- Auctions
- The Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show Sale 2024
- 1937 MG SA Charlesworth Open Tourer. British Motor Show Car
1937 MG SA Charlesworth Open Tourer. British Motor Show Car
Lot Number: 176
1937 MG SA Charlesworth Open Tourer. British Motor Show Car
Just three owners from new, the first being 'Tarzan' stunt man, Gerald Gordon. A rare survivor with a fascinating history.
There is a Sale Room Notice on this lot, please read this before placing a bid
- Sold for: £31,500
LIVE AUCTION: This lot was auctioned on Sunday 24th March, 2024 at 12.00pm GMT at NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT
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BODY COLOUR
Cambridge Blue/ Oxford Blue -
DRIVE
RHD -
REG NUMBER
MG 5026 -
ODOMETER READING
22347 Miles
SALE ROOM NOTICE
Please note this car was first registered in October 1936 although it is a 1937 model.
SUMMARY
Just three owners from new, the first being 'Tarzan' stunt man, Gerald Gordon. A rare survivor with a fascinating history.
DESCRIPTION
- The SA was launched in 1936, initially in a closed-head, saloon body variant only produced in-house by Morris. By the end of 1936, however, the range was extended by the addition of a Tickford DHC by Salmons and by the Charlesworth Four-Door Tourer offered here
- The SA used an enlarged and tuned version of the six-cylinder 2,062cc Morris QPHG from the Wolseley Super Six, now 2,288cc
- Only seven of this model were built and this one, #SA/0903, featured on the stand at the 1936 British International Motor Exhibition at Olympia, confirmed by a plaque on the dashboard
- It was purchased from the stand by an adventurous individual called Gerald Gordon, who is understood to have been Tarzan's (Johnny Weismuller) stunt man
- He immediately booked the car on the Queen Mary to the USA, driving it 19,000 miles around the States. His account of his eventful North American odyssey, complete with press cuttings and photographs, is in the history file
- He returned to the UK in 1939 and lived in Scotland where he and the MG became local celebrities, before going bust, with the car sold at auction to a museum in Cumbria from where it was purchased by our vendor c.22 years ago
- The MG was fully restored with a new leather interior by the previous owner and benefits from a new navy blue hood and side screens during current ownership
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Since then it has regularly been used enjoying car rallies and a few years ago won the SVW Trophy at Goodwood for the car the judges would most like to own
- This is a rare opportunity to own a fabulous survivor with a fascinating history
SPECIFICATION
- Lot Number
- 176
- Make
- MG
- Model
- SA
- Variant
- Four-door Tourer
- Registration Number
- MG 5026
- MOT Expiry
- Exempt
- Chassis Number
- SA/0903
- Engine Number
- QPHG 1168
- Transmission
- Manual
- Body Colour
- Cambridge Blue/ Oxford Blue
GALLERY
CONSIGNOR
Richard Greenhalgh
- Car Specialist
- 07948 152921
- richard@iconicauctioneers.com
For further information regarding this lot please contact Richard.
CONTACTSEE IT IN ACTION
SEE IT IN ACTION
SCORE:
81 / 135
Exterior
Bodywork:
Glass:
Paint:
Chrome:
Trim:
Remarks
There were only 7 of this model built and this one was on the stand in the Olympia motorshow (plaque on the dashboard). This car was fully restored with new leather interior by the previous owner. New hood and side screens during current ownership.
Interior
Door-Cards:
Carpets:
Seating:
Headlining:
Dashboard:
Boot:
Remarks
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Engine
Components:
Appearance:
Starting:
Running:
Transmission
Gears:
Clutch:
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Running Gear
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Electrics
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Vehicle History
Remarks
There were only 7 of this model built and this one was on the stand in Olympia and has a plaque on the dash board. The car was bought from the stand by Tarzan’s stuntman, Gerald Gordon. He took the car on the Queen Mary to the USA driving it 19,000 miles around the states we have all paper clips and documentation. There was a write up by The SVW MG magazine which tells the whole story - see attached. Mr Gordon managed to return to UK just before war broke out. Living in Scotland after sometime he went bust and his car was auctioned. It was bought by 2 friends who completely renovated it. It was then taken to a museum in Cumbria, we saw it in about 1977 . My daughters’ future husband was a friend of the owner and we got to know him. At first, they didn’t want to sell but after a while they decided to sell and buy a castle in Scotland. Hence, we have had the car for over 20 years enjoying car rallies and a few years ago winning the SVW trophy for the car most would like to own. We received this at Goodwood.
Restoration Notes
This car was fully restored with new leather interior by the previous owner. New hood and side screens during current ownership.
About the Seller Rating
A lot's rating is compiled based on information provided by the seller of the lot. We strongly recommend viewing a lot prior to bidding as we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided by the seller. We will not entertain any disputes over seller rating details.
Poor Numerous faults / Extensive damage / Many missing parts / Project or donor car
Fair Basic condition / Requires attention mechanically & cosmetically / Some damage / Some missing parts
Good Everyday useable classic car / Driven & enjoyed / Commensurate with age & mileage / Drives and looks as it should / Some vehicle history
Very good Almost pristine / Mechanically & cosmetically sound / Driven only occasionally / Extensive vehicle history
Excellent Pristine / Original / Documented nut & bolt ground-up restoration / Stored professionally / Trailered only / Complete vehicle history
Due to venue restrictions, all vehicles must be collected on Monday 25th March between 9am and 2pm.
Any vehicles not collected by this time will be transported to a secure storage facility in Northampton by our transport partner EM Rogers, the charges for which are £175 plus VAT for removal and £10 plus VAT per day for storage. We will make contact on Sunday to confirm how you will be removing your vehicle(s). If we do not hear back by 9am on Monday morning, we will arrange collection with EM Rogers on your behalf.
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