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.

These two recently acquired images depict a mid-1930 Carlisle registered MG M Type Midget (HH 5340). The photo was possibly taken in the late forties or fifties, the Midget having undergone a skin transplant at some point, losing its original fabric covering and being reclad in steel or aluminium, while the owner’s garments also hark back to that period. The car’s scuttle provides the clue to its re-skinning , where a neat row of rivet heads can be seen joining the scuttle top to the side. (The factory produced, metal clad car did not make its debut until the 1931 season). As to why the Union flag is being displayed on the property opposite is open to conjecture, perhaps to celebrate the coronation of 1953, or the end of WWII ?

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.

Donington Park 12th May 1934: A hectic start to one of the feature races that day showing a solitary Ford Eight Special, driven by T.C. Harrison, leading a smoking pack of six MGs away from the line. The three Midgets with visible competition numbers were driven by; 19 J.R. Grice, 21 W.G. Everitt and 26 P.H. Lim. (LATplate C3411 – 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.

On Friday 8th and Saturday 9th May 1930 the Junior Car Club hosted the ‘British Double Twelve Hour Race’ at the Brooklands circuit. At this event a five-car MG Midget team created a considerable stir by winning the team prize, following a fierce battle with the much fancied Austin Seven team. The team Midgets that took part that day were all identical adaptations of the standard production versions, their team victory boosting sales of the model. Following this event, the five cars went on to compete throughout 1930 and beyond. One of these team cars can be seen here, taking part and in the thick of the action at the JCC ‘Member’s Day’ event on Saturday 5th July 1930. The question is, which of the five is it? (Edited extract from LATplate B4388 – 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.P. Squire‘s 1933 MG J2 Midget (ALP 363) is seen here competing in the 1936  MCC London-Edinburgh Trial (29th & 30th May) on one of the four ‘observed’ hills, these being, Park Rash, Summer Lodge, Wrynose Pass and Hard Knott Pass. He gained a Premier Award. (LATplate C8912 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 a Bill Brunell image of RX 8306, a 1931 MG C Type. A present day survivor, RX 8306 had an extremely varied competition career during the early thirties. Here the car is taking part in  what is believed to to be the 1932 running of the Inter Varsity Trial, driven by H.S. Linfield, the editor of the Autocar magazine. It also took part in circuit racing at Brooklands, hill climbing at Shelsley, speed trials at Lewes, and was driven on Pendine sands by G.E.T. Eyston in a class H ‘Flying Mile’ record attempt on 4th January 1932. It’s currently owned by Chris Cadman who continues to race the car in VSCC and other historic events.

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 May 1933 Venue: Donington Park – Second Donington Meeting. E.R. ‘Eddie’ Hall’s C Type Midget leads R.F. Turner’s Austin Seven Sports in the 3rd event of the day at the recently opened Donington circuit. The  5-lap race lasted just 11 minutes & 28 seconds with Hall comfortably beating Turner’s Austin Seven, which finished 2nd. Later that afternoon, Hall won the 5th event, another 5-lapper, in 11minutes 24 seconds,  4 seconds quicker than in event 3. Consistency personified. (LAT ‘Motor’ plate 807-12 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.

On 13th July 1934, in bright mid-summer sunshine, R.L. Doble was taking part in the Llandudno Trial aboard MG J2 GV 2183 (J4231). He is seen here passing a public house on “Badfort” on his way to collecting a Premier Award. (LAT Autocar 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.

There are at least six surviving Autocar and Temple Press images of YY 4, a September 1932 London registered MG J2 Midget. In all cases the car is taking part in one of the major trials of the day and is being driven by A. W. F. Smith. Smith presumably purchased the car new from University Motors or Jarvis of Wimbledon, the two major suppliers of MG cars in London. This photo was taken during the 1933 MCC London-Lands End Trial where Smith gained a Premier Award. The event took place in glorious weather and attracted huge crowds who lined either side of the test hill routes “ten deep in places”, according to contemporary reports. (While ‘Cowbourne’ records Smith’s first initial as ‘A’, elsewhere he is referred to as J.W.F Smith) (LATPlate C0003 – 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 1934 Mannin Beg race, held on an ‘around-the-houses’ course in Douglas, Isle-of-Man was an MG Magnette tour de force. with the top five places all being filled by the model. It could have been a very different story had Freddie Dixon (Riley) not ran out of fuel while leading the race just a few miles from the chequered flag. Norman Black went on to win, while George Eyston (single-seat Magnette), seen here on Douglas Promenade leading Dixon very early in the race, eventually finished third. (LAT Autocar 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.

W.S. Whittard was behind the wheel of this MG J2 Midget (DG 5458), while taking part in the Sunbac Colmore Trial on 24th February 1934, the photo being taken on Gypsy Lane. Whittard was also to take part in all five remaining Colmore Trials prior to the outbreak of WWII, on each occasion driving an MG. Unfortunately, in the year this photograph was taken he failed to collect an award. (LAT Autocar photoscan – courtesy of Motorsport Images.)