MG M-type
Encyclopedia
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 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 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 mi/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" coupé 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 coupé 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 (car)
The MG Car Company is a former British sports car manufacturer founded in the 1920s by Cecil Kimber. Best known for its two-seat open sports cars, MG also produced saloons and coupés....
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
Cowley, Oxford
Cowley in Oxford, England, is a residential and industrial area that forms a small conurbation within greater Oxford. Cowley's neighbours are central Oxford to the northwest, Rose Hill and Blackbird Leys to the south, New Headington to the north and the villages of Horspath and Garsington across...
factory, but from 1930 production had transferred to Abingdon
Abingdon, Oxfordshire
Abingdon or archaically Abingdon-on-Thames is a market town and civil parish in Oxfordshire, England. It is the seat of the Vale of White Horse district. Previously the county town of Berkshire, Abingdon is one of several places that claim to be Britain's oldest continuously occupied town, with...
.
This 2 door sports car used an updated version of the four-cylinder bevel-gear driven overhead camshaft
Overhead camshaft
Overhead cam valvetrain configurations place the engine camshaft within the cylinder heads, above the combustion chambers, and drive the valves or lifters in a more direct manner compared to overhead valves and pushrods...
engine used in the 1928 Morris Minor
Morris Minor (1928)
This article refers to the motor car manufactured by the Morris Motor Company and its successors from 1928–1933. For the Morris Minor manufactured by the Morris Motor Company from 1948–1971, see Morris Minor....
and Wolseley
Wolseley Motor Company
The Wolseley Motor Company was a British automobile manufacturer founded in 1901. After 1935 it was incorporated into larger companies but the Wolseley name remained as an upmarket marque until 1975.-History:...
10 with a single SU carburettor giving 20 bhp 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 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 mi/h.
Early bodies were fabric covered using a wood frame, this changed to all metal in 1931. Most cars had bodies made by Carbodies
Carbodies
Carbodies LImited is a British company based at Holyhead Road, Coventry. It started business as a coachbuilder, and now, as The London Taxi Company is best known for its production of London taxicabs.-History:...
of Coventry
Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
and fitted by MG in either open two seat or closed two door "Sportsmans" coupé versions but some chassis were supplied to external coachbuilders such as Jarvis
Jarvis
Jarvis is a surname and, less frequently, a male given name.* Ann Jarvis , social activist, founder of Mother's day holiday.* Anna Jarvis , daughter of Ann Jarvis.* Jarvis Cocker Jarvis is a surname and, less frequently, a male given name.* Ann Jarvis (1832 - 1905), social activist, founder of...
. 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 coupé 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
Brooklands
Brooklands was a motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England. It opened in 1907, and was the world's first purpose-built motorsport venue, as well as one of Britain's first airfields...
. An entry was also made in the 1930 Le Mans 24 hour but neither of the two cars finished.