Description
Arriving mid-September at The Garage
1931 MG M-Type Sportsman’s Coupé
A remarkably rare and historically fascinating example of the MG M-Type, offered following an extraordinary 65 years in the same ownership.
The Sportsman’s Coupé represents one of the most unusual variations of MG’s pioneering M-Type Midget. Very few were built and the owner records that only five or six examples are known to survive today.
This particular car, chassis C/ M2917, engine 2679, retains its distinctive original Glasgow registration GG 3949. It was first registered on 1st July 1931 to Captain Cyril Grimley, whose home address was Aintree House, South Farnborough, Hampshire. Interestingly, the Sportsman’s Coupé cost £245 when new, a considerable premium over the £185 asked for the contemporary two-seater.
Its present owner acquired the MG in May 1960 while a university student and proceeded to use it as his everyday car, travelling extensively around London and regularly making the 90-mile journey to Ringwood. In 1961 the car took part in the celebrated Boxing Night Informal event organised by Motor Sport editor William Boddy, retracing the route of the 1928 MCC London-Exeter Trial. The MG and its exploits were subsequently mentioned in Motor Sport in February 1962.
The car was later seen at the MG Car Club Annual Registers Rally at Beaulieu in 1969 and was entered onto the Triple-M Register as number 1112.
After many years in storage, a comprehensive restoration was entrusted to the highly respected MG authority Mike Allison, commencing in 1997. What began as a relatively straightforward renovation developed into a painstaking total restoration when deterioration was discovered within the ash body frame.
The frame was carefully reconstructed by Roger Wing, retaining all serviceable original timber, while the car's completeness allowed the great majority of its original components either to be retained or accurately copied. The mechanical components were comprehensively rebuilt, the original instruments restored and the dashboard and interior woodwork refinished.
Particular care was taken to preserve the fascinating details unique to the Sportsman’s Coupé. The sliding sunroof, which had disappeared many years previously, was accurately recreated from period drawings, even incorporating the original locking bar which had remarkably remained with the car.
During restoration the car's original colour scheme was also discovered: black to the lower body with Pillar Box Red Rexine to the upper section and matching red wheels. Its unusual pneumatic seat cushions were reconstructed to the original pattern and the interior retrimmed in red Connolly leather.
Mechanically, the engine was extensively rebuilt and incorporates a fully counterbalanced Phoenix crankshaft. A J-Type four-speed gearbox had been fitted earlier in the car's life and was retained, providing a particularly pleasant and practical improvement for modern driving.
The restoration was completed in 2003, when GG 3949 made its return to the road and appeared at the Vintage Minor Register gathering at Prescott. Since then it has attended almost every VMR Summer Rally, although its owner's residence overseas has meant that overall use has remained relatively modest.
For many years the MG has been maintained and cared for by Oliver Richardson, who was himself involved with Mike Allison when the car emerged from its long storage in 1997. By 2019 the owner reported that the engine felt particularly strong and that the car was performing extremely well.
Today it is described by its owner as being in good mechanical order and has recently been fitted with new Blockley tyres.
Despite its rarity, the Sportsman’s Coupé is a surprisingly practical little motor car. The sliding roof provides much of the enjoyment of an open car while retaining weather protection, there is remarkably generous legroom, and the four-speed gearbox adds considerably to its usability.
The car is accompanied by a quite exceptional documented history, including extensive photographs of its restoration and articles written by its long-term owner for both the MG Car Club Triple-M Yearbook and the Vintage Minor Register. It has also featured on a number of magazine covers.
After 65 years with the same enthusiastic owner, GG 3949 is now reluctantly coming to market.
A rare opportunity to acquire not merely an exceptionally scarce MG, but a car with remarkable continuity of ownership, provenance and character.
Further details and photographs will be updated following her arrival at The Garage.
Interested to know more about this car and its history?
Please get in touch through Car & Classic to speak with Robin or Michelle, or to arrange a viewing.
We regularly sell cars throughout the UK, Europe and the USA, and can assist with fully insured UK transport, worldwide shipping and export arrangements.
All viewings at The Garage are strictly by prior appointment.
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