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 huge crowd congregated in Blue Hills Mine, Cornwall on 4th April 1931 to witness cars and crews negotiating (or otherwise) the twists, turns and climbs of that cavernous man-made arena. All were competing in the 1931 running of the MCC London-Lands End trial. The image to be seen here shows A. G. Murdoch in his 1930 MG Midget MG 644 hitting a bank at one such sharp turn. Murdoch went on to eventually collect a Silver award. (LAT Autocar photoscan – this image first appeared in that magazine’s 10th April 1931 edition)

Major D.E.M. Douglas-Morris was a prolific rallyist & trialist throughout the thirties decade. He took part in all eleven Monte-Carlo Rallies betwen 1929 and 1939, six of the eight pre-war RAC rallies and over 20 of the major trials of the period. Here his 1931 Wolseley Hornet EW Hornet Coupe De-Luxe is pictured taking first prize at one of the south coast concours events (Eastbourne 1931) while parked alongside another Hornet coupe special, possibly bodied by the Surrey coachbuilder, Hoyal. (Autocar photoscan)

Throughout the twenties, thirties and beyond, the majority of Britain’s coastal resorts had photographic studios from which street photographers plied their trade, speculatively  capturing holiday makers on celluloid. If they could persuade their subjects to part with some of their holiday money, photoprints would rapidly be produced so that their customers could take the prints home at the end of their stay to show family and friends. Some of these studios included a semi-permanent ‘set’ in which cars and other props were placed against a painted back-drop. The use of parts of genuine cars as props was commonplace as were model vehicles. It’s clear from this photo (taken in Blackpool) that a Swallow Hornet Special is being represented although its small scale ensures the occupants look like giants!

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 scan from a 1931 Motor Sport film negative shows off this MG factory photo of their ‘C’ Type Montlhery Midget to good effect.

F. Allott competed in many of the major trials throughout the thirties and for three of those years 1932, ’33  and ’34 his car of choice was a Patrick bodied Wolseley Hornet Special. These images were both taken during the course of the October 1933 running of the MCC Sporting Trial for which Allott collected a Silver Award.  His Hornet (MG 2239) can be seen climbing the Rosedale Chimney gradient in an image that was published (or perhaps re-published) in the June 1944 edition of Light Car, the magazine having moved from a weekly publication to monthly as a result of wartime shortages. The second heavily re-touched Autocar image (LAT photoscan) was taken on Scarborough promenade and shows MG 2239 taking part in the driving tests element of the trial.

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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 of the Honourable Mrs. Chetwynd and H.H. Stisted‘s MG C Type Midget was taken on Saturday 13th June 1931 at the famous la Sarthe circuit during the course of the 24 Heures du Mans. The Stisted/Chetwyn car completed just 30 laps before being forced into retirement and was one of the 20 cars to be unclassified from among the 26 starters. The lack of spectator and crew protection at the circuit is clear to see, both from this photograph and contemporary images to be found on the internet and elsewhere. (LATplate B6269A)

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.

F. Fsorza took part in the majority of the major trials between 1931 and 1933 competing in either a Lea Francis or, as seen here, his MG Magna (MG 1419). This photograph was taken at the 1932 running of the MCC London-Lands End event held over 25th & 26th March and was published on P249 of the April edition of Motor Sport magazine. The concise caption reads, “F. Fsorsa’s Magna comes to grief on the first bend of Grabhurst” . He failed to collect an award that day. (LAT Motor Sport negative)

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 many talented automotive artists currently practising their skills and Bruce Thomson is up there among the best. This depiction of a 1934 MG PA Midget was discovered on Bruce’s website and was sketched during a brief stay at the Three Horseshoes in Thursley, Surrey. His website is well worth a prolonged look.

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 Car Company’s founder and chief executive throughout the thirties was Mr. Cecil Kimber. His personal transport for a short time during this period was this Corsica bodied, supercharged MG Magnette. The image is a scan of a photograph from an Autocar ‘edition file’ which appears here courtesy of LAT, while the small snippet and caption was found on the internet.

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.

RX 8306 was one of just 44 MG C Type Midgets built between 1931 and 1932. They were manufactured specifically with circuit racing in mind and the model’s design was based around that of the record breaking EX120 ‘Magic Midget’, driven by George Eyston in early 1931 at Brooklands, Montlhery and Pendine. These two images show the layout of the cockpit area of the 743 cc sohc racing car. These photos are two of a sequence of five taken for The Autocar magazine and appear here courtesy of LAT. (references E1334 and E1337)

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