Registration No: YVS 468
Chassis No: SA1725
MOT: Exempt

• In the ownership of the vendor’s late-father since 2004
• Resident in South Africa for over two decades
• Elegant and sporting drophead coupe with coachwork by Tickford
• One of just 2,738 examples of the SA manufactured (across all three variants)

In 1935, despite its impressive racing achievements, financial pressures forced MG to withdraw from motorsport and the newly ennobled William Morris and now Lord Nuffield sold the MG Car Company to Morris Motors, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary of the larger firm. The commercial success that would be realised thus came at the expense of offering more technically advanced designs proven in competition. Rationalisation was the company's priority during 1935, and all new models shared as many parts as possible with other members of the burgeoning Nuffield Organisation. Launched at the October 1935 London Motor Show at Olympia as a replacement for the KN, the 2-Litre Model - also known as the SA - represented a new departure for MG. The first all-new model to be introduced since the company's acquisition by Morris Motors and intended to compete with products from rivals SS Cars and even Bentley, it was considerably larger than any previous MG and caused a certain amount of consternation amongst enthusiasts who feared an abandonment of virtues embodied by the marque's nimble sports cars. They need not have worried, for although based on the Wolseley Super Six and aimed at the luxury car market, the SA received sufficient input from MG founder and designer Cecil Kimber to transform it into a car worthy of the famous octagon badge. Sadly, a six-month delay between launch and production handicapped their efforts as SS Cars stole a march by introducing the similarly priced but more powerful SS Jaguar Saloon ten days prior to the SA becoming available. It is believed that up to 500 of MG’s potential customers were subsequently lost to their direct competition.

Originally of 2,026cc, the overhead-valve Wolseley six had been enlarged to 2,288cc by the time SA production commenced and was further stretched to 2322cc in 1937. This was a tall engine and to allow the bonnet line to be as low as possible the twin SU carburettors had their dashpots mounted horizontally. Drive was to the live rear axle via a four-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh on the top two ratios (on all but a few early models). Wire wheels were fitted and the drum brakes were hydraulically operated using a Lockheed system. With 75bhp propelling a car weighing around 1½ tons, acceleration was necessarily leisurely; nevertheless, the SA could cruise comfortably at 60-70mph and had a genuine top speed approaching 85mph.

Initially available with Morris-produced in-house four-door four-seat Sports Saloon bodywork, MG quickly offered a bare chassis for custom coachwork and the saloon was joined in April 1936 by a Tickford Drophead Coupe by Salmons & Sons Ltd priced at £398 and, that July, a Charlesworth-bodied Open Tourer priced at £375 arrived to complete the range. By the time production ceased with the outbreak of hostilities in 1939, 2,738 SAs of all types had left the Cowley factory of which 350 were exported, with Germany proving itself the biggest export market.

In the ownership of the vendor’s late father since 2004, this stylish SA with handsome Tickford Drophead Coupe coachwork has led an interesting life having been resident in parts of Africa in the years following World War Two. The car’s early history is currently unknown but the presence of mounts for two spare wheels may well indicate it was destined for foreign climes from new. The property of one Keith Simmonds of Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) between 1974 and 1994, it was he who registered the car in South Africa around 1976. In the early 1990s he appears to have returned with the car to the UK and a copy V5 on file shows it being registered to his Gloucestershire address in 1994 under the current age-related registration mark. This is confirmed by a letter from marque specialists SVW Spares of Hull dated 2004.

In the early 2000s it enjoyed a sojourn in Greece as evidenced by a Greek insurance certificate covering the period 2002/2003. In 2004 it passed to the vendor’s late father via classic dealer Malcolm Elder & Son. In his ownership it obtained a VSCC buff form and was entered into a number of Measham Rallies and also gently exercised on European regularity events. More relaxed cruising abilities were ensured by raising the rear axle ratio and the original crown wheel and pinion accompany the car. Due to illness, it has seen little use over the past few years but has been driven occasionally to keep everything as it should be. Offered with Swansea V5, photocopy manual and assorted invoices for servicing and parts, this coach-built MG is now only reluctantly being offered for sale by the family.

For more information, please contact:
John Markey
john.markey@handh.co.uk
01428 607899