In the 1920s, Britain didn’t really have an awful lot to offer in the way of small sports-cars save for a few cyclecars and some variations of the Austin Seven. ‘Proper’ sports-cars were strictly for the wealthy. However, things started to change in 1928 when MG brought out its M-type Midget, a lightweight two-seater on the Morris Minor chassis with a tuned version of the 850cc overhead-valve engine.

The success of the M-type really put MG on the map as a sports-car builder, and within a few years a plethora of other Midgets became available. These were, without doubt, ‘proper’ sports-cars, just small in size and low in price. Pretty soon, nigh-on every race or trial run by the Junior Car Club or Light Car Club was awash with MGs; the Midget had attracted a sizeable fan base.

The early Midgets retained much in common with the M-type, but then the PA appeared in 1934 and it was different – more mature, you might say. Its predecessors had been regarded as slightly fragile, so the PA was made just a little bit bulkier and stronger, not to mention better-furnished. Its engine was also substantially redesigned, gaining a heavier crankshaft with three main bearings while various other parts were strengthened. At 36 b.h.p., power output had not changed, but the engine had been made smoother and sturdier.

The chassis was carried over from the J-type with minimal changes, although more powerful 12-inch brakes were now used and a slightly extended wheelbase permitted roomier bodywork to be built. The majority of bodies were open two-seaters, although some four-seaters were built and there was even fashionable, Art Déco-influenced Airline coupé.

In the press, the PA was very well-received and the Motor Sport road test claimed a top speed of 72 m.p.h., with 80 potentially achievable on a generous gradient. This was an awful lot from an 850cc engine in 1934, but it was short-lived. The sports-car market began to demand even more speed, and in 1935 the engine was bored out to 939cc, and thus was the PB born, with a confirmed top speed of over 75 m.p.h. Still, the PA was good while it lasted, and it was an important stepping stone between the basic early Midgets and the internationally successful T-types, which would carry the MG badge into the 1950s. Just 1,937 PAs were built, with 27 later being converted to PBs.

This PA was built on 15th March 1934, finished in Red with Red upholstery and aluminium wheels, and was despatched from Abingdon to be sold through Douglas Seaton Ltd., the famed garage in Yeovil, Somerset. Douglas Seaton had moved into a new building in 1931 with space for 150 cars. Characterised by its square, gleaming white Art Déco tower, it became a celebrated local landmark and housed countless dozens of desirable cars.

We can imagine just what a picture this PA looked through the showroom window, winking at the passers-by and inviting them to take it home. Before long, its playful twinkle succeeded in catching the eye of Miss Ellen Mary Perren, a likely young girl of 24 who lived not far away at Pinewood in Somerton, and she purchased it on 16th April.

Quite what happened after Miss Perren took it home remains obscured in the mists of time, but we understand it spent many years after the Second World War in a dismantled state, and it was not reassembled until relatively recently, when it was bought and rebuilt by a Mr. Richard Rowles with the help of the secretary of the MG Car Club. Mr. Rowles sold the MG in 2013 and its new owner subsequently took it to pieces again, this time going over it with a fine-tooth comb and restoring it comprehensively.

The vendor is a true British sports-car enthusiast with a particular penchant for MGs and Morgans, and since purchasing the PA in 2016 he has enjoyed keeping it as an authentic historic car, alongside a TC upgraded slightly for modern use.

Besides its current V5, the PA comes with M.o.T. certificates from 2010 and 2014 and copies of the original build and sales sheets provided by the MG Car Club. 

A hand-written note details the work undertaken during the previous owner’s restoration, and a set of 12 photographs illustrates the restoration process.

The PA’s interior is in excellent condition, looking very correct with its mottled red upholstery. All the upholstery is intact and looks as good as new, because it virtually is; it was fully retrimmed as part of its recent restoration. 

The matching red carpets are similarly good, being clean and well-fitted. The small storage space behind the seats is also very clean and tidy, and our general assessment of the interior is that it as good as ever you are likely to find.

The facia panel is a lovely item, and from the subtle patina which the woodwork has acquired, we’d suggest it’s all original. The gauges are extremely good having been refurbished by Chris Clark, but they still possess the same light patina which is shared by the wooden facia and all the switches.

The MG abounds with little details, and the repeated octagon motif is one of the nicest. That some serious thought went into the styling of the gear knob and the knobs for adjusting the idle and mixture is one of the indicators that you’re buying a car which has been designed very thoroughly. 

That’s right, there are knobs for adjusting the idle and mixture settings from inside the car. What a great idea – why doesn’t every car have them?

It’s hard to find the words to praise the PA’s exterior highly enough. We searched high and low over the paintwork trying to find something to fault and just couldn’t do it – it’s nothing short of fantastic and we wish we could find a stronger word than that. If there are any faults, you will probably need a magnifying glass to find them.

The MG was restored so thoroughly and meticulously and it really shows. The body was sand-blasted, the wings were leaded and plated, strengthened down the edges and repaired as necessary. The whole car was then completely repainted. The headlamps were rechromed and resilvered and new handles were sourced for the doors and bonnet.

The only instance of anything which might be termed damage is a small dent in the radiator shell, towards the bottom on the nearside of the car. However, you’ll have to look very close to spot it and we can’t see why it should curtail your enjoyment of the car.

The wheels are superb. They may have picked up some extremely light marks from the road, but they could easily pass for brand-new items at a glance. We cannot find anything to criticise in the glass of the windscreen or the light lenses, but poking around does bring to our attention those beautiful little side light housings, where again the Octagon is incorporated, sloping away dynamically in a small nod to Déco streamlining.

Having seen this car start, run and drive, we are satisfied that all is in order with it. Of course, it received some extensive mechanical work during its restoration. Mr. Rowles and his assistant were responsible for a full engine rebuild, but it was the next owner who took things a step further, stripping the car down to the chassis and working through everything else around 2013 and 2014.

The gearbox was rebuilt by Barry Dean and a new clutch was installed. It received new wheel bearings and the front brakes were refurbished. New front diff bearings were fitted, too. The ignition system was converted to take a Volkswagen distributor, and other new parts included a wiring loom, fuel tank and exhaust pipe.

Without a valid M.o.T., we are unable to make any guarantees about the car’s roadworthiness, but it passed without advisories in 2014 so we’re confident that it’s all sound. In every respect, we believe this car to be truly as good as it looks.

Pre-war MGs are fun, they’re pretty, and they’re small enough that you could consider owning one even if your garage space is limited. In many ways, a P-type could be the best one to go for. 

They’re rarer and more unusual than the T-type, but faster and generally more usable than the M- and J-type Midgets. Then again, maybe you don’t mind. Maybe all pre-war Midgets are desirable in equal measure, and a P-type to you would be as good as any other.

Either way, whether you’re looking for a P-type specifically or you just fancy trying a pre-war sports-car, this has to be one of the best you can pick up. Having received a comprehensive, chassis-up restoration, it cannot be described as anything less than outstanding. If we were in your shoes, we’d snap this up while it’s available. 

Then, we’d get out and have some fun with it. Although fewer than 2,000 PAs were made, survivors are reasonably plentiful and they’re well catered for with events by the Vintage Sports-Car Club, MG Car Club, MG Owners’ Club and Octagon Car Club.

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