1950 MG Y-Type Tourer

A total of just 877 MG Y-Type Tourers were manufactured from 1948 until 1950, however, amazingly all but three were exported. As a consequence the Y Tourer remains a rare car in the UK and correspondence with this car from 2002 suggests that just 20 were registered in the UK at that time, mostly repatriated from the colonies; Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. This car is exceptionally rare in that it shares with only four others its guarantee plate ending "EXR/K' denoting "EX' for Export, "R' for righthand drive and "K' for kilometre reading on the speedometer. Originally exported to Switzerland and sold by J.H Keller, the main Swiss MG distributors in Zurich, the car had a number of Swiss owners before being repatriated by its late owner, David Pelham in October 1998.

The subject of a sympathetic restoration in the late 1990's/early 2000's, David was careful to ensure originality where possible making considerable effort to locate original items and overseeing the whole project with a keen eye for detail. David was a respected MG authority with a particular knowledge for the Y-Type. As such, the restoration he oversaw has resulted in one of the best examples known. It is not concours, nor does it pretend to be having been preserved for usage and not as a museum piece, however, it is in very good order throughout both mechanically and cosmetically and is sold with an abundance of bills, past MoTs, tax discs and various letters. One such letter is from Robert Gammage, the then Chief Executive of the MG Car Club, Abingdon, detailing the works undertaken by David and providing a conservative insurance valuation of more than £20,000 in February 2002.

The car has been subject to a bare metal respray by R&P Autos in January 2001 and a photographic record of work undertaken was maintained throughout. Electrics have been renewed with a new wiring loom fitted and all instrumentation reconditioned. All chromework with the exception of the grille was also replated in the restoration. The interior was reupholstered in leather, as per original specification by Bryan Purves Coach Trimmers in October 2000. A new hood in German mohair, together with side screens was also fitted. The cylinder head has been converted to use lead free petrol and a modified oil filter was fitted.

Now reluctantly offered for sale by the family of the late David Pelham for the first time since 1998, the car has V5C documentation and is MoT exempt. Silverstone Auctions would like to thank David's lifelong friend and former MG Car Club Chief Executive, Robert Gammage for his assistance in the accuracy of this description.