MG Midget M-Type

With a light and sporty boat-tail body, the M-Type Midget became an instant ‘hit’. Between 1929 and 1932 a total of 3,235 examples were produced. The model had considerable sporting success with teams winning gold medals in the 1929 Land's End Trial, and class wins in the 1930 ‘Double Twelve’ race at Brooklands. One was entered in the 1930 Monte Carlo Rally and two others at Le Mans the same year. It was the first proper production MG sportscar, and really put the marque on the world motoring map. 

The model was technically based upon the contemporary Morris Minor. The chassis was slightly altered and the suspension was lowered. The four-cylinder 847cc engine featured an overhead camshaft. It had great roadholding, and additionally was a real looker! Most cars had bodies made by Carbodies of Coventry and fitted by MG. The car could reach 65mph and return 40 miles per gallon. The open version cost £175 at launch in 1928.

This 1929 example is well known to the Triple MMM Register. The car is number 158 in the build sequence and so is an early model with rear hinged doors. It was rebuilt to a high standard in 1998 and is to original specification. The engine, an original MG unit with steel crank and rods, was then rebuilt in 2006 by renowned MG guru Mike Allison. The gearbox is the original 3-speed type.

The car has covered few miles annually since the rebuild was completed. In the file are factory parts lists and an instruction manual on CD, along with an original printed manual. The original hoods were pretty useless and many have been discarded over the years, as is the case with this car, however a smart tonneau cover is included as is a custom-made car cover.

These are important little cars with a great sporting pedigree. The MG marque has a worldwide following and we can’t help feeling that these cars have yet to realise their considerable investment potential.