1934 MG PA Midget. Registration number BPL 595 (DVLA not tax...

Hammer

£16,500

1934 MG PA Midget. Registration number BPL 595 (DVLA not taxed for road use). Chassis number PD 1479. Engine number XPJM1 4139.
The P type Midget was launched in March 1934 as the replacement for the J2. 'Autocar' magazine road tested the P type in November of that year and reported "This latest model is a marked improvement in all respects over its forerunners". Sales literature produced by Abingdon claimed, "In all there are over one hundred new and improved features". With good reports in the motoring press it was no surprise that the car sold well, with serious production starting at the end of January 1934; over two hundred cars a month were coming off the production lines.
The P type was fitted with an all new 847cc engine, with three main bearings supporting the rigid crankshaft. Most of the design knowledge gained from previous involvement in production car trials and racing proved invaluable to the production of the P type. The chassis was far sturdier than the J type and the body was less angular and had more flowing lines. When introduced the P type two seater sold for £220. The P type was never intended as a racing model, unlike many of its predecessors, however it was soon seen on the circuits and in 1935 a three car team of P types was entered in the 24 hour Le Mans race. The team was managed by George Eyston and consisted of six ladies affectionately known as "The Dancing Daughters" although they attracted much publicity, they did not fair particularly well against opposition from Singer's 972cc sports car. The Singers took 1st, 3rd and 4th places. This, along with other factors prompted Abingdon to produce a more powerful model, to be designated the PB which was introduced in 1935. The engine capacity was increased to 939cc to give more power and a close ratio gearbox was fitted. The original P type was discontinued in favour of the new model although it was still catalogued at a substantially reduced price. This move failed to sell the remaining stocks and 27 PA’s were converted to PB models by the end of 1935. Production of the PB finally ceased in February 1936 with only 525 being produced. A total of 2,500 P types left Abingdon between 1933 and 1936. They were replaced by the T types.
The early history of BPL is unknown but in May 1949 it was acquired by Mitchell Brothers of Carlton Garage, in Forrest Gate, East London. Sid Mitchell, assisted by Doug McGee (a believed ex MG Abingdon race mechanic began to campaign it with many ongoing modifications, including heavily reducing its weight by drilling the chassis, fitting a T type engine, number 4169 (in 1953 along with a colour change to red), with special head (sleeved down to 1150 cc), from 1708, a T type gearbox, K type brakes and a new space frame body. As with most race cars this was a progressive development.
S.A. Mitchell entered local events before his first “big” race at Goodwood in 1950. Until 1954 he entered some thirteen events in it according to the records at Silverstone, Snetterton, Goodwood and Brands Hatch with many podium finishes, see http://www.racingsportscars.com/driver/S.%20A._-Mitchell-GB.html.
It was then retired and in May 1956 sold to J. Davies in North West London, Peter Birchall of Bowness in 1957, (presumably hill climbed and trialled in Cumbria). Eric Frankland of Yorkshire bought it in May 1960 and then several owners in the region, Antony Farnell, Ernest Precious, William Marshall, Anne Sunley, Russell Cowling in 1966 who owned it until 1973 when I. Goode took over its ownership and asked Ted Gledhill of Pit Stop Garage of Stanningley, Leeds to sell him for it for him in 1978. Roger Crabtree of Sleaford bought it and our vendor bought it for £1,500 in 1983 from him.
In 1989 our vendor contacted Mitchells grandson who allowed him the copy the completion photographs that go with the car and confirmed its history, (see letter on file).
Today we are left with the original chassis bearing the correct number PA 1479 to the front off side dumb iron, a replacement XPJM1 engine numbered 4139, which is from a 1939 Morris Ten Series 3 and a partial space frame body.
Sold with two R.F. 60 log books, a V5, a large photographic race history and sundry correspondence. This MG, once restored, will make a worthwhile project that should have no problem being invited to Historic races such as Goodwood.