Description
All matching numbers, possibly the most original surviving roadworthy MG Airline coupe of the 47 built. Of the 15 known to survivors, three are thought to be roadworthy in the UK. Apart from safety additions, it is close to its original specification, including colour.
First registered on 14 December 1934, fitted with the ‘Deluxe Extra Equipment’ package, - bonnet strap, headlamp stone-guards, quick-release filler caps on radiator and petrol tank, radiator and oil thermometers (with glove pockets blanked for these instruments), and 8-day clock mounted on a bracket underneath facia board.
Good history file including the ‘Continuation’ buff log book issued by Surrey CC in 1947, listing three owners after the original purchaser up to Ronald Cass, who bought it in 1962 as a ‘runner but only just’ for a ‘nominal sum’! Used as a runabout until the mid-1970s, he started a sympathetic restoration, returned to the road in 2011 by his son Richard, although lacking some original equipment. They retained as much of the original car as possible, repairing rather than replacing parts. File includes photos of the restoration, invoices, original manual and parts list, articles about the car in magazines, etc, copies of factory file and Heritage Certificate from MGCC.
In current ownership since August 2019, missing original items sourced and fitted by the current owner and a few things added to improve safety in modern traffic, including LED lights, discreet flashing indicators in the sidelights, high-level brake light, driver’s sun visor and period mirrors.
The car has covered about 3500 miles since 2019, including several round trips of over 100 miles to Brooklands, where it won Car of the Show at the MGCC SE Centre MG100SE in 2024. It also won the best pre-war MG at the MG100 event at Beaulieu in September 2023.
The car has been improved and maintained regardless of cost. 5 new Blockley tyres fitted in 2020, a stainless exhaust in 2021 and a new battery early 2024. It has been through an annual MOT test since 2019, even though exempt. The current certificate runs until May 2025. Although not quite ‘concours’, the car is in very good, useable condition, with patina commensurate with its age.
There is a video of the car on Brooklands TV channel on YouTube, filmed in 2022 - - details above (copy and paste into your browser if the link does not work). More details and photos on request.
You can drive it away for the asking price, but I will consider serious sensible offers for the car.
The car is located on the Isle of Wight. I will be happy to collect prospective buyers from one of the foot passenger ferry terminals to view the car.
