MG Model P

Total Production: 526
The MG Model P was produced from 1934 though 1936, during that time 2499 examples were produced. It was built as a replacement for the Model J. Using the same 847 cc engine but with a new 3 bearing crank it was more refined that its Midget predecessor. It continued the basic look defined by the J type. It had a fold-flat windscreen and a wheel strapped to the back of the car. The fuel tank was also located in the rear.

There were two series of the Model P, the PA and PB. The PA was produced from 1934 through 1935 with a total of 2000 examples being produced. The MG PB was produced from 1935 through 1936 with 526 examples produced. The PA was powered by a 847 cc four-cylinder engine similar to the one used in the Model J-Type. The PB had a 939 cc unit which raised horsepower to 43 horsepower. The other main difference between the Model PA and Model PB was the radiator grille. The PA had a honeycomb design while the PB had vertical slats.

Airline Coupe
The Airline Coupes were one of the more attractive and aerodynamic creations by MG on the PA/PB platform. There were around 51 examples created with a little over half being built atop of the PA chassis. Fifteen were mounted on PB chassis. The others were either rebodied or built on the NA/NB chassis and fitted with the larger six-cylinder engine.

The PA chassis served as the platform for the first Airline Coupes. The PA featured a 847cc engine that breathed through two SU carburetors. The introduction of the PB brought along a larger 939cc engine.

The Airline Coupes used a few design cues from its PA siblings such as the front fenders, front cowl, and the radiator. From there it made its departure utilizing a wider stance, a sloped rear end and even featuring a sliding roof.
By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2008From 1934 until 1936 the MG P-type was produced by the MG Car Company. The P-type was a two-door sports car powered by an updated version of the overhead camshaft, crossflow engine driven by a vertical generator connecting the crankcase to the camshaft, like the one in the 1928 Morris Minor and Wolseley 10. It drove the rear wheels through a four-speed non-synchromesh gearbox and thermo-syphon cooling. A slightly longer version of strengthened chassis was used in the J-type with suspension by half-elliptic springs all round with rigid front and rear axles.

In June of 1935 the MG PB succeeded the MG PA. The PB featured a larger engine and updated instrumentation and it was the final Midget with the high-revving OHC engine. The PB had a bigger 939 cc engine that was made by enlarging the bore from 57 to 60 mm, compared to the PA's 847 cc engine. The output in the PB was increased to 43 bhp (32 kW). The two models were very similar to each other with the main differences between them being the radiator grille. The PB featured vertical slates while the PA had a honeycomb design. Other differences setting the two models apart were in the design and material of the standard dashboard.

A Marles Weller system controlled the steering at first, before a Bishop Cam system took over. Most P-type cars were open two seaters, though some streamlined Airline coupe bodies were also produced. Riding on a 87 inch wheelbase, the MG P-Types were also available as a four-seater model, but unfortunately that model suffered from poor ground clearance and suffered from a lack of power.

A total of 526 MG PB's were produced at the Liverpool MG factory compared to 2,000 of the PA models. A supercharged MG PB won the Limerick Grand Prix in 1936 driven by Andrew Hutchinson. Today these PB models are highly sought after in almost any condition.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MG_P-type
http://www.prewarcar.com/index.php?option=com_caradvert&view=ad&layout=history§ion_id=1&id=93430&Itemid=432
http://classiccars.brightwells.com/viewdetails.php?id=1265

By Jessica Donaldson