1949 MGA  –   I failed to get details on this entrant

The MGA  is one of the  easiest  to recognise sporty car of  the fifties.   It was from the outset a very pretty car.  Elvis Presley  thought it extremely attractive and the one he owned is still parked  at Graceland.

Three MGA prototypes were entered in the 24 hour  LeMans  of  1955 “The grand prix of endurance  and efficiency ”  one of the cars crashed and the other two came in 12th and 17th .   This  success probably accounted for the great success the MGA had as an export model  Over 100.00 cars were built, the British  sold under 6.000  in the home market.

MGA 1955 to 1962  Extremely collectable,  early models highly sought

 

1949 MGY  Entrant number 12 Driver Owen McNeill Navigator Mary McNeill

The MGY was created from a Morris Ten, a Morris Eight, and some Wolseley parts. It was not really as sporty as it looked, as it weighed a bit over a ton. It was not greatly handy for anything over 60 miles per hour. It did have a sunroof, leather upholstery, lots of walnut trim, and a tilting windscreen. That was about all that was needed to attract the few buyers willing to upgrade to a car with a touch more glamour.

An open top version was introduced in 1948 (YT) , it had the same  54 BHP engine with twin SU carburetors, the same as the MG  TC.   The YT was not wildly successful, probably the wrong mixture of sporty and luxury.

In 1953, the Y was replaced with the MG Magnette, which was a Wolseley 4/44 body with an MG grill, an attractive car, but not a lot of oomph.  With a weight above 1,130 kg, powered by less than 1500 cc

It is a very collectible car. The MG badge, the two large headlights either side of a grille on a long bonnet, and the four seats are well-sought-after looks. It’s an excellent classic well suited to club outings.

History

The 1940 MG Y series, particularly the MG Y Type, was a significant model produced by the MG Car Company in the United Kingdom. Launched just before World War II, the MG Y was notable for being MG’s first post-war design, reflecting the brand’s aspirations for sporty and stylish vehicles.

The MG Y was based on a newly designed chassis and featured a lightweight body, making it agile and fun to drive. It was powered by a 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine, which gave its size a respectable amount of power. One of the exciting aspects of the MG Y was its emphasis on a sporty appearance, with features like a streamlined body and distinctive MG grille.

The war significantly impacted the production of the MG Y type. While the model was introduced in 1939, production transitioned to support the war effort, and many of the car’s components were repurposed for military use. This meant that the MG Y Type production was limited during the early 1940s, leading to fewer cars being made than other models.

After World War II, the MG Y series revived, contributing to the brand’s legacy and popularity. The model has since become a classic among vintage car enthusiasts, symbolizing a blend of British engineering and sporty design from its era. Today, the MG Y Type is celebrated at classic car shows and is sought after by collectors, reflecting its enduring appeal and historical significance in the automotive world.