M is for MG

Two of the best known specials, the Flying Shingle (L) and the R-1 (R) at the Pebble Beach road races in 1955. Both cars were built by Ken Miles and dominated the under 1,500-cc class. Photo: American Racing Museum Collection

π•—π•£π• π•ž 𝔸 π•₯𝕠 β„€… ℙ𝕖𝕓𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝔹𝕖𝕒𝕔𝕙 ℝ𝕠𝕒𝕕 ℝ𝕒𝕔𝕖𝕣𝕀 𝟟𝟝π•₯𝕙

π“œ 𝓲𝓼 𝓯𝓸𝓻 π“œπ“–

MG cars had their roots in a 1920s sales promotion side-line of Morris Garages, a retail sales and service centre in Oxford belonging to William Morris. The business’s manager, Cecil Kimber, modified standard production Morris Oxfords and added MG Super Sports to the plate at the nose of the car. A separate M.G. Car Company Limited was incorporated in July 1930 and traded until 1972. MG established a name for itself in the early days of international automobile racing. Beginning before and continuing after World War II, MG produced a line of cars known as the T-Series Midgets, which were exported, achieving greater worldwide success than expected. These included the MG TC, MG TD, and MG TF, all of which were based on the pre-war MG TB, and updated with each successive model.

β€’ MG TC (1945–1950): The first post-war T-type. Features a 1,250 cc XPAG inline-four engine producing 54 hp. Includes a 4-speed manual gearbox, rigid suspension, and narrow body with flowing fenders. Top speed is approx. 75 mph.

β€’ MG TD (1949–1953): Introduced major styling changes, wider body, and a coil-sprung independent front suspension. Powered by the same 1,250 cc engine (54.4 bhp), but featured updated rack-and-pinion steering. Top speed is around 77 mph.

β€’ MG TF (1953–1955): The final evolution. Retained the TD chassis but featured a heavily revised body with integrated headlights. Engine is the 1,250 cc XPAG (57 hp). Later TF 1500 versions boasted a larger 1,466 cc XPEG engine producing 63 bhp and an 88 mph top speed.

The Del Monte Trophy Race Group, for sports racing cars in the period 1948-1955 has several TD and TF models, stock and modified, and some famous specials based on MG chassis and engines, racing on track every year. Here are five of the best known that race with us, each linked to a page of details on our web site…

1951 MG TD Devin https://dmtrg.com/1951-devin-mg-td/

1952 MG TD Schiaretti Special https://dmtrg.com/1952-mg-td-schiaretti-special/

1951 MG TD supercharged https://dmtrg.com/kaiden-marouf-1951-supercharged-mg-td/

1950 MG TD Von Neumann Special http://www.dmtrg.com/jeffrey-abramson-1950-mgtd-von…/

1952 MG R1 Special https://dmtrg.com/ken-miles-mg-special-r1/

1954 MG Special R2 Flying Shingle https://dmtrg.com/ken-miles-mg-special-r2/