MG PA Midget

Key facts

Year

1935
Country

Great Britain
Capacity

847cc
Cylinders

In-line 4
Output

36hp @ 5,500rpm
Maximum speed

75mph/120.70kph
Performance

75mph, 0–60mph 23 seconds
Price new

£222 (later reduced to £199 to clear)
Owner

National Motor Museum Trust
Manufacturer

M.G. Car Co. Ltd

The P-Type was a development of the MG Midget, introduced in March 1934, which built on a tradition started with the M-Type in 1928. This is very much the classic MG sports car look with cutaway doors, swept wings, running boards and slab fuel tank. Power was from a new, smoother running version of the MG overhead camshaft engine with three main bearings. This particular MG PA was in everyday use for over thirty years.

By 1935 MG had competition, both in terms of sales and on the race track, from the Singer Nine Sports. To counter this, the P-Type was upgraded with a 939cc engine to become the PB. The remaining stock of original cars, now called the PA, continued to be sold at a reduced price to clear. Like most MG sports cars, P-Type Midgets were enormously popular in club motor sport.