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 eleventh running of the  MCC Sporting Trial took place on 17th October 1931, starting and finishing in Buxton, Derbyshire. The trial commenced at 10:00 AM with 50 cars taking part all of which were required to make two circuits of the course including the four observed hills. W. W. Whitnall took part in PG 993, a 1929 Surrey registered MG Coupe Special (perhaps a Jarvis model?) collecting a Premier Award. Whitnall entered another four pre-war Sporting Trials exclusively using a Morris Minor as his car of choice on each occasion. (LAT Plate B7289)

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 running of the MCC London-Exeter Trial took place over the 28th and 29th December and S.E.H. Bowyer was competing in the event for just the second time, having taken part in a Wolseley Hornet Coupe in December 1933 and picking up a Bronze Award. He fared better in 1934 taking a Silver Award in his new MG PA Midget ?KL 316, the model having been launched in March of that year. The location of this observed section (one of five such sections) is unknown. (LAT C5176)

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 second RAC Rally took place between 14th and 18th March 1933. There were nine starting points located across the UK mainland, starters from all points having to complete 1000 miles, their final destination being Hastings on the Sussex coast where a coachwork (or concours) competition took place on the fourth day. J2 Midget AKE 212 was driven by H.H. Oak-Rhind and is seen here leaving a ‘control’ although where this image was taken is not evident. The car looks remarkably clean so it’s likely to have been taken at the very start of the rally. Mr. Oak-Rhind did not feature among the prize winners in 1933 although he returned the following year to take part in the RAC  ‘Bournemouth’ rally, once again in an MG. (LAT Plate B9677)

The Wolseley Hornet chassis was extremely popular with coachbuilders who generally marketed their cars through selected retail dealerships. A number of these same dealers designed their own bodies which were then built by their coachbuilder of choice to be retailed through their own car sales showrooms.  One such car retailer was Fox & Nicholl of Kingston, Surrey who designed this attractive Hornet Two-seater which was built by Abbey Coachworks of Merton in 1932. As can be seen from an article in the ‘From the vault’ series an example of this model went on to win a class prize at the 1932 Eastbourne Concours 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.

Earl Howe’s K3 Magnette (JB 1472), second in class to Eyston’s K3 (the outright winner on handicap) in the April 1933 running of the Mille Miglia, is seen here at the Eastbourne Coachwork Competition (or concours) held just a few weeks later in June of that year. The significance of the very tall gentleman is not known and neither is the identity of the man looking directly at the camera and standing immediately behind the car. (LAT Plate C0755)

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.A. Bastock was a distinguished MG driver throughout the thirties period, taking part in every MCC Lands End Trial from 1931 until 1939. In his first two appearances in ’31 and ’32 he was forced to retire. However in 1933 driving J2 Midget OJ 3305 he earned himself a Premier Award as seen here in this beautiful back-lit shot. (LAT Plate C007)

The Wolseley Hornet chassis was a favourite basis upon which the nations coachbuilder’s could apply their craft.  This series will bring just a few of these examples into focus, courtesy of the image quality of the glass plate negatives stored in the LAT archive.

Maltby’s of Folkstone created this four-seat tourer body in early 1932. The design is conservative and mainstream being similar in appearance to a number of  Hornet models that were exiting coachbuilders workshops at this time. Worthy of mention is the small boot inside which sits the fuel filler cap and the spare wheel leaving little room for luggage in the space remaining. (LAT Plate Large 5552)

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 December 1934 at an MG Car Club  – Manchester Section Trial. The car in question (a J2 Midget XJ 7392?) was first registered in Manchester in early 1933 and is seen here climbing a sunken dirt track somewhere in the Pennines. (LAT Plate C5070)

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.

Three factory sponsored MG PA’s entered by George Eyston were co-driven by six women at the 1935 Le Mans event. Dubbed Eyston’s Dancing Daughters by the press in part homage to a well known all female dancing troupe of the period the team performed very well, bringing all three cars home.  Two of the cars can be seen in this LAT image (C6331), car 55 being driven by either Doreen Evans or Barbara Skinner (of White Minor fame) while car 57 had either Coleen Eaton or Margaret Allan at the wheel. The third PA was driven by Joan Richmond and Barbara Simpson.

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 8th December 1934 on an observed section of the MCC’s London-Gloucester Trial.  MG J2 Midget no. 57 KV 5437 (a 1933 Coventry registered car) was being driven by Mrs. M.M. Riley who went on to win the Ladies Cup that day, successfully completing all 13 sections of the tough course. Her mud bespattered male crew member looks as if he has deliberately left his arm resting in the wake of the detritus thrown up by the car’s front wheels. LAT Plate C5071