1930 MG M-Type Midget

The MG M-Type was manufactured from April 1929 to 1932 and was sometimes referred to as the 8/33. Launched at the 1928 London Motor Show when sales of larger MG saloons began to falter due to the economic climate, the small car brought MG ownership to a new sector of the market and probably saved the company. Early cars were assembled in MG's Cowley factory but production transferred to Abingdon when the MG factory moved there in the Autumn of 1929. The M-Type was one of the first genuinely affordable sports cars to be offered by an established manufacturer, as opposed to modified versions of factory-built saloon cars and tourers. This two-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 generating a sporty 20bhp. Drive was to the rear wheels through a three-speed non-synchromesh gearbox. Early bodies were fabric-covered around a wooden frame but this changed to all-metal in 1931 when the majority of cars were clothed by Carbodies of Coventry and offered by MG in either open two-seat or closed two-door Sportsmans coupé versions. The M-Type enjoyed 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. Total sales amounted to 3,253 cars by the time production ceased in 1933.

Restored some years ago, this fabric-bodied M-Type Chassis no. 2M0747 is in superb condition, finished in red with a recently reupholstered black interior. We understand that it was the second M-Type off the production line and remains the oldest known survivor. Factory records also indicate that the engine was upgraded at the factory in 1930 at which time the desirable and optional four-speed gearbox was also fitted. With little use in recent years the little Midget has recently been recommissioned, including the fitment of a new 6-volt battery, fresh Avon tyres and the older, incorrect headlights have been replaced with new, more period items fully in character with the 1930s styling. This is an excellent example of the M-Type Midget, undoubtedly the first of a long line of MGs that were to make the sports car so popular throughout the world and it is almost impossible to overestimate the importance of the little car in this respect.