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Friday, December 31, 2010

MG Y-type Saloon

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MG Y-type Saloon


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MG Y-type Saloon

The MG Y-type was a small saloon car built by the MG Car Company between 1947 and 1953.

When production ceased in 1953 8,336 "Y" Types had been produced, the breakdown being: 6,151 "YA"s (including 9 cars supplied to Swiss and Italian custom coachbuilders for special bodies), 1,301 "YB"s and 877 "Y Tourers".


Development and Launch

In the years immediately before the Second World War, MG had sought to supplement their popular range of 'Midget' Sports Cars with three saloons of various sizes and engine capacities. These were the "S", "V" and "W" models. The MG factory at Abingdon on Thames had grown by developing what were in essence Morris based products and they were always to be closely associated with what was to become the Nuffield Organisation (Morris, Wolseley and later Riley). The "WA" had an engine displacement of 2,561 cc, the "SA" 2,288 cc and the smallest of the group, the "VA", had an engine of 1,548 cc. The next development to the range was to include one more saloon, of smaller engine capacity than the "VA", and for a component base the Cowley design office turned to Morris's Ten-Four Series M saloon, which was introduced during 1938, and the smaller Eight Series E which was launched at the Earls Court Motor show the same year.

The prototype "Y" Type was constructed in 1939 with an intended launch at the Earls Court Motor show, the following year. However, as a result of the hostilities the public had to wait a further eight years before production commenced. All prototypes originating from the MG Factory at Abingdon were allocated numbers prefixed by the letters EX; this practice continued until the mid-fifties. Although the prototype of the MG "Y" Type was primarily a Morris concept from Cowley, much of the 'fleshing out' was completed at Abingdon. As a result it was allocated the prototype number EX.166.

When the car was launched the MG Sales Literature stated "A brilliant new Member of the famous MG breed. This new One and a Quarter Litre car perpetuates the outstanding characteristics of its successful predecessors – virile acceleration, remarkable 'road manner' instant response to controls, and superb braking. A 'lively' car, the new One and a Quarter Litre provides higher standards of performance." The UK price of the car was £525.0.0 ex works plus purchase tax of £146.11.8d.


Body and Chassis

Gerald Palmer was responsible for body styling and, in essence he took a Morris Eight Series E four-door bodyshell in pressed steel, added a swept tail and rear wings, and also a front-end MG identity in the shape of their well-known upright grille. The MG 1 1/4 Litre Saloon would retain the traditional feature of separately mounted headlights at a time when Morris was integrating headlamps into the front wing and it was also to have a separate chassis under this pressed-steel bodywork, even though the trend in the industry was towards 'unitary construction'.

The car featured an independent front suspension layout designed by Gerald Palmer and Jack Daniels (an MG draughtsman). Independent front suspension was very much the latest technology at the time and the "Y" Type became the first Nuffield product and one of the first British production cars with this feature. The separate chassis facilitated the 'Jackall System', which consisted of four hydraulically-activated rams that were bolted to the chassis, two at the front and two at the rear. The jacks were connected to a Jackall Pump on the bulkhead that enabled the front, the back, or the entire car to be raised to facilitate a wheel change.


Engine

The power unit was a single carburettor version of the 1,250 cc engine used in the latest "TB" Midget. This engine, the XPAG, went on to power both the "TC" & "TD" Midgets. The MG Y-Type saloon developed 46 bhp at 4,800 rpm, with 58.5 lb ft of torque at 2,400 rpm, the YT Tourer (with the higher lift camshaft and twin carburettors) develop 54 bhp (40 kW). With the exception of only the Rover Ten, which managed 2 additional bhp, the "Y" Type had more power than other British saloons of similar size. Indeed at the time many manufacturers were still producing side valve engines.


Interior

The MG Y-Type had an extremely high standard of interior furnishing and finish, in accordance with the best British traditions. The facing surfaces of all seats were leather, as were the door pockets. The rear of the front seats were made from Rexine, a form of leathercloth, which matched the leather fronts, as were the door panels themselves. A roller blind was fitted to the rear window as an anti-dazzle mechanism (not a privacy screen as many think).

Considerable use of wood was made in the internal trim of the Y-Type, where it was a major feature of the inside finish. Door windows, front and rear screens were framed in burl walnut, and the instrument panel was set in a bookmatched veneer panel offsetting the glove box in front of the passenger.

The Instruments themselves, a speedometer (and clock) and a three-gauge cluster of oil pressure, fuel and charging (amps), were cleverly placed behind octagonal chrome frames. A subtle carry through of the MG badge theme that was to be replicated later in the MG TF.



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MG VA Saloon

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MG VA Saloon


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MG VA Saloon

The MG VA, or MG 1.5 Litre as it was originally marketed, was produced by the MG Car company between February 1937 and September 1939 and was the smallest of the three sports saloons they produced in the late 1930s, the others being the SA and WA.

The car used a tuned version of the push rod, overhead valve four cylinder Morris TPBG type engine that was also fitted to the Wolseley 12/48 and Morris 12. The MG version had twin SU carburettors and developed 54 bhp (40 kW) at 4500 rpm. Drive was to the live rear axle via a four speed manual gearbox with synchromesh on the top three ratios though on some early cars it was only on the top two speeds. Nineteen inch wire wheels were fitted and the 10-inch (250 mm) drum brakes were hydraulically operated using a Lockheed system. In-built hydraulic jacks were standard. Suspension was by half elliptic springs all round with a live rear axle and beam front axle. Luvax shock absorbers were fitted, the rear ones adjustable from the dashboard

The four door saloon body was made in-house by Morris and had the traditional MG grille flanked by two large chromium plated headlights. Unlike the SA the front doors did not have separate quarter light windows. The spare wheel was carried on the left front wing with a second spare on the other side as an option. Inside there were individual seats in front and a bench seat at the rear, all with leather covering. A fitted radio was an option.

A special version of the car was made for police use and had a 1707 cc engine and calibrated speedometer.

The British Motor magazine tested a VA tourer which reached a top speed of just over 76 mph (122 km/h) and a 0-50 mph time of 15.8 seconds. With the windscreen folded down the top speed increased to nearly 82 mph (132 km/h).

The factory could also supply the car as a Tickford drophead coupé or as a four door tourer. The saloon was priced at around GBP325, the four seat tourer GBP280 and the Tickford coupé GBP351 all prices depending on exact specification. 564 tourers and 591 coupés were made. A very few chassis, probably only two, went to external coachbuilders.

Production stopped with the outbreak of World War II in 1939. After the war, MG launched the Y-Type to fill the small saloon slot.



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Sports Sedan

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Sports Sedan


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Sports Sedan

A Sports Sedan or a Sports Saloon is a descriptive term applied to a sedan automobile that is designed to look and feel "sporty", offering the motorist more connection with the driving experience, while providing the comfort and amenities expected of a luxury sedan. A wider definition that includes related coupé, convertibles, crossovers is known as sport luxury. Most vehicles in this category overlap with the compact executive car and executive car classifications, while the sporty small family sedans are called sport compacts (mostly used in North America).


History

The term was originally introduced in the 1930s and applied to lighter, more streamlined closed body coachwork fitted by car makers. Rover, for example, had Sports Saloon versions of several of their models.

It was later applied by manufacturers to special versions of their vehicles that allowed them to enter production cars in motor races with extra modifications not normally permitted by the regulations. Such regulations required cars to be homologated typically by selling them in minimum numbers to the public. Some of the earlier examples were the Alfa Romeo 1900, Triumph Dolomite and Lotus Cortina.

Traditionally Sports Sedans have a manual transmission and tachometer in order to provide that "sports look and feel" and are rear wheel drive, have good handling characteristics, and adequate power. Because of the US move to automatic transmission and front wheel drive these types are now also to be found in the Sport Sedan category. Recent Sport Sedans such as the latest iterations of the BMW M5 and BMW M3 had implemented semi-automatic transmissions.


Concept

The term "Sport Sedan" is not an absolute term, rather it is relative.

In North America, most luxury import sedans are often considered "Sport Sedans" because of their higher performance, handling, and expensive available amenities relative to that of mass market cars. There is some price overlapping, for instance as an entry-level BMW 328i has a similar (manufacturer's) suggested retail price to a Toyota Camry XLE V6.

The term "Sport Sedan" also came into being, when comparing luxury import sedans (i.e. BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz), which were smaller cars popular with young buyers that focused on performance and handling, to domestic luxury marques such as Cadillac and Lincoln, for older customers and which emphasized size and comfort. In the 1980s and 1990s, the change in consumer demographics towards smaller and sportier luxury cars, along with Japanese luxury brands, led to a decline in the prestige of domestic luxury marques, whose chief offerings were the Cadillac DeVille and Lincoln Town Car. However, since the 2000s, Cadillac and Lincoln have begun producing competitive models such as the Cadillac CTS and Lincoln LS. Buick was retained as General Motors's traditional luxury brand and emphasized comfort and amenities instead of driving experience.

Luxury performance sedans sold in North American have a smaller range of engines, tending towards the high-powered side, compared to their European lineups. For instance Mercedes-Benz advertises all of the 2009 US/Canadian models of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class as a "Sport Sedan", not just the high-performance C63 AMG. In Europe, however, where most of these marques are produced domestically, only the top-performing models are known as Sport Sedans.

In the midsize sedan category in North America, the 2008 Nissan Altima has been described as the sportiest in its classification, compared to the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. The first-generation Mazda6 and Mazda3 were also known as Sport Sedans as well, when tested against other vehicles in their size class.



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Thursday, December 30, 2010

MG R-Type Midget

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MG R-Type Midget


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MG R-Type Midget

The MG R-Type Midget was produced by the MG Car company in 1935. It was designed for competition use and was a development of the Q-Type.

The car used a tuned short stroke (73 mm) version of the bevel gear driven overhead camshaft engine from the 1928 Morris Minor and Wolseley 10. This had already been highly tuned for use in the Q-type and was further modified, especially in the input area, to improve reliability. It was fitted with a Zoller supercharger and produced 110 bhp (82 kW) at 7200 rpm. The gearbox was a four speed preselector type unit. At the rear the differential in its aluminium casing was fastened to the chassis and drove the wheels through short shafts with sliding splines and universal joints.

The steel chassis was revolutionary and was Y shaped with a backbone that divided around the engine and gearbox and was very light. The suspension was independent all round, making a first for MG and possibly the British motor industry, and used wishbones and longitudinal torsion bars allowing a large amount of wheel travel to allow for the poor surfaces on many of the contemporary racing circuits, especially Brooklands. Lever arm hydraulic shock absorbers were used. The brakes were cable operated using 12 inch (305 mm) drums and the wheels were wire spoked and secured by a centre lock nut.

The single seat body had the appearance of a miniature Grand Prix racer and was formed from aluminium and designed to be easily removable.

The car was offered to the public at £750 and the initial ten were sold to pre selected customers. A further batch was planned but never happened. A car changed hands at auction in 2006 for £130,000.

The first major sporting outing was to Brooklands for the International Trophy where a six car team including three works entries appeared but the best result was a 6th place and none of the works cars finished. It was realised that the suspension was giving problems, mainly with the rear being too soft, and solutions were proposed but all work stopped when new boss Leonard Lord closed the MG Racing Department. Private entries to competition continued and the works cars were sold to the Evans family who already owned one of the other cars.


MG R-Type Midget

Manufacturer MG Car Company
Production : 1935 (10 made)
Predecessor : MG Q-Type Midget
Class : FR layout (competition car)
Body style(s) : single seat
Engine(s) : 746 cc supercharged Straight-4
Curb weight : 1400 pounds (620 kg)



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MG Q-type Midget

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MG Q-type Midget


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MG Q-type Midget

The MG Q-Type Midget (sometimes referred to as the QA) was a racing car produced by the MG Car company in 1934. The chassis was based on the one used on the MG K3 but was narrower and used N-Type axles. The engine used the cylinder block from the P-type but with a special crankshaft to bring the capacity down to 746 cc by reducing the stroke from 83 mm (3.3 in) to 71 mm (2.8 in). A high pressure Zoller supercharger was fitted giving a boost to 2.5 atmospheres (1.8kg/cc) and allowing the engine to produce 113 bhp (84 kW) at 7200 rpm. A sprint version was also made with output increased to 146 bhp (109 kW) which at nearly 200 bhp (150 kW) per litre was the highest specific output of any engine in the world at the time.

Probably only eight were made (Michael Sedgwick states nine) as the car was expensive at £550-650 and the rigid axle chassis had difficulty in dealing with the power of the engine. The single seat version achieved a lap speed of 122 mph (196 km/h) at Brooklands race track driven by George Harvey-Noble and the two seater was capable of 120 mph (190 km/h).


MG Q-Type Midget

Manufacturer MG Car Company
Production : 1934 (8 made)
Predecessor : none
Successor : MG R-Type Midget
Class : Racing car
Body style(s) : open single or two seat
Engine(s) : 746 cc four cylinder, overhead cam, supercharged.
Transmission(s) : four speed preselector
Wheelbase : 94 in (2,388 mm)
Length : 143 in (3,632 mm)
Width : 53 in (1,346 mm)



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MG P-type Midget

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MG P-type Midget


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MG P-type Midget

The MG P-type Midget was produced by the MG Car company from 1934 to 1936. This 2 door sports car used an updated version of the overhead camshaft, crossflow engine, used in the 1928 Morris Minor and Wolseley 10 and previously fitted in the J-type Midget of 1932 to 1934, driving the rear wheels through a four speed non-synchromesh gearbox. The chassis was a strengthened and slightly longer version of that used in the J-type with suspension by half elliptic springs all round with rigid front and rear axles. Steering was initially by a Marles Weller and later a Bishop Cam system. The two-seat car had a wheelbase of 87 inches (2210 mm) and a track of 42 inches (1067 mm). Most cars were open two seaters but streamlined Airline coupé bodies were also made. The P-type was also available as a four-seater; a car that suffered from a lack of power and poor rear ground clearance. Whereas J, K and L-type MGs differentiated between versions with the use of numbers, with 1 indicating a four seater (i.e. J1) and 2 a two-seater (i.e. J2), this was not the case with the P-type (or its six-cylinder sister, the N-Type Magnette), and there is no clue to the type in the name.

The first version, the PA used an 847 cc engine similar to the one on the J-Type but now with a 3 bearing crankshaft, larger camshaft and twin SU carburettors. It produced 36 bhp (27 kW) at 5,500 rpm.

The PB produced from 1935 had a bigger 939 cc engine made by enlarging the bore from 57 to 60 mm and this increased the output to 43 bhp (32 kW). Externally the versions are very similar, the main difference being the radiator grille, where the PA has a honeycomb and the PB has vertical slats. The other obvious difference is in the design and material of the standard dashboard.

There was also a racing version, the MG PA Race 6, with a 6-cylinder inline engine. The smaller engine had 1272 cc, which delivered 72 bhp (54 kW). Furthermore, there was a 1.4-liter engine with supercharging, which increased the output to 170 bhp (127 kW). This brought the car to 220 km/h (137 mph).

2,000 of the PA and 526 of the PB were made. In 1935 a PA open two seater cost £222.


MG P-type Midget

Manufacturer MG Car Company
Production : 1934-1936 (2500 made)
Predecessor : MG J-type Midget
Successor : TA
Class : Sports Car
Body style(s) : 2-door roadster (Airline coupé)
Wheelbase : 87.25 in (2216 mm)
Length : 131 in (3327 mm)
Width : 52.5 in (1334 mm)


MG PA

Production : 1934-1935 (2000 made)
Body style(s) : 2 and 4-seat open tourer (Foursome Coupé)
Engine(s) : 847 cc In-line 4


MG PB

Production : 1935-1936 (526 made)
Body style(s) : 2 and 4-seat open tourer
Engine(s) : 939 cc In-line 4



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Wednesday, December 29, 2010

MG N-type Magnette

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MG N-Type Magnette


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MG N-Type Magnette

The MG N-Type Magnette was produced by the MG Car company from October 1934 to 1936. The car was developed from the K-type and L-type but had a new chassis that broke away in design from the simple ladder type used on the earlier cars of the 1930s being wider at the rear than the front and with the body fitted to outriggers off the main frame.


NA

The engine was a further development of the 1271 cc 6 cylinder KD series overhead camshaft engine used in the K-type and originally used in the 1930 Wolseley Hornet. Modifications were made to the cylinder block and head and fitted with twin SU carburettors it produced 56 bhp (42 kW) at 5500 rpm, a near 25% improvement. Drive was to the rear wheels through a four speed non-synchromesh gearbox. The car had a wheelbase of 96 inches (2439 mm) and a track of 45 inches (1143 mm). Semi elliptic leaf springs, wider and longer than those used on previous cars, were fitted all round and the body was mounted to the chassis using rubber pads.

The factory supplied body was new and taller than on earlier cars, the doors were rear hinged and featured cut-away tops. The slab type fuel tank at the rear which had featured on earlier models was no longer seen on the N-Type, being hidden in the tail. As well as the open cars, an Airline Coupé model was also available but few were sold. Some cars were supplied in chassis form to outside coachbuilders including Allingham, (actually made by Carbodies) who made a 2/4 seater where the rear seats could be closed off by a removable deck to appear like a 2 seater, and Abbey.


NB

The NB, announced in 1935, had an updated body with lower lines and vertical slats on the radiator grille. The doors were now front hinged, better seats were fitted and the instruments re-arranged with the speedometer and tachometer now having separate dials. The Airline Coupé body was still available as well.


ND

The ND was a special model using unsold MG K2 bodies fitted to the N-Type chassis probably only available in 1934. The number made is uncertain as the model does not seem to have been officially listed.


NE

The NE was the competition variant built for the 1934 Tourist Trophy race. Lightweight 2 seat bodies were fitted and the engine was further tuned to give 68 bhp (51 kW) at 6500 rpm. In 1935 three of the cars were fitted with P-type style bodies and formed the Musketeer racing team which with factory support gained considerable success in various trials.


MG N-Type Magnette

Manufacturer MG Car Company
Production : 1934-1936 (745 built)
Predecessor : MG L-type Magna and MG K-type Magnette
Successor : none
Class : Sports Car
Engine(s) : 1271 cc In-line 6
Transmission(s) : 4 speed manual


MG NA

Production : 1934-1935
Body style(s) : 2 and 4-seat open tourer (Foursome Coupé)
Engine(s) : 1271 cc In-line 6


MG NB

Production : 1935-1936
Body style(s) : 2 and 4-seat open tourer
Engine(s) : 1271 cc In-line 6


MG ND

Production : 1934 [40 (approx) built]
Body style(s) : 2-seat open tourer
Engine(s) : 1271 cc In-line 6


MG NE

Production : 1934 (7 built)
Body style(s) : 2-seat competition car
Engine(s) : 1271 cc In-line 6



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Tuesday, December 28, 2010

MG L-type Magna

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MG L-type Magna


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MG L-type Magna

The MG L-type Magna was produced by the MG Car company in 1933 and 1934.

This 2 door Sports Car used a smaller version of the 6 cylinder overhead camshaft, crossflow engine which now had a capacity of 1086 cc with a bore of 57 mm and stroke of 71 mm and produced 41 bhp (31 kW) at 5500 rpm. It was previously fitted in the 1930 Wolseley Hornet and the 1931 MG F-Type Magna . Drive was to the rear wheels through a four speed non-synchromesh gearbox. The chassis was a narrower version of that used in the K-type with suspension by half elliptic springs all round with rigid front and rear axles.

The car had a wheelbase of 94 inches (2388 mm) and a track of 42 inches (1067 mm).

The brakes, which were the same as in the J2, were cable operated with 12-inch (300 mm) drums all round.

The body kept the sloping radiator seen on the F-Type but the car now had sweeping wings and the four seater had cut away doors.

The L1 was the four seat, coupé and saloon version and the L2 the 2 seater. The coupé, or Continental Coupé as it was called, was available in some very striking two tone colours but was a slow seller and the 100 that were made were available for a long time after the rest of the range had sold out. As a rarity it is now a highly desirable car. The bodies for the small saloon or salonette version was not made by MG but bought in from Abbey.

The L-type was a successful competition car with victories in the 1933 Alpine Trial and Brooklands relay race.

When new a L1 tourer cost £299 and a Continental CoupĂ© £350.


MG L-type Magna

Manufacturer MG Car Company
Production : 1933-1934 (576 made)
Predecessor : MG F-Type Magna
Successor : MG N-Type Magnette
Class : Sports Car
Engine(s) : 1087 cc Straight-6


MG L1 "Magna"

Production : 1933-1934 (486 made)
Body style(s) : 4 seat roadster (Continental coupé, Salonette)


MG L2 "Magna"

Production : 1933-1934 (90 made)
Body style(s) : 2 seat roadster



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MG K-type Magnette

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MG K-type Magnette


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MG K-type Magnette

The MG K-type Magnette was produced by the MG Car company from October 1932 to 1934.

Launched at the 1932 London Motor Show, the K-type replaced the F-Type Magna but having at first a slightly smaller capacity engine it took the name Magnette. The chassis was similar to the Magna but strengthened and had the track increased by 6 inches (150 mm) to 48 inches (1200 mm) and was available in two lengths with a wheelbase of either 94 inches (2388 mm) or 108 inches (2743 mm). The steering was modified with a patented divided track rod which was claimed to reduce kick back at the steering wheel. The brakes were cable operated with 13 inch (330 mm) drums made of "Electron", a light alloy, with shrunk in steel liners. Suspension by half elliptic springs and Hartford friction shock absorbers all round with rigid front and rear axles. Wire wheels with 4.75 x 19 tyres and centre lock fixing were used.

The engines were based on a Wolseley overhead camshaft design used first in the 1930 Wolseley Hornet and subsequently used by MG in the F-Type but subject to a major re-design. The stroke was reduced from 83 mm to 71 mm to reduce the capacity from 1272 cc to 1087 cc and a cross flow cylinder head fitted. Fitted at first with triple SU carburetors it produced 39 bhp (29 kW) at 5500 rpm. In early 1933 a modified version of the engine was announced that had improved valve timing and only two carburettors but the output was up at 41 bhp (31 kW). This engine was called the KB and the previous version, which continued in use, the KA. In late 1933 they were joined by the KD with a larger 1271 cc capacity by returning to the F-Type stroke of 83 mm but with the improved cylinder head and timing power was up to 48.5 bhp (36.2 kW). (The F-Type had only been rated at 37 bhp.) In addition there was the KC engine for the racing cars. This retained the 1087 cc capacity but with the aid of a supercharger power was up at 120 bhp (89 kW) at 6500 rpm.

Drive was to the rear wheels through either a four speed non-synchromesh gearbox or ENV made pre-selector type.

All the road cars were capable of reaching 75 mph (121 km/h).


K1

This was the original K having the long chassis and was first shown with the saloon body, KA engine and pre-selector gearbox all costing £445, quite expensive at the time. It was soon joined by a tourer with KB engine and manual gearbox. Later the saloon could also be had with KD engine and pre-selector.

54 K1s with KA engines, 74 with KB engines and 53 with KDs were made. Not many of the saloons were sold and surplus bodies/chassis were later fitted with MG "N" type engines and sold as the MG KN Magnette.


K2

The K2 was the open 2 seater and so had the shorter chassis. It had at first the KB engine and manual box but later cars could have the KD with pre-selector.

16 were made with KB engines and a further 4 with KD engines.



K3

The K3 was the racing variant and used the short chassis. The KC engine at first used a Powerplus supercharger replaced later by a Marshall made one. They were prominently mounted in front of the engine below the radiator. Pre-selector gearboxes were used. They were successfully raced in 1933, winning the 1100 cc class in the Mille Miglia and scoring an outright vistory in the Ulster RAC Tourist Trophy (TT) race where the car was driven by Tazio Nuvolari. Only 33 were made and as well as the works cars they could be bought for £795 but subsequently quite a few replicas have been made often from the K1 and K2 models.


MG K-type Magnette

Manufacturer MG Car Company
Production : 1932-1934 (approx 250 units)
Predecessor : MG F-Type Magna
Successor : MG N-Type Magnette
Class : Sports Car (Racing car)


MG K1

Production : 1932-1934 (181 units)
Body style(s) : 4 seat open tourer 4-door pillarless saloon
Engine(s) : Straight-6 1087 cc


MG K2

Production : 1933-1934 (20 units)
Body style(s) : 2 seat open tourer
Engine(s) : 1087/1271 cc n-line 6


MG K3

Production : 1933-1934 (33 units)
Body style(s) : 2 seat sports/racer
Engine(s) : 1087 cc In-line 6 (supercharged)



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MG J-type Midget

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MG J-type Midget


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MG J-type Midget

The MG J-type was produced by the MG Car company from 1932 to 1934. This 2 door sports car used an updated version of the overhead camshaft, crossflow engine, used in the 1928 Morris Minor and Wolseley 10 and previously fitted in the MG M-type Midget of 1929 to 1932, driving the rear wheels through a four speed non-synchromesh gearbox. The chassis was from the D-type with suspension by half elliptic springs and Hartford friction shock absorbers all round with rigid front and rear axles. The car had a wheelbase of 86 inches (2184 mm) and a track of 42 inches (1067 mm). Most cars were open two seaters but a closed salonette version of the J1 was also made and some chassis were supplied to external coachbuilders. The open cars can be distinguished from the M-type by having cut away tops to the doors.

J1

The J1 was the four seat car in the range. The engine was the 847 cc unit previously seen in the C-type with twin SU carburetors giving 36 bhp. The car cost £220 in open and £225 in Salonette form.


J2

The J2 was the commonest car in the range and was a road going 2 seater. Early cars had cycle wings but these were replaced in 1933 by the full length type that was typical of all sports MGs up to the 1950's TF. The top speed of a standard car was 65 mph but a specially prepared one tested by The Autocar magazine reached 82 mph. The car cost £199.

There were a few serious failings of the J2, most seriously that it only had a two bearing crank shaft which will break if over-revved. The overhead camshaft drive is by a vertical shaft through bevel gears, a shaft which also forms the armature of the dynamo. Any oil leak from the cambox seal goes into the dynamo brushgear and likely a fire.

Another problem was that it was not fitted with hydraulic brakes, but had Bowden cables to each drum. These require no more pedal force than any other non-power-assisted drum brake, provided that they're well maintained and aren't sloppy or stretchy. The drums themselves are small and even in period it was a common modification to replaced them with larger drums from later models.

The non-syncromesh gearbox takes some getting used to, as for any car of this period, but with its short gear stick it becomes second nature to double de-clutch and rare to grind the gears.


J3

The J3 was a racing version with the engine capacity reduced to 746 cc by shortening the stroke from 83 to 73 mm and fitted with a Powerplus supercharger. The smaller engine capacity was to allow the car to compete in 750 cc class racing events. Larger brakes from the L-type were fitted.


J4

The J4 was a pure racing version with light weight body work and the J3 engine but using more boost from the supercharger to obtain 72 bhp.


MG J-type Midget

Manufacturer MG Car Company
Production : 1932-1934 (2494 made)
Predecessor : MG C-type Midget and MG D-type Midget
Successor : MG P-type Midget
Class : Sports Car
Body style(s) : 2-door roadster (Salonette)


MG J1

Production : 1932-1933 (380 made)
Engine(s) : 847 cc Straight-4


MG J2

Production : 1932-1934 (2083 made)
Engine(s) : 847 cc Straight-4


MG J3

Production : 1932-1933 (22 made)
Engine(s) : 746 cc Straight-4


MG J4

Production : 1932-1933 (9 made)
Engine(s) : 746 cc Straight-4



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Sunday, December 26, 2010

MG F-type Magna

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MG F-type Magna


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MG F-type Magna

The MG F-type Magna was a six cylinder engined car produced by the MG Car company from October 1931 to 1932. It was also known as the MG 12/70.

Looking for a car to fill the gap between the M-type Midget and the MG 18/80, MG turned to another of the engines that had become available from William Morris's acquisition of Wolseley. This was the 1271 cc 6 cylinder version of the overhead camshaft engine used in the 1929 MG M-type Midget and previously seen in the 1930 Wolseley Hornet and had dummy side covers to disguise its origins. Fitted with 1 in (25 mm) twin SU carburettors it produced 37.2 bhp (27.7 kW) at 4100 rpm at first, later increased to 47 bhp (35 kW) by revising the valve timing. Drive was to the rear wheels through a four speed non-synchromesh gearbox of ENV manufacture. The chassis was a 10-inch (250 mm) longer version of the one from the MG D-type with suspension by half elliptic springs and Hartford friction shock absorbers all round with rigid front and rear axles. Wire wheels with 4.00 x 19 tyres and centre lock fixing were used. The car had a wheelbase of 94 in (2,388 mm) and a track of 42 in (1,067 mm).

With its sloping radiator and long bonnet the F-type is an attractive car capable of reaching 70 mph (110 km/h). 188 of the cars were supplied in chassis form to outside coachbuilders such as Abbey, Jarvis, Stiles and Windover.


F

The original F was restricted by only having 8 inch (200 mm) brake drums which with its 4 seat bodies was not really adequate. Many F1 cars have subsequently been fitted with the larger F2 brakes.

The four seat tourer cost £250 and the Foursome coupĂ© cost £289.


F2

Introduced in late 1932 the F2 was the open 2 seater car in the range. It also got much needed enhanced braking by fitting larger 12 inch (300 mm) drums all round. The body with straight topped doors came from the J-type Midget.


F3

The F3, also introduced in 1932, used the same brakes as the F2 but had the 4 seater tourer and Foursome Coupé bodies fitted. The engine cooling was improved by changing the cooling water flow.


MG F-type Magna

Manufacturer MG Car Company
Production : 1931-1932 (1250 built)
Predecessor : none
Successor : MG L-type Magna
Class : Sports Car


MG F1

Production : 1931-1932 (1250 built)
Body style(s) : 4-seat open tourer (Foursome Coupé)
Engine(s) : 1271 cc In-line 6


MG F2

Production : 1932
Body style(s) : 2 seat open tourer
Engine(s) : 1271 cc In-line 6


MG F3

Production : 1932
Body style(s) : 4-seat open tourer (Foursome Coupé)
Engine(s) : 1271 cc In-line 6



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MG D-type Midget

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MG D-type Midget


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MG D-type Midget

The MG D-type Midget was produced by the MG Car company in 1931 and 1932. It used the engine from the MG M-type in the chassis from the MG C-type and was only available as a four seater. Of the 250 cars produced, 208 were open tourers, 37 were salonettes and five went to external coachbuilders.

The car used the M-type 847 cc engine that was derived from the overhead camshaft engine from the 1928 Morris Minor and Wolseley 10 with a single SU carburettor producing 27 bhp (20 kW) at 4500 rpm. Drive was to the rear wheels through a three speed non-synchromesh gearbox with a four speed gearbox was an option on later cars. The chassis came from the C-type and took the form of a ladder frame with tubular cross members and passed under the rear axle. The suspension used half elliptic springs and Hartford friction shock absorbers with rigid front and rear axles and centre lock wire wheels, the brakes were cable operated with eight inch (203 mm) drums. At 84 inches (2134 mm), 86 inches (2184 mm) after the first 100 cars, the wheelbase was longer than the C-Type to cater for the larger body, but the track remained the same at 42 inches (1067 mm).

In spite of its looks the car was not very fast, 60 mph (97 km/h) being just possible in the tourer, the body being really too much for the small engine. The cars are quite rare today, many having been converted into C-Type replicas. At the same time as the D-type was being made MG was also offering the 6 cylinder 1271 cc F-Type and externally the two are virtually identical. The extra power of the F-type made it a much better car and it proved a bigger seller.

MG D-type Midget

Manufacturer MG Car Company
Production : 1931-1932 (250 made)
Predecessor : MG M-type Midget
Successor : MG J-type Midget
Class : FR layout Sports Car
Body style(s) : four seat roadster
Engine(s) : 847 cc In-line 4



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MG C-type Midget

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MG C-type Midget


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MG C-type Midget

The MG C-type was produced by the MG Car company from 1931 to 1932. It was designed for competition use and based on the M-Type Midget. A special car, EX120 had been developed from the M-Type for George Eyston to make an attempt on the 750 cc class 24 hour record at Autodrome de Montlhéry in France. The attempt was successful and a series of replica cars were made which became the C-type.

The car used a tuned short stroke (73 mm) version of the bevel gear driven overhead camshaft engine from the 1928 Morris Minor and Wolseley 10 with a single SU carburettor and a new crankshaft producing 44 bhp (33 kW) at 6400 rpm. It could from 1932 be had with the crossflow head to be seen later on the MG J-type and a Powerplus supercharger version was also available with 52.4 bhp (39.1 kW) at 6500 rpm. Drive was to the rear wheels through a four speed non-synchromesh gearbox. The chassis was new and took the form of a ladder frame with tubular cross members and passed under the rear axle. The suspension used half elliptic springs and Hartford friction shock absorbers with rigid front and rear axles and centre lock wire wheels. The car had a wheelbase of 81 inches (2057 mm) and a track of 42 inches (1067 mm).

The body, which had no doors, was metal over an ash frame and had a pointed tail which held the spare wheel and cycle type front wings. Later cars had a more conventional rear with a slab type fuel tank. The exhaust pipe was routed outside the car and finished with a spectacular fishtail. The record breaking cars had a streamlined cowl over the radiator but this was not usually fitted to later cars as it could cause overheating unless high speeds were maintained.

The standard car initially cost £295 or £345 for the supercharged version rising to £490 and £575 by the end of production.

As well as the Montlhéry record, C-Types were used in many other competition events including a works team of fourteen cars entered in the 1931 Double Twelve event at Brooklands where they took the first five places.

MG C-type Midget

Manufacturer MG Car Company
Production : 1931-1932 (43 made)
Predecessor : none
Successor : MG Q-type
Class : FR layout Sports Car
Body style(s) : competition car
Engine(s) : 746 cc In-line 4



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Saturday, December 25, 2010

MG M-type Midget

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MG M-type Midget


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MG M-type Midget

The MG M-type was produced by the MG Car company from April 1929 to 1932. It was sometimes referred to as the 8/33. Launched at the 1928 London Motor Show when the sales of the larger MG saloons was faultering because of the economic climate, the small car brought MG ownership to a new sector of the market and probably saved the company. Early cars were made in the Cowley factory, but from 1930 production had transferred to Abingdon.

This 2 door sports car used an updated version of the four-cylinder bevel-gear driven overhead camshaft engine used in the 1928 Morris Minor and Wolseley 10 with a single SU carburettor giving 20 bhp (15 kW) at 4000 rpm. Drive was to the rear wheels through a three speed non-synchromesh gearbox. The chassis was based on the one used in the 1928 Morris Minor with lowered suspension using half elliptic springs and Hartford friction shock absorbers with rigid front and rear axles and bolt on wire wheels. The car had a wheelbase of 78 inches (1980 mm) and a track of 42 inches (1067 mm).

1930 brought a series of improvements to the car. The Morris rod brake system, with the handbrake working on the transmission, was replaced a cable system with cross shaft coupled to the handbrake and the transmission brake deleted. Engine output was increased to 27 bhp (20 kW) by improving the camshaft and a four speed gearbox was offered as an option. The doors became front hinged. A supercharged version could be ordered from 1932 raising the top speed to 80 mph (130 km/h).

Early bodies were fabric covered using a wood frame, this changed to all metal in 1931. Most cars had bodies made by Carbodies of Coventry and fitted by MG in either open two seat or closed two door "Sportsmans" coupĂ© versions but some chassis were supplied to external coachbuilders such as Jarvis. The factory even made a van version as a service vehicle. The car could reach 65 mph (105 km/h) and return 40 miles per gallon. The open version cost £175 at launch, soon rising to £185, and the coupĂ© cost £245. The 1932 supercharged car cost £250.

The M-type had considerable sporting success both privately and with official teams winning gold medals in the 1929 Land's End Trial and class wins in the 1930 "Double Twelve" race at Brooklands. An entry was also made in the 1930 Le Mans 24 hour but neither of the two cars finished.


MG M-type Midget

Manufacturer MG Car Company
Production : 1929–1932 (3235)
Predecessor : none
Successor : MG J-type
Class : Sports Car
Body style(s) : 2-door Roadster Coupe



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MG 14/40

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MG 14/40


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MG 14/40

The MG 14/40 or 14/40 Mark IV was a car made by the MG Car company and launched in 1927. It was based on the contemporary Morris Oxford and was a development of the MG 14/28 and was built at Edmund Road, Cowley, Oxford where MG had moved in September 1927. It was the first model to carry an MG Octagon badge on its radiator, the previous cars had retained a Morris Oxford badge.

The change of name from 14/28 to 14/40 seems mainly to have been a marketing exercise and the reason for the Mark IV is unclear although it has been suggested that it represented the fourth year of production. Externally the cars are very difficult to tell apart.

There were some changes to the 14/28 chassis and suspension and the brake servo was deleted.

MG 14/40

Manufacturer MG Car Company
Production : 1927–1929 (700 approx)
Predecessor : MG 14/28
Successor : MG 18/80
Class : Sports Car
Body style(s) : 2-door, 2 and 4 seater open tourer 2 door coupé (Salonette) 4-door saloon
Engine(s) : 1802 cc four cylinder, side valve.
Transmission(s) : three speed manual
Wheelbase : 106 inches (2705 mm)
Length : 150 inches (3810 mm)



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