Lot 158

Registration Number: OD 6791                         Chassis Number: 3772
It was in August 1932 that the J series Midgets were announced with Cecil Kimber too impatient to wait for the London Motor Show in October of that year. The whole Midget range was in need of rationalisation and this was certainly achieved with the new Midgets. There were 4 models announced, J1, J2, J3 and J4 with only the J1 and J2 available initially. With the J2 selling for just £199.10s and the J1 for marginally more, the cars were within the reach of many enthusiasts of the era. The J1 was offered with 4 seater open or closed bodywork whilst the J2 was strictly a two seater sports car. The J3 and J4 variants, although^ announced, did not appear until mid 1933 and were specifically aimed at the racing fraternity. The new range replaced the M, C and D type Midgets which were by now becoming outdated and in the case of the D type and M type, lacking power with their 27 bhp engines.

The J type chassis was derived from the C and D types but the power unit and gearbox was quite different, with the engine sporting an eight port cross-flow cylinder head, that increased output to 36 bhp with the capacity of 847cc but still retaining a two main bearing crankshaft. The old three speed gearbox with roots in the Morris Minor family and used in the D and M type, gave way to a new four speed gearbox with remote control gear lever. Most important of all was the revised body styling which was to become the yardstick for most MG models that were to follow over the next twenty years or so, the basic design was also copied by other sports car manufacturers of the time. The design showed its race bred origin with humped scuttles and deep cutaway doors and a large externally mounted slab type fuel tank which also had the spare wheel mounted on it. The two seat J2 was soon to be acknowledged as one of the classic sports cars of all time and a car that was both functional, economical and blessed with quite lively performance. The J2 appeared initially with cycle wings but a year later the car sported long swept wings which to many was a retrograde step, however it seemed that MG had a recipe for a design that was to change little through the different models until 1955.



The J3 was essentially a supercharged J2 but had a 750cc engine similar to the earlier C type and utilising the bore and stroke of the race prepared MGs but without a counterbalanced crankshaft. This size of engine was retained for all the racing Midgets until the arrival of the PB Midget. The bodywork was very similar to the J2 and although the car was intended for road use, many found their way into competition achieving good results in rallies and trials.

The car we are proud to offer here today is the very last of the 22 J3 cars to be built. Originally used as a works demonstration model, in September 1933 it was purchased by a keen lady motorist and registered works driver, the Honorable E Watson, who competed it between 1934 and 1937, winning two ladies’ cups and a first class award in trials and rallies.

In 1947, the car began a brief period of ownership in the USA, being shipped over on the Queen Mary in 1947 and returning to the UK in 1951 aboard the Queen Elizabeth.

In 1971, the car began a restoration process which spanned a decade and a half, eventually being completed in 1986. Engine work was completed by MG racing specialist Mike Allison of Berkshire, author of numerous books on pre-war MGs. The car was also subjected to a light refurbishment in the 1990s, and since then has been used sparingly and well maintained, and as a result it is offered in excellent condition. In 1993, the car was the subject of a six-page article in the French motoring magazine Retro Viseur, a photocopy of which is included in the sale.

In a report on the car, Sir John Rogers writes "This J3 may well be the most complete and original of the 15 surviving cars, only a few of which remain in this country”.

Finished in its original two-tone colour scheme of Abingdon and Brooklands Grey, the car is eligible for numerous pre-war competition events. A truly superb example of this very rare pre-war MG sports racing car.



L’automobile che siamo orgogliosi di offrire oggi è l’ultima J3 delle 22 costruite. Originariamente usata come vettura di prova dell’officina, venne acquistata da una signora grande appassionata di motori, nonché pilota di scuderia, la stimata E. Watson, che gareggiò tra il 1934 e il 1937, vincendo due coppe femminili e il primo premio in gare e rally.

Dell’auto scrive Sir John Rogers:” questa J3 può ben essere la più completa e originale delle 15 sopravvissute, di cui solo poche restano in questo paese”.

Rifinita nell’originale combinazione tono su tono di grigio Abingdon su Brooklands, quest’automobile è pronta per partecipare a numerose gare storiche ante guerra. Un esemplare veramente splendido di vettura da corsa ante guerra.

 

Estimate: €80000 - €95000