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 (LATplate C8716) was taken in May 1936 during the running of that year’s MGCC’s Abingdon to Abingdon trial. The Autocar photographer carefully chose his moment to take this photograph of Cecil Kimber who appears to be spectating, although his car is wearing a competition plate. A picnic basket lies open on the hillside adjacent to his female companion. An enlargement of the image also reveals that Kimber is carrying a 35mm Leica camera – what price a peak at some of his images? The MG Car Club’s official history records this solitary paragraph concerning the event:
June 1936: The Annual Abingdon-Abingdon Trial took place in May, starting as usual from the Factory with a running buffet provided by the company. A novelty this year was a special driving test held in the works grounds before the 110 competitors set off on a 45-mile run before the first of the trials hills. (Photo courtesy of Motorsport Images)
Postscript: Garry Waiting has pointed out that the car, alongside of which Kimber is standing, is a Singer Le Mans and therefore unlikely to be the vehicle he drove to the event!