MG TA: A True Classic British Sports Car

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The MG TA as purchased on arrival at home in 1968History throws up moments when an unpopular decision turns out to be the correct one, often by accident.  The decision to allow MG to become part of the Nanjing Automobile Group in 2005 does not fall into that category and sticks in the claw of most enthusiasts. MG (Morris Garages) founded in 1924 by Cecil Kimber has seen 10 owners during its lifetime but it was in 1935 when sold by the Nuffield Group to Morris Motors that the marque lost its independence. MG would have to relinquish the use of the Wolseley based overhead cam engines that had powered the previous PB range in favour of the Morris 10 derived OHV unit and new boss Leonard Lord banned all factory backed motorsport; the design team department was transferred to Cowley. As with most things it was all about profit and the news made the purest flinch but they would however be won over by the all new MG T. The new model was priced to compete at £222.00, it was great value and in many ways it turned out the new car was better, easier to drive and slightly larger. The MG T only received its ‘A’ when the very limited production of the MG TB (379) arrived in 1939, just in time for war. The MG TA Midget ran from 1936 to 1939 when over 3000 were built; robust, reliable and a real sports car with great presence, still a pleasure to be around today. Dennis Anley, Mick Hullet and Mike Pearce restorers of some noteThink of the ‘TA’ and immediately the vision of an RAF pilot on route to some airbase along the south coast comes to mind. Christopher Plummer played Squadron Leader Colin Harvey in the ‘Battle of Britain’ film made in 1969 and the keen eyed MG enthusiasts will point out he was driving a MGPA, one of around 2500 built from 1934-1936. Douglas Bader also drove one of the early MG’s as did Kenneth Moore in the film ‘Reach for the Sky’ recounting the ace pilots life in RAF. Considered one of the last ‘real sports cars’ the ‘T’ series ran through to 1955 and ended with the TF model; all versions were used in many variants of motorsport worldwide and were especially enjoyed in the USA where the MG’s saw action on the ovals and circuits. The all new Mount Panorama Circuit in Australia played host to the 1938 GP where native Alan Crago raced his TA into 3rd , the following year, at the same GP but this time held at the Lobethal Circuit saw a supercharge ‘TA’ take the win driven by Allan Tomlinson. After the intervention of war the MG TC was launched and most of the changes the factory made were forced on them due to lack of materials but to the average man in the street the car had changed very little. The enduring popularity of the MG continued and caught the factory by surprise; what was essentially a pre-war car had great post-war success. Mick and his son Mark enjoy the MG in 1974, young Mark is now 40‘I had always had an eye for one’, Sussex man and classic car enthusiast Mick Hullett told me and during the mid-sixties he had inspected and considered a few early MG’s. Whilst away on a course his brother in law Dennis Anley (a renowned restorer) found EBP 244, an MG TA in need of TLC but with enough tax and MOT to get home under its own power; it was 1968 and the MG had just turned 30. The early type log book shows this MG could have originally been blue although at this time it was hand painted Valspar enamel black and this would certainly have to go. The MG TA used the body on frame construction method with a wooden Ash frame covered with sheet steel for the body mounted into a steel chassis. Not many weeks after getting the MG home Mick assembled all those willing to listen and set about lifting the body from the chassis; he remembers collecting packaging from ready meals supplied at work, ideal for storing all the smaller parts removed in the strip-down. The chassis was pushed to one side and the Ash frame work went off to a pattern maker to recreate in new timber. Mick didn’t put a time scale on the MG restoration and life; work and house renovation ensured it would not be touched for some years. The body was reassembled in the early 1970s and the car would be something Mick would look forward to finishing once retirement allowed him time. It would be a new Millennium before the real work resumed; the stripped chassis prepared and painted and the rebuilt engine fitted. Mick had help from knowledgeable restorer Mike Pearce, who was working with brother in law Dennis; so with a wealth of experience the ‘TA’ was reassembled over the next two years. Now nearly a decade on the car looks almost perfect, it doesn’t carry the ‘just restored’ look and never has. The paint is not glossy in keeping with a 30’s look, the interior is unmarked but shows signs of use, it just looks right. MG TA CockpitMick told me the MG has been reliable and enjoyable over the last 7 years of road use, averaging 500-1000 miles a year; the only glitch has been a blocked oil way and subsequent abnormal noises forcing another engine rebuild in 2008. Stepping in through the tiny suicide doors you drop down into your seat, the passenger has the handbrake for company and although the leg room is generous in length (even for a six footer) the width is narrow but not squashed. The dash is beautiful and the four spoke steering wheel dominates inside, your view out front is splendid, huge fenders glide away either side of the long bonnet, large chrome headlights and the smaller fender mounted sidelights add the final touches. I was surprised how much was available on the dash with more switches and buttons than I have seen before on a Pre-War car, the driver can even adjust the tick-over from his seat. The lack of 1st and 2nd gear synchromesh resulted in a slight protest as we made our way onto the open road, roof down and sun shining, the only way to really enjoy a car like this. The suspension is quite firm, half elliptic springs and the ‘Lever Arm Dampers’ absorb all but the worst pot holes and body roll was surprisingly minimal; I was expecting the movement to be more extreme in-fact it moved most when I got in and out. The Restored MG TAoriginal 1292cc MPJG engine picks up the pace quite well, once into 2nd gear the 50hp enables the MG to drive at current traffic speeds and not hold anyone up. The Lockheed hydraulic drum brakes stop the 742 kilo weight (same as a current Smart Car) with ease, if in a rather noisy fashion; Mick confessed a brake clean was in order. I really enjoyed the driving experience and can totally appreciate the attraction of the MG T series cars. My time in the ‘TA’ was a great experience; that said, I still feel the real pleasure spending time around this MG is in the viewing, pure ‘eye candy’, the right size, perfect lines and so much detail that the more you look the more the ‘TA’ offers.

MG TA Specification

  • Engine: MPJG 4 Cylinder /1292cc/ 50HP/OHV
  • Carbs: twin semi downdraught SUs.
  • Gearbox: manual 4 speed part synchro
  • Rear Axle: Spiral bevel gears.
  • Suspension: half elliptic springs/ hydraulic lever arm dampers
  • Wheels: Centre lock wire spoke.
  • Tyres: 4.50-19" on 2.5" rims.
  • Brakes: Lockheed hydraulic 9" drum front and rear.
  • Length: 11ft 7in Weight: 15cwt ¾ or 762 kilo’s
  • Max speed: 79mph. 0-50mph: 15.4 sec
  • MPG: approx. 30
MGTA Launch Price: £222.00. Average House Price: £550.00. Pint of Beer: 5p  Tags: