The 1928-1932 M-Type was the first of the beloved Midget line, and is considered by most to be the first true MG sports car. This cheap and cheerful roadster was built to a tiny scale, and its chassis carried an ash-framed body that was paneled in fabric-covered plywood, with a steel hood and fenders and luggage space in the boat-tail trunk.
Passenger accommodations were snug, and best suited chummy occupants who were short in stature.
The M-Type was powered by a 27hp, 847cc four with an advanced single overhead camshaft, which was mated to a three-speed gearbox.
Just 3,235 M-Type Midgets were built in two body styles- open two seater (which included the Double Twelve Replicas) and closed Sportsman’s Coupe. Fun trivia: The very first MG to come to America was an M-Type, and it was personally imported by none other than Edsel Ford!
We are familiar with this little charmer, having watched it cross the block at RM Auctions’ 2005 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction (see Auction Profiles, Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car magazine #3, November 2005). It is once again offered for sale; an excerpt of the seller’s description is below:
The M Type offered here spent some time in the collection of noted collector Patrick Hart. It also was formerly owned by a noted collector from Redmond Washington and then joined the collection of a California-based enthusiast. The restoration has held up well, both mechanically and cosmetically. With its flowing black fenders and subtly contrasting blue fabric body, this lovely restored MG remains show worthy. The previous owner advises us that the car has its original wood body and original engine. In fact, he believes it to be the only remaining M-Type of its kind with the original engine. Perhaps unusually for these cars and indeed many MG models, By nature of its designation the current owner has established that the car can be historic raced, for which it would surely be welcomed. A rare and very drivable classic of which few examples remain, it represents the genesis of the MG marque, with sporting boat-tail bodywork.
See more MGs -both pre-war and post-war- for sale at Hemmings.com.