Description
1932 MG F-Type Stiles Special Threesome Sports Tourer
This matching numbers F-Type is an older restoration example with rare alloy 'Stiles Special Threesome Sports Tourer' body. The 'Threesome' moniker refers to the layout of two front seats plus a single rear dickey. The distinctive design was penned by Frederick Stiles, who had been the British concessionaire and racing team manager for Alfa Romeo between 1927 and 1931. He commissioned 30 Threesome bodies from renowned coachbuilder James Young. Amongst the rarest of all MGs only five of these Stiles-bodied F-Types are known to have survived, of which this car is chassis F1283.
The F-Type Magna range was only produced between 1931 and 1932 to fill a gap that existed between the more affordable M-Type Midget and the expensive 18/ 80 range of cars. It was effectively a six-cylinder, longer wheelbase version of the four-cylinder D-Type launched at the same time, and therefore featured a newly designed, riveted steel chassis with sliding trunnion suspension, under slung rear axle and centre-lock wire wheels. Though supposedly new, the 1271cc engine was in fact an extended version of the Wolseley Hornet unit, but equipped with dummy side covers in order to look fresh. Its power output was 37bhp driving the rear wheels via a straight-cut four speed ENV gearbox. In hood-down guise, the Magna was capable of a creditable 70+mph flat out.
There is a good history folder with the car including original invoices that show it retains its original engine. It was first purchased in May 1932 from dealer H H Timberlake by Miss V Moss of St Annes on the Sea. There is also documented report of competition success at the 1933 Southport Sands races where it won the “Straight Mile” and the “15 Miles” races driven by Mr T L Moss. The MG remains in lovely condition, complete with tonneau cover and folding hood. The red leather interior is in excellent condition, both in the front and the rear dickey cabin. Under the bonnet the engine is clean and free of leaks, the underside is solid and dry.
Purchased in 2004 it has spent the past 21 years as part of a well known collection of vintage MGs. It is a rare example offered in particularly nice condition throughout.
