Lot 343A: 1937 MG Midget TA Roadster

Launched in 1936 as successor to the PB Midget, the TA Midget was an altogether larger and roomier car. The simple chassis design followed established Midget practice with semi-elliptic springing all-round, though the use of hydraulic dampers at the front and the adoption of Lockheed hydraulic brakes were new departures. Although styled in a manner MG enthusiasts had come to expect, the new two-seater broke with tradition by employing an overhead-valve engine instead of the previous overhead-cam type. Derived from that of the Morris Ten, the 1,292cc engine produced around 50bhp, good enough to propel the lightweight TA to within a whisker of 80mph.
This example has been fitted with the superior ‘XPAG’ engine that debuted in the succeeding TB Midget in 1939 and would feature in MGs for the next 15 years. An all-new, more modern design than the TA’s ‘MPJG’ engine, the 1,250cc XPAG had a shorter stroke, revved higher, produced more power (55bhp), was more reliable and capable of withstanding a much higher state of tune. Restored ten years ago (interior excepted) this car was purchased as a non-runner by the vendor two years ago and has been kept in storage, unused, since then (we are advised that the engine runs but the clutch has seized). The car comes complete with hood, hood frame, side screens and interior kit. Sold strictly as viewed, it is offered with old style logbook and Swansea V5 registration document.