1930 MG 18/80 SPORTS SIX MK 2

Chassis Number: 2/A0331

Registration Number: MG1021

A rare MG car (one of 501 examples made) with the larger 2.5 litre six cylinder engine. This car was the university motors demonstration car in 1930 as assorted original correspondence attests to. It was purchased in 2001 as a complete but very dilapidated restoration project by the previous owner who then set about a no expenses spared full restoration of the car. Pleasingly he re-instated the original colour scheme of a deep red over masons black & dispensed with the white wall tyres in favour of a new set of Blockleys.

While its predecessors were very closely based on the "Bullnose" Morris Oxford, the MG 18/80 was the first model in which the factory had designed the chassis itself, and was the first car to have the typical MG grille with vertical standing slats and vertical center bar and higher set headlights. It was initially known as the 'MG Six'. The cars were equipped with six-cylinder inline engines with chain-driven overhead camshafts. They were of 2468 cc displacement and had a double carburetor with only one float chamber. The power was about 60 bhp (45 kW), giving a top speed of 80 mph (130 km/h), as indicated by the '80' in the product designation 18/80.

The car is in freshly restored condition with just 3373 miles covered since it returned to the road. to the interior is a high quality red leather interior along with matching red carpets & some black over mats to protect the carpets underneath. The dash has its full quota of working period instrumentation. The body is a two seater with space for a single passenger or dog in the dickey seat area which may also be used for luggage. A brand new black mohair hood is in situ along with slot out side screens that stow in the dickey area when not in use.

The Carbodies number is 7871, which is one of 30 ordered on 9th October 1929, the 30 bodies being numbered 7844 to 7873.  

The engine was rebuilt with all new bearings and the re-bore and crank re-grind were carried out by a local firm, and Fred Body arranged for the white metalling to be done. Riley pistons were fitted to give a higher compression ratio, which is a great help on our busy roads.

An electric petrol pump is fitted on the chassis under the passenger seat. A battery isolation switch was also fitted to the near-side chassis rail, and a complete wiring loom made to include flashers, twin rear lights and brake lights, and double-dip headlamps. A Zenner diode was fitted in the charging circuit, instead of the usual cut-out. The steel wings had new metal brased in & also new water shields installed.

The car drives beautifully with a strong powerful engine that starts readliy & allows the car to run comfortably in modern day traffic. The handbrake is a ratchet type that only engages when the button is depressed after pulling it back & thus can confidently be used for extra brake force when required to augment the foot brake pedal.

The car is running beautifully & is absolutely ready for extended use.

Call Richard Biddulph. Mobile ++44 (0) 7967 260673

Simone Della Corte Mobile ++44 (0) 7377070943

Sales & Valuations

Vintage & Prestige of Northampton Ltd.

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