1937 MG SA Tickford Drop Head Coupe High Quality Restoration Very Rare Beauty

The MG SA or MG 2-litre is a sporting saloon that was produced by MG from 1936 to 1939. Launched as the 2-litre, it only later became known as the SA, the car had been originally planned as an advanced performance saloon to rival the likes of SS Cars (later to be known as Jaguar) and even Bentley with all independent suspension and was given the factory code of EX150 and designated the S-type. A prototype was made but with the amalgamation of MG with Morris Motors in 1935, development stopped. The Cowley drawing office picked up the project again but a much more conservative car appeared with conventional live rear and beam front axles.

From April 1936, a Tickford drophead coupé by Salmons joined the range priced at GBP398, the saloon was GBP375, and in July, coachbuilders Charlesworth offered a four-door tourer at GBP375. The tourer originally had straight topped doors but these were replaced with front ones with cutaway tops from 1938 and at the same time the spare wheel moved to the front wing.

Of the 2739 cars made, 350 were exported with Germany proving the best market. At the 1938 London Motor show, alongside an SA there was a new 2.6-litre car, the WA. This was probably designed to be a replacement but both cars ran in parallel until the outbreak of war in 1939 caused production of both to cease. 696 SA Tickford Drop Heads were built, with about 50 known survivors with less than 10 stateside.

This Exceptional Example has an interesting history having been imported to the states in 1971. It was discovered in a barn in 1988 in disrepair by a pair of owners one of which was Phil Frank, a well known cartoonist responsible for the Farley comic strip as well as several strips that appeared in Road and Track including Nigel Shiftright and Frank and Troise. They embarked on a 12 year restoration which included every aspect of the car. The body was removed and extensive wood replacement was undertaken using the correct Ash. The engine was completely rebuilt as were all mechanical aspects including the suspension and brakes. The Interior, Top, Paint and Chrome were also renewed. The work is of a very high quality and the car was awarded several Awards at Prestigious Concours on the West Coast. They retained the car until roughly 2012 having the brakes redone again prior to selling the car on. Our Client acquired the car in 2016, and has used it sparingly on sunny Summer days. He replaced the tires and the harmonic balancer, but has had no real problems with the car. We have it here in the Showroom and it starts right up every time and has no need for a battery disconnect. I have driven it a short distance and it drives quite well with no problems or issues noted- it runs cool has great oil pressure and shifts, handles and stops well. I will try to get some more miles in before the weather stops me.

Overall this is a very nicely restored car, its really been done to high level, and would still be a contender at any show its entered in. The Paint, Brightwork, Top and Interior are all without fault, the car presents very well, I really cant find any negatives. there are no nicks or scratches, its pretty flawless. The Interior is quite elegant with Walnut Trim and lovely red leather interior- MG really pulled the stops out on the trim of this car. The Engine is nicely detailed and correct in every manner and as you can see the undercarriage is a nice as the top of the car. The car runs and drives perfectly and is ready for your local fall foliage tour. This car can be driven and enjoyed immediately