1937 MG SA Tickford Drophead Coupé

A Rare and extremely attractive Drophead Coupé body by Salmons Tickford

Subject to a comprehensive bare-chassis restoration to original specification in 2012 by SVW Services (MG SA, VA and WA specialists)

Matching chassis and engine numbers example

Kept in tip-top mechanical order with regular maintenance

One of just 2, 738 examples of the SA manufactured (across all three

variants)

As a result of MG's sale to Morris Motors in 1935, rationalisation was the company's priority during 1935, and all new models shared as many parts as possible with other members of the burgeoning Nuffield Organisation. Launched at the 1935 Motor Show, the SA represented a new departure for MG. The first all-new model to be introduced since the company's acquisition by Morris Motors, it was considerably larger than any previous MG and caused a certain amount of consternation amongst enthusiasts who feared an abandonment of virtues embodied by the marque's nimble sports cars. They need not have worried, for although based on the Wolseley Super Six and aimed at the luxury car market, the SA received sufficient input from MG founder and designer Cecil Kimber to transform it into a car worthy of the famous octagon badge.

Originally of 2, 026cc, the overhead-valve Wolseley six had been enlarged to 2, 288cc by the time SA production commenced and was further stretched to 2322cc in 1937. With 75bhp propelling a car weighing around 1½ tons, acceleration was necessarily leisurely; nevertheless, the SA could cruise comfortably at 60-70mph and had a genuine top speed approaching 85mph. Only available as a four-door Saloon at launch, but subsequently offered a Tickford-bodied Drophead Coupé and Charlesworth-bodied Open Tourer completed the range. By the time production ceased in 1939, 2, 738 SAs of all types had left the factory.

Despatched from the MG factory bound for Salmons Tickford on the 18th of May 1937 as a rolling chassis, ‘AAJ 654’ was supplied bodied in Tickford's attractive Drophead Coupé coachwork, and was registered new on the 9th of July 1937 in Scarborough. Its known history begins in 2012, when it was subject to an extremely comprehensive bare-chassis, photo-documented restoration in as close to original specification as possible, by the renowned SA, VA and WA specialists SVW Services. It then entered into the previous ownership the following year (2013). The speedometer was zeroed upon the conclusion of the restoration and now shows just 1, 630 post-restoration miles, with less than 100 having been covered since the vendor's acquisition from H&H during 2022.

A fastidious and caring custodian, our vendor houses his not-insignificant private collection in a purpose built temperature and humidity controlled garage, and each vehicle within it is regularly maintained and detailed to ensure that it is preserved in tip-top mechanical and cosmetic order. As such, we feel that this example could still present as the finest example of its kind in existence today, and its high-quality restoration looks as if it was completed only in very recent years. Supplied with a history file that contains its current V5C, previously mentioned photobook of the restoration, numerous invoices for works since and the original chassis plate, this is a unique opportunity to acquire a rare and highly versatile pre-war classic that may just be a show-winner in the future.