THE PARSONS MG

From – Bill Schapel

This MG in the Historic Garage at the 2005 Australian Grand Prix in March, is the "Parsons MG" and was supposedly built in the mid-fifties by the factory Competition Dept at Abingdon for an Australian who never took delivery of it. They fabricated it as a large diameter tube frame, light and low, used a TF 1500 motor, TF front end, TC gearbox and clad it in a streamlined, lightweight aluminium body. It also has a Laystall aluminium head. The present owner/driver, David Clewley, has brought it out to Australia for a few months, and is also a leading light in the UK historic competition. (He also has, back in England, the fastest square-rigger MGTB around. He and Bob had lots in common and spent some time comparing notes! The TB was supercharged, but they made him remove the blower when most of his competitors found they couldn't keep up!)

The streamlined Parsons MG was to be seen in action at Collingrove on the Easter Monday and would have been well worth a look. David Clewley himself is a delightful fellow and a real MG enthusiast. We are very lucky to have the opportunity to meet him and see and enjoy this unique car in full flight. At the GP it sounded smooth and powerful as it circulated rapidly around the circuit in some very fast company - from 250F Maseratis and Lago-Talbots to ERAs, C and D type Jaguars and dozens of frighteningly expensive and quick cars.