1937 | MG VA

This beautifully restored MG VA Four Seat Tourer was first registered on the 17th September 1937 and still retains its original registration mark GMX 164. The MG comes with an impressive history that includes lots of very old photos and a host of original ‘buff’ logbooks confirming early owners from 1941 when it was in the hands of a Salisbury based RAF officer who later became a Consultant Surgeon. Various information relating to its early owner, along with photos of him with the MG during WWII are present in the history file. In 1945 the MG headed north to Carlisle but soon returned south and was in the London Borough of Chelsea and Kensington by 1947. From 1956 to 1988 GMX 164 was with one owner in Devon, and we have a photo of the car being driven up the Brooklands test hill in 1988 prior to selling to its next owner after 32 years of ownership. In 1988 the VA sold to a gentleman in Belgium and the car was used overseas before returning to the UK in 1992. GMX 164 was then subject of a long term body off restoration by Richard Skinner of North Oxford Garage, a BMW agent. The MG was rebuilt from the ground up, completely overhauled, a new body tub was supplied by SVW and the car painted its original colour. The rebuild was finished off with a full re-trim and full weather equipment and was finally completed during the early 2000’s. Photos showing various stages of the rebuild are in the cars history file.

Having been in the same ownership since 1992, in 2012 the MG was sold and in the eight years to 2020 was used for shows and rallies and picked up plenty of awards. The VA entered Concours d 'Elegance events and picked up 1st class honours such as ‘Best in Show' at Cowley Classic Car Show and even made an appearance in the local newspaper. From the recorded mileage on the speedometer it would appear the MG has covered around 2500 miles since restoration and we can confirm on the road the car performs superbly, the engine is smooth and quiet with a brisk performance and excellent oil pressure. It would appear the original cylinder block was beyond repair at some stage so it has been fitted with a TPBM block of the correct capacity from the Morris 12/4. This was then built up with MG ancillaries. All VA engines were derivatives of the 1548cc Morris unit and this has the advantage of the later type dry clutch. The gearbox is a delight to use, and there is no doubt these larger, comfortable open top MG's are very well suited to continental and longer distance touring. The VA cruises incredibly well and was found to achieve 81mph with the screen folded flat when road tested b ‘The Light Car' Magazine who enthused over the impressive specification and performance.

We first came to know this MG VA during the summer of 2023 when we sold it on behalf of its owner in Sussex. We collected the car, prepared it in our workshop with a full service before selling the car to one of our long term regular customers in Norfolk. During its time in Norfolk the MG has proven totally reliable and faultless on the road and returns to us in delightful condition throughout. When we first acquired the car it was the first MG VA we had offered onto the market in over 30 years as a classic car retailer just showing how scarce these cars can be. It is a beautifully presented car with a very sporty presence on the road and the lovely art deco style dash so evocative of the 1930's. All these years on since restoration the MG still looks ready for shows and events. Having essentially been a show car between 2012 and 2020, the MG was superbly detailed and kept since restoration, and its most recent owners have ensured the car has remained at this high standard. The bodywork, paint finish, brightwork and upholstery are all wonderful, and inspecting the underside reveals a stunning, clean painted chassis in excellent order. The MG VA is a truly stunning motor car, and this example will not disappoint and has the added provenance of a superbly well documented history over the last 80 plus years.