1932 MG C-Type Midget Monthery RoadsterSOLD

RM Auctions - The Ponder Collection - Texas - April 20-21st, 2007

See all the Images for this Car
ESTIMATE: $70,000 - $100,000

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

$60,500 Sold

52hp, 746cc, supercharged single overhead camshaft inline
four-cylinder engine, four-speed manual transmission, Bowden cable operated mechanical operated from single cross shaft brakes. Wheelbase: 81"

Early in 1931, at the luncheon celebrating the 100mph record breaking run of an MG EX.120, Kimber announced a new 750cc racing Montlhéry Midget to be available in both supercharged and un-supercharged form.

Kimber ordered fourteen examples to be ready for the 1931 Montlhéry Double Twelve (which was only months away), despite the fact that the new engine, clutch, body and most components had not yet been designed and there would be no time for proper testing.
The fourteen racing MG Double Twelve Midgets were built in fourteen days. They featured an aluminum, doorless, boat-tail body with a long hood. A cowl was fitted at the front to make the traditional square-cut radiator more aerodynamic and to protect the fuel pump, while two wind-deflecting humps on the scuttle were reminiscent of those on the record-breaking MG EX120.

Nearly the entire MG workforce had been involved in the building of the C-Types and most of them traveled by bus to watch the event. When the race was over MG C-Type Midgets had taken the first five places and won the team prize. The average speed was 65.62mph, faster than the highest-placed 1100cc Brooklands Riley. Of the 44 starters, only 24 finished the race, seven of which were MGs. It was an amazing feat, especially for a brand-new and untested model in a 24-hour race that was considered more grueling than Le Mans.
A few weeks later, after more victories, including the tough Irish Grand Prix, the supercharged versions of the C-Type took first and third in the famous Ulster T.T., while another C-Type established a track record at the Newtownards circuit. C-Types would also go on to capture the Team Prize at the Brooklands 500.

MG offered the C-Type, with its underslung chassis, sliding trunnion suspension and center-lock wheels, as a production model, but despite its racing successes, it was too expensive for most and only three more were constructed following the 1931 Ulster T.T. culminating in a total of only 44 examples. (35 are known to exist today)

Built in the spirit of an original C-Type Montlhéry Midget, this stylish recreation was built on a very similar and original J2 chassis. It is believed that this chassis came from J 2988 which was rebuilt to J4 specification in the fifties. Displaying a high-quality older restoration, showing very little wear, the C-Type recreation’s bright red paintwork shines and accentuates the strong traditional sporty MG lines, square rigged grille, folding windscreen, leather hood strap, cut-down door, humped scuttle and wire wheels. These would be styling cues on all MG models until the demise of the MG TF in 1955.

The interior is finished in black leather with contrasting red piping accenting the seats. The beautifully finished dash features the C-Type combination of Jaeger and Smith gauges. As space is tight in the cockpit, a small rear trunk lid in the boat-tail opens to provide storage space.

The MG Montlhéry Special is distinctive, with its supercharger set between the dumb irons at the front, its boat-tail rear deck, and its fishtail side exhaust. The potent 746cc engine still gleams under the hood and is carefully detailed. Silver painted wire wheels, a fold-down windscreen with Brooklands screen, a grille guard and Hartford shocks all add to this MG’s sporting character. Notably, the MG’s honeycomb radiator was custom made in the UK, the radiator was treated to show quality chrome while the grille guard was fabricated from scratch at a cost of over $4,000.

Having achieved only a slight patina from driving enjoyment, this example is still a high quality recreation of one of the most historically significant MGs and would be an excellent addition to any serious MG aficionado’s garage.
Addendum

Please note that this vehicle is titled by the engine number.

Reference Number 7575

as of 2/27/2007

Overview
Car 1932 MG C-Type Midget Monthery Roadster
VIN 1769 
More Images
See all the Images for this Car