11.03.12
Filed Under: News
The MG PA & PB Midget.
So much has been written about the MG Marque over the year’s, it is an interesting subject, in that the MG Midget’s in fact MG’s are loved the world over.
Despite all things that have happened to MG one can still get almost any spare part, even for the very old models, so many specialist firms ensure a supply of parts for years to come, it is in fact an industry on it’s own.
MG owner’s club’s have sprung up all over the world, apart from the UK, North America has such a network it is hard to believe, then Australia and New Zealand and even South Africa, such was the success of MG.
MG PA
However the spiritual home of MG will always and for ever be Abingdon, just a few miles south of Oxford City, it is with some disgust I tell you the factory was flattened, well all, except the original gates. It was to all intent and purpose a gross act of vandalism, though one of the MG Clubs has an office on the site, some consolation I suppose.
Cecil Kimber will no doubt be remembered by many for his part in the MG history, the man who started it all. He was a senior salesman with Wm Morris, of Morris Motor Company in Cowley which is a mere stones throw from Abingdon.
Cecil used Morris chassis’s for his MG’s, and a lot of part’s from the Morris car itself, it seems Wm Morris was somewhat benevolent to Cecil, and there is a belief that the MG project might well have stalled without the help of Mr Morris, but there is a lot of conjecture and really the happening’s of the early day’s should be taken with a pinch of salt.
The 1930’s was perhaps an exciting time to live, though many a budding car maker folded through lack of sales, financial constraint’s were then similar to what it is to-day.
But MG soldiered on, and prospered, Cecil’s small cars were successful on the road and on the track and off road, let it be said the MG was not the only make enjoying such success, but we will cover that in another tale.
!934 and the PA Midget was launched, it looked similar to the “J” type it had replaced, the racing element had provided Cecil and his designer’s with knowledge on how to make the PA more viable.
A new 847cc engine, fitted to a slightly lengthened chassis which in itself had been beefed up, with the extra power, the brakes were improved from 8inch to 12 inch. A three bearing rigid crankshaft was fitted with improved lubrication, it was thought necessary as the car’s would be used in competition a heavy duty clutch was a must.
The PA was fitted with twin semi downdraught SU constant vacuum carburettor’s producing 35BHP at 5,600 revs.
As was the norm at the time the gearbox was not syncromesh, the suspension would have been firm but that would not detract from the car’s appeal, Bishop Cam steering was fitted, but as the PA was relatively light it would not pose a problem.
I love this bit, the frame was Ash, we know another lover of Ash frames, but in the main most of the cars were two seater’s, open of course and you could get a four seater but the room in the back was minimal.
MG PB
The wheels were large 19inch, wire wheels, and flaired wings with large chrome headlamps.
The two seat PA sold for £220, in view of the average wages of the day it would not be cheap, though it sound’s it.
Despite success after success on the track, sales were slipping, so the engine size was increased, in a very simple move technically, Cecil used a 60mm bore as opposed to the original 57mm this boosted the power up to 939cc, a close ratio gearbox was fitted and at no extra cost.
Unfortunately it was proving difficult to move the remaining PA’s, the uprated engine had been designated the PB, top speed went up to 80mph.
It was during this period that the Wm Morris became Lord Nuffield, who had acquired MG, how he acquired it or why is not apparent, but nevertheless Cecil bow’s out of the equation, Lord Nuffield subsequently transfer’s ownership to the Nuffield Organisation, which meant big changes, in fact the P Midget was dropped after only two year’s.
Production figures for the model are shown as 2000 PA’s and 526 PB’s.
Despite the loss of the P Midget so quickly there was at least good news on the horizon the “T” series were coming, but more of that another time.
Drive with care, but then Classic driver’s always do.
Ted Lay
