Lot 673: 1934 MG PA Supercharged Tourer

‘This latest model is a marked improvement in all respects over its forebears,’ reported The Autocar magazine after road-testing the new P-Type Midget in November 1934. A replacement for the successful J2 Midget, the PA followed the general lines of its predecessor, but was equipped with a more-robust version of MG’s 847cc, four-cylinder, overhead-camshaft engine benefiting from a stronger, three-bearing crankshaft and better lubrication. Chassis alterations included a longer wheelbase, strengthened transmission and 12 inch-diameter (up from 8 inch) brakes. Top speed was in the region of 75mph. Built in two- and four-seater variants, the PA in the latter form was the last Midget to offer sports car motoring for the family.
Good as the standard product was, there were many enthusiastic owners who felt the need for increased performance, particularly those of a competitive spirit wishing to participate in motor sports. One such was H G Symmons, whose ‘blown’ PA was featured in The Sports Car in June 1935. Sub-titling its article: ‘An idealist’s dream car which has been equipped regardless of cost’, the magazine observed: ‘Although one often hears of enthusiastic MG owners it is improbable that there is anyone who has taken more trouble over the improvement of his car than Mr H G Symmons. It has been described as quite the best ‘P’ type that there is on the road.’
The heart of Symmons’ conversion was a supercharger, supplied by Marshall, Drew & Co, which was driven off the nose of the crankshaft. Symmons’ modifications, however, went much further than simply bolting on the ‘blower’, with hardly any area of the carefully blue-printed and reassembled engine escaping appropriate up-rating. On the transmission side, an ENV Wilson pre-selector gearbox replaced the original ‘crash’ type, a modification its owner claimed had transformed the car. The Sports Car’s correspondent was mightily impressed by the result of Symmons’ carefully considered improvements, remarking on the ‘quite extraordinary even running of the engine and total lack of vibration. The acceleration in any gear from 5 to 30mph had to be felt to be believed. Normally these small cars rely on their revs for power, but in this case, even at under 3,000rpm, there was as much power as one could possibly require.’
Symmons’ blown Midget went on to win numerous trials in the mid-1930s and lapped Brooklands in excess of 97mph as well as covering 77 miles in a timed hour. The car was then sold to Miss Yvonne Morel who raced it at Crystal Palace, Donington Park and Brooklands among other venues. Miss Morel was an aeronautical engineer by profession and it was she who installed the extremely extensive instrumentation. The history of the car is not known through the war years but it was sold by a Mr Berry in 1946 to John Moffatt who continued to trial, sprint and race the car. Mr Moffatt sold the car in 1948 to Dick Pulman who in turn sold it to a Miss Hale (coincidentally a marine engineer). This transaction took place in 1951 at Sherbourne in Dorset. Miss Hale retained the car from that date, laying it up in 1976. She eventually moved into an old people’s home and the car was housed in a garage attached to the home for approximately ten years.
The current owner acquired the car directly from Miss Hale in August 1991, commissioning its complete restoration to original specification (apart from being tuned to run on alcohol/benzine mix). The bulk of the work was entrusted to recognised MG specialists Cheldon Motor Services, of Sharpthorne, West Sussex, while the engine was rebuilt by Roger Thomas and the gearbox by Bill Morris. Restoration invoices totalling circa £33,000 accompany the car.
At all stages of its life until 1951 the Symmons PA has featured in press/magazine articles and in numerous photographs and race catalogues, copies of which are contained within the extensive history file. Finished in green with matching interior, this historic competition MG is offered with Swansea V5 and spare manual (non pre-selector) gearbox.