1932 MG F-Type Magna

A six-cylinder engined car that was produced by the MG Car Company from October 1931 until 1932 the F-Type Magna was also known as the '12/70 Magna Light Six'. MG was looking for a car to fill the gap in between the M-Type Midget and the 18/80, so they turned to another of the engines that was available from William Morris's acquisition of Wolseley. They chose the small 1271 cc 6-cylinder version of the overhead camshaft engine used in the 1929 MG M type Midget. It was also previously seen in the 1930 Wolseley Hornet and feature dummy side covers to disguise its origins. The engine was smoother and more powerful than the 4-cylinder version used in the Midget (M-type) and was eventually developed for use in the famous 'K' type along with other 'small six' MGs of the 1930's.

The 'F' was replaced in 1933 by the 'L' type. During its day, the F-Type was very popular and it sold faster than any other 1930's six-cylinder MG model, but unfortunately, over the years it fell out of fashion. Today the F type appears at numerous car club meetings worldwide and still wins awards.

The engine was fitted with 1-inch twin SU carburetors that produced 37.2 bhp at 4100 rpm at first, which was later increased to 47 bhp by revising the valve timing. The drive to the rear wheels flowed through a four-speed non-synchromesh gearbox of ENV manufacture. The chassis on the F-Type was a 10-inch longer version of the one from the MG D-type with suspension by half elliptic springs and Hartford friction shock absorbers all around with rigid front and rear axles. Ultra low, the chassis was from the successful racing 'C' type and was suitably lengthened for the extra 2 cylinders of the 'F' type. Originally the F-type shared the 4-seater and coupe bodies of the 'D' type Midget, but it was often fitted with specialist 'bespoke' bodies, and in 1932, a 2-seater version with cutaway doors and a slab petrol-tank was introduced.

The F-type featured wire wheels with 4.00 x 19 tires and center lock fixing utilized. The F-type had a wheelbase of 94 inches and a track of 42 inches with a sloping radiator and long hood. This car could achieve 70 mph. Outside coachbuilders such as Jarvis, Stiles, Windover and Abby received 188 of these cars supplied in chassis form. The wheelbase of the 'F' type wasn't just used for the successful 'K3' racer, but also the 'L', 'N' and 'T' types, which set a pattern that only ended when the last of 'square-rigger' MGs, and the 'TF' was replaced by the 'MGA' in 1955. With its 4-seat body, the original F was restricted quite a bit by having only 8-inch brake drums. Due to this restraint, many F1 cars have been subsequently fitted with the larger F2 brakes. The four-seat tourer cost £250 while the Foursome coupé cost £289.

The 'F' type MG marked a turning point, not only in the fortunes of MG, but in car engineering as a whole. The characteristically period 'helmet' style wings gave way to 'motorcycle' ones, and several examples featured the swept wings that would be seen on later vehicles.

More fashionable than the little 'M' type Midget, the 'F' type was a popular purchase for many celebrities of the day. It wasn't designed for racing; its 1271 cc engine had a capacity between the 1100cc and 1500cc classes, though it did compete in a few races. The F-type was better suited for rallies, or as they were better known 'trials'. Grand Prix driver Dick Seaman used one of the F-Types in his first international competition drive; the 1932 Alpine Trial. It was during this that W.E.C. received a Glacier Cup in another 'F' type model. Norman Black also completed the Monte Carlo in an 'F' type while Kitty Brunell competed in the Scottish Rally. Prince Bira, another Grand Prix driver also owned an 'F' type as well as other big names like D'Oyly and Amy Johnson. The Police force also had at least two.

During its relatively short production run, the 'F' underwent numerous changes. The F2 was introduced late in the year of 1932 and was the open 2-seater car in the range. The F2 also received the much needed enhanced braking by fitting larger 12 inch drums all around. The F2 body with straight topped doors came from the J-Type Midget. Also introduced in the same year was the F3 which used the same brakes as the F2 but featured the 4 seater tourer and Foursome Coupe bodies fitted. By changing the cooling water flow the engine cooling was improved for the F3. There was probably more variety with this model that with any other MG, and the development that would eventually take place would benefit all additional models.

Following the war, 'F' types began being used more for commuting and 'economy' student transportation, while the spares were becoming scarcer. Unfortunately over the years, the trouble and cost of repairing and restoring the original bodies often led Magna owners to convert their cars to F2-style bodywork. Approximately 1,250 MG F-Type Magna's were sold.

A MG F-Type Magna was set to be auctioned on Thursday, January 21st, 2010 with a set price between $95,000 and $125,000. The one sold was a 1,271 cc inline six-cylinder engine with single overhead camshaft and dual SU carburetors, front and rear semi-elliptic leaf spring suspension with sliding trunnions, E.N.V. non-synchromesh four-speed 'double-top' gearbox and four-wheel cable-operated drum brakes.

The model auctioned was finished in Saratoga Red, and was expertly complemented by gleaming brightwork, painted wire wheels and a folding windscreen with dual Brooklands racing windscreens. The cockpit was encased in leather and featured dual bucket seats and a machine-turned dash with instruments housed within octagonal bezels.

By Jessica Donaldson