Registration No: 764 UYE
Chassis No: P1589
MOT: Exempt

• Fitted with a Marshall supercharger and sports camshaft
• In current ownership since 1984
• Subject to an extensive 'chassis-up' restoration
• Retrimmed interior and full-weather equipment
• Offered with a large collection of invoices and V5C document

PLEASE NOTE: We have been contacted by the Triple-M Register who advise they do not recognise the car

Launched in March 1934, the P Type MG Midget was hailed by Autocar magazine as ‘a marked improvement in all respects over its forerunners’. Available in two- or (more expensive) four-seater guises, the newcomer utilised a notably more rigid ladder frame chassis. Powered by an all-new SOHC 847cc engine featuring a less flexible three-bearing crankshaft, ‘smooth flow’ cylinder head and improved oil filtration system, it boasted a very creditable 76mph top speed with the windscreen lowered. The four-speed non-synchromesh gearbox and rear axle were both strengthened (the latter gaining a four-star diff) and the brake drums increased in diameter from eight to twelve inches. The front suspension included Hartford friction dampers while the rear incorporated transversally mounted hydraulic units. A total of 1,973 MG PAs are said to have left the Abingdon plant before the model was supplanted by the incoming PB.

This PA, chassis number P1589 emerged from the MG Abingdon factory on the 26'September 1934, initially as a two-seater variant. Early history is unknown but in 1981 it was found with the body and chassis badly damaged in a vehicle dismantlers yard in Scotland, with the running gear in reasonable condition, minus the engine and gearbox. When the present owner acquired the car in June 1984, the chassis had been repaired and a new 4 seater body fitted by Favell coachbuilders of Ely. A BMC ‘A’ series engine had been fitted and the registration number was now ‘JR 3287’.

Registration documents had been lost, so the decision to fully strip and rebuild the car to ‘as near’ original for 1934 and a 4-seater variant was made with the intention to obtain a new registration number and V5 documentation. Rebuilt in his spare time over the next 25 years, most of the parts from Sports & Vintage and Barry Walker. In 2014, with the support of the MG Car Club, the DVLA issued a new age-related registration number. The vendor found the number 1589 on the chassis when restoring the car, however, later found in the MG PA Register there is another car using that chassis number with a PA prefix.

Subject to an extensive 'chassis-up' restoration, including an overhaul of the engine, wherever possible, every component on the car has been restored. The chassis had the alignment checked, bead blasted and coated, the wheels rebuilt with new stainless-steel spokes, the leaf springs reset and tempered and the gearbox, axles and hubs all rebuild with new seals and bearings. The front grille and headlights were repaired and re-chromed, the toolbox refurbished and all the bodywork painted. With any new parts, careful attention was paid to sourcing the same specification as those fitted to the original vehicle. The wood flooring, front wings and apron were all replaced as they were so badly corroded that they were beyond repair. The centralised greasing system was also replaced along with all the brake cables, shock absorbers and linkages for obvious safety reasons. The speedo and all the gauges were reconditioned by Vintage Restorations, Tunbridge Wells, the engine machining and white metal bearing work was completed by Formalls Vintage and Racing Ltd, Fordingbridge and the seats, upholstery, top and side screens renewed by Ashley James Autotrim, Bolton.

According to the vendor, 'the finished car performed very well, probably as good as if not better than when it was new but still it struggled to keep up with modern day traffic so with the fitting of a Baydon Jones sports camshaft, a belt driven Marshall 8psi supercharger and a new SU HV5 carb the driveability of the car has improved significantly making it a very exciting and enjoyable car to drive.' Offered with a large collection of invoices and V5C document.

PLEASE NOTE: We have been contacted by the Triple-M Register who advise they do not recognise the car

For more information, please contact:
James McWilliam
james.mcwilliam@handh.co.uk
07943 584760