1939 MG TB

Only 379 MGTB models were ever built by the MG Car Company between April and September 1939. World War II forced the company into wartime production. Post war, the company quickly introduced the MGTC model and went on to produce over 10,000 TCs. A primary reason for the success of MG was the factory had never been bombed during the war and they were able to immediately resume car manufacturing. This car was the 23rd MGTB produced with a build date of May 2, 1939. It was first registered in Surrey, England on July 5, 1939. A log book provides ownership back to 1961. This car was pulled from a scrap yard in Anniesland in Glasgow, Scotland in 1963 by an enterprising young man who intended to restore the car for his girlfriend whom he later married. The car passed through 4 other owners in Scotland before finally being owned by a US Naval officer stationed in Edzel Scotland. The car was shipped to the US in 1972 and was purchased by William Sillhan of Pensacola FL in 1990 and went into storage for the next 23 years.

The current owner purchased the car in 2013 and intended to restore it for vintage pre-war racing. He found another car for that project and decided to resurrect this real piece of British MG history. Of the 313 2-seat roadsters built in 1939 only about 15 have made their way to the US.

The MG TA Midget appeared in the spring of 1936 as a replacement for the MG PB. It featured many components borrowed from Morris. Channel sections replaced the tubular cross-members making the vehicles ride more comfortable. The suspension was provided by leaf springs and beam-axle in the front and rear. The brakes were hydraulically operated drums, a first for MG. The body shell was assembled around the MG traditional way of using a wooden frame. All this added up to a total weight of 1,765 pounds.
A 1292 cc, overhead-valve, pushrod, four-cylinder engine was placed in the front and powered the rear wheels. Outfitted with dual horizontal SU carburetors, the engine produced 50 horsepower. The four-speed manual gearbox was synchromesh, another first for MG.

When first introduced, the two-seater vehicle could be purchased in an open and closed configuration. Later, the open coupe, referred to as an Airline Coupe, was replaced with a Drophead style. The Drophead used a soft-top that could open and close depending on the driver and the weather conditions.

In 1939 World War II was beginning. MG was introducing its latest vehicle, the TB Midget. It was basically the same as the TA but was equipped with a larger, 1250cc, engine. The four-cylinder over-head valve, XPAG power plant was borrowed from the new Morris 10. It produced 45 horsepower and was much more reliable than its predecessor. When the war began, production ceased. MG shifted its focus to creating equipment for military purposes.

Even though the TC was a rebirth of an old model and used outdated mechanical equipment but with a modern interior, the TC Midget was very successful. During its four-year production run, lasting from 1945 through 1949, more than 10,000 TC's were created.

In 1949, the TC was replaced by the TD Midget. It visually appeared like the previous Midgets but was very different in mechanical ways. With a new chassis, it was sturdier and provided a comfortable ride. An independent suspension with double wishbones and coil springs were placed in the front. The vehicle was left-hand drive. The engine and transmission were identical to the TC. To comply with newly developed safety concerns and regulations, bumpers were placed on the front and in the rear.

A Mark II version used a more powerful version of the XPAG engine. With larger carburetors and higher compression ratio, the vehicle produced 57 horsepower. The suspension was modified and the interior received bucket seats.

During its four-year production run, the TD experienced even more success than its predecessor. Just like the TC, many of the TD Midgets were exported to the United States.

In 1953, the TD was updated and dubbed the TF. It was given a 1466 cc engine. Production continued through 1955 when it was replaced by the MGA.

Prior to World War I, the future of the company was unknown. Thanks to the success of the TA, the road was paved for MG to continue its prosperous status after the War. The models that followed brought modifications both visually and mechanically. The T-Series, lasting from 1936 through 1955, was a simple and reliable two-seater sports car that was fun to drive.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2006