1931 MG F Type Magna

For sale by auction on Saturday 29 August 2015 with Historics at Brooklands. Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit. Weybridge. Surrey. Call 01753 639170
The F Type Magna was the first in a famous line of small six
cylinder MGs. Created to fill the gap between the M Type
Midget and 18/80 the Magna was launched in October 1931 and
utilised the smooth 1271cc overhead camshaft engine from the
Wolseley Hornet (with a plate cleverly attached to the cylinder
block to disguise its origin) which was available thanks to William
Morris's acquisition of Wolseley Motors. The six cylinder engine
featured four main bearings for the crankshaft and four bearings
also supported the camshaft. It was fitted to an extended version
of the C Type Midget chassis. with similar underslung rear section
and trunnion supports for the springs. The back axle was of the
same type as fitted to the M and D Type Midgets albeit with a
higher final drive ratio to take advantage of the larger and more
flexible engine and the gearbox was the excellent ENV four speed
unit. as fitted to the C Type but with wider ratios. With twin one
inch SU carburettors. power output was initially 37bhp at 4100rpm
which was later increased to 47bhp thanks to revised valve
timing.

The Magna was initially offered with two body styles. made for
MG by Carbodies of Coventry - a four seater tourer and a closed
foursome coupé known as the 'Salonette'. although a significant
number were supplied in chassis form to outside coachbuilders
including Abbey. Carlton. Jarvis and Stiles. With its rakish good
looks and 70mph capability. the F Type Magna had great appeal and
sold in larger numbers than any other six cylinder MG of the 1930s.
In August 1932 a two seater version. known as the F2. was launched
which featured larger. twelve inch. brakes. These were also fitted
to the four seater cars from September 1932 and given the
appellation of F3. A total of 1250 F Types were produced.

The featured car is one of approximately thirty that were bodied
by Jarvis of Wimbledon as a two/four seater and is one of only
three known survivors. As hand built cars they are all slightly
different. most notably concerning the shape and size of the rear
mounted fuel tank. The MG was purchased. in need of
restoration. by the vendors in 1975 from well known Kensington
Vintage car dealer. Dan Margulies. The car was then stored for some
years and in 2005 a full restoration was embarked upon. There is a
comprehensive file detailing all the work carried out to the car
including a full engine rebuild by marque specialist. The Montlhery
Garage. which included the fitment of a full flow oil filter with a
dedicated feed to the rear main bearing and side water pipes to the
cylinder head. which was an important modification on the later
cars. Other work includes the fitment of a new larger capacity fuel
tank to give a longer range. new wings made to the exact design of
the missing originals. overhauled and recored radiator. rebuilt
carburettors and dynamo. respoked wheels and a new hood and
sidescreens. More recently a fast road camshaft has been fitted to
optimise performance.

Resplendent in red paintwork with black wheels and interior. the
MG is the archetypal early 1930s sports car. The engine starts
readily and emits a lovely six cylinder growl which. coupled with
the ENV gearbox. should make it very enjoyable to drive. All the
dashboard instruments are working correctly with the exception of
the clock. The car comes with a current V5C registration
certificate and. most interestingly. the original and very unusual
white steering wheel is supplied as a spare; the owner preferring
to use a more conventional black wheel. Prospective buyers should
be aware that at some point in the car's life the engine has been
changed for another of the exact type. which is recorded in the MG
Car Club's MMM Register. This attractive F Type Magna is a rare
example of an early coachbuilt six cylinder MG and offers a new
owner the opportunity to take part in the wide variety of
prestigious events catering for the sporting pre-war car.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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