MG Car Club of South Australia

After some intensive research by the Prewar MG Register of Australia led by the Registrar (former Croweater, now Victorian) Tony Sloane, it has come to light that this is the actual car that finished third in the 1933 Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island. The entry was sponsored by the Melbourne importer-dealers, Lanes Motors, and the car was driven by their diminutive Spare Parts Manager, Les Jennings. It averaged over 64 mph for the 200-mile race (carrying a mechanic) and was only narrowly headed by two larger cars, viz a Riley and a Bugatti. It was then sold to its first private owner, Norman Putt, who intended entering it in the 1934 AGP but at the last minute drove a later-model K-type which retired. After further local competition in Victoria the car was converted for road use and presumably changed hands until it was bought by a Melburnian named Ray Miller in 1939. The current owner has a photo of the car with Ray and his brother Eric in it shortly after it was purchased (incidentally both of the brothers are hale and hearty and remember all of the details clearly). Both "joined up" and at war's end set about converting the F-type into an up-to-date racing machine with a new chassis and superb single-seater body. However, other projects took precedence and the now transformed F-type was never driven in its new guise and was eventually put back into its former road-going configuration and then sold to an ex-army friend of the Millers (who is also still fit and well!). In the early 1950's it found its way to South Australia and again changed hands (being raced briefly at Port Wakefield and possibly Collingrove) and passed through the hands of (amongst others) MG CC members Don Offler, Terry Wright and (earlier) the late Donn Shinners. It was acquired from Terry by the current owner in the 1980's. Since it has been "laid up" for much of its life the "running gear" is practically all original and in remarkably sound condition.

A total of 40 of this model, the first 6 cylinder MG sports car, were made from late 1932 until early 1933 and led directly to the better known and more numerous K, L and N types.

It was originally intended to enter a team of these cars fitted with superchargers in the 1933 Mille Miglia (a 1,000 mile race on public roads around Italy), however the desired power output could not be achieved reliably and so the cylinder head was “beefed up” and a number of other modifications were made. This resulted in the famous K3’s which easily won their class and the team prize.

These engines are actually of Wolseley design, having been developed from World War 1 Hispano- Suiza aero engines that were made by Wolseleys (who made MG engines until 1936) under licence. "Hispano-Suiza were the foremost engine designers at that time, the cylinder head being particularly ingenious and no doubt was a major factor in the outstanding competition successes that these overhead camshaft cars acheived. In the case of the F type a part from the basic layout, a number of aircraft design features were carried over, such as the very light weight of the engine itself, external lubrication system and the front main crankshaft bearing which is a large ball race necessary in aircraft to support the propeller!

Despite their short production life, F-types were very successful in speed events (at Brooklands and elsewhere) and also in reliability trials and this no doubt inspired the many legendary achievements that were to follow.

Apart from some original factory records and importation details, not much is known of this cars early life. It was raced at Pt Wakefield in the 1950’s and passed through several owners’ hands before undergoing restoration by the present owners. Some preliminary work was commenced in 1998 but various health crises and other projects delayed its completion until the latter part of 2003.

Steering, brakes and gear-changing require considerable concentration and determination and driving the car is certainly not for the faint-hearted, it has a definite aggressive feel and its performance is quite impressive."

Gearbox: E.N.V. four speed crash type, straight cut close ratio gears, external “gate” change.