctor’ series. His co-driver that day was the mysterious ‘H.H. Wanborough’; the mystery being that none of the motoring writers of the day knew who was hiding behind this pseudonym, or if they did, were not telling! The race was held in two 500 mile segments over the course of the weekend. Car no.31 however didn’t make it through to Sunday, retiring late on Saturday afternoon after completing 397 miles. (LATplate B8284 coutesy 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 wasn’t all plain sailing for the Cream Cracker and Musketeer MG teams in the thirties. Here R.A. (Mac) MacDermid manages to roll his P Type MG (JB 3639) whilst competing in the 1936 London-Gloucester Trial. (LAT Motor 35 mm scan 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 Monte-des-Mules Hillclimb section of the Monte Carlo Rally takes place on the steep inclines surrounding the principality of Monaco. This LAT photo (B7488) was taken at the 1932 event and depicts W. Keppel in his MG ‘F’ Type Magna (RX 9413) rounding a hairpin bend above Monte Carlo. He went on to come second in his class behind Norman Black in another MG. (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 J3 Midget was a two-seater, 746 cc, supercharged version of the J2. This car, registered as MG 2348 was one of just 22 J3’s built and is seen here on an observed hill while taking part in the 1933 MCC London-Edinburgh trial. Driving the car that day was L. Castleton-Knight taking part for the first and last time in that event. Sadly, he failed to finish. (LATplate C613 – 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 is seen here at the wheel of the Bellevue Garage MG R Type while competing at the March 1935 Inter-Varsity Speed Trials at Syston Park. (LATplate C8069 – 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.
WL 7171 is an Oxford built 1929 MG Midget which at one point was the factory press car. Many photos of this car survive, depicting it competing at Brooklands and at various MCC trials. The Bill Brunell photo seen here was taken on 6th June 1930 with L.A. Welch at the wheel showing the car ascending Park Rash while taking part in that year’s London-Edinburgh Trial. Welch however appears to be dressed for a day at the bowls club and not an arduous dusty trial, wearing a white Panama hat for the occasion. His attire did not seem to hinder him as he went on to gain a Gold award.
