The 'F' type MG was introduced in 1931 as
the '12/70 Magna Light Six' and replaced in 1933 by the 'L' type. It was very popular in its day -
selling faster than any other '30s six-cylinder MG model - but fell out
of fashion for many years. Its virtues are now being appreciated again
and more are appearing at car club meetings all over the world. (And
even winning awards!)
In their new factory at Abingdon, and in the hands of the enterprising Cecil
Kimber, the MG branch of the Morris 'empire' pioneered sports-car
use
of the small 6-cylinder overhead camshaft engine developed by Wolseley. It was smoother and
more powerful than the 4-cylinder version used in the 'M' type 'Midget' (and the
original Morris 'Minor'), and
was later developed for use in the renowned 'K' type and other 'small
six' MGs of the '30s. Indeed, George Eyston's special one-off 'EX135'
that went on to break so many speed records was initially referred to
as the 'Magic Magna' in the press! The Latin meaning of 'Magna' as larger
or more significant would not be lost on the well-to-do
scholars of nearby Oxford.
The ultra low chassis of the successful
racing 'C' type or 'Montlhéry
Midget' was suitably lengthened for the extra 2 cylinders of the 'F'
type. (photo) At first, it shared the
4-seater and coupé bodies of the 'D' type Midget, but was often
fitted with specialist 'bespoke' bodies (see other), and, in 1932, a 2-seater version with cutaway
doors and a slab petrol-tank was introduced. This was also fitted to
the 'J2' Midget and set the
archetypal British sports-car style for many years. The wheelbase of
the 'F' type was not only used for the successful 'K3' racer but also the 'L', 'N' and 'T' types,
setting a pattern that only ended when the last of the 'square-rigger'
MGs - the 'TF' - was replaced by the 'MGA' in 1955.
The 'F' type was a more fashionable car
than the little 'M' type Midget
and was bought by many celebrities of the day. It was not designed for
racing - its 1271cc engine capacity fell between the 1100cc and 1500cc
classes - although it did compete in some races. It was better suited
for rallies, or 'trials' as
they were known. Dick Seaman,
the Grand Prix driver, used one (F0392)
in his first international competition drive - the 1932 Alpine Trial
(see above) in which W.E.C. Watkinson gained
a coveted Glacier Cup in another 'F' type (F0347).
Norman Black
completed the Monte Carlo rally in an 'F' type (F0293),
and Kitty Brunell, the
photographer's
daughter, competed in the Scottish
Rally. Another Grand Prix driver, Prince
Bira, also owned an 'F' type (F1479)
along with other luminaries from D'Oyly
Carte (F0622) to Amy Johnson, and the Police force had at least two.
(See Famous Owners)
A product of its era with a certain Art Deco style, the 'F'
type MG is an interesting car. Despite advanced use of aluminium for
its sump and valve cover, the engine had many dated features. Indeed
the 'F' type marked a turning point, not only in MG fortunes, but in
car engineering as a whole. Even outwardly, the characteristically
period 'helmet' style wings gave way to 'motorcycle' ones and several
examples had the swept wings that would be
seen on later cars.
Many changes were introduced in a
relatively short production run - such as the larger brakes fitted to
the 'F2', as the 2-seater was
called, and the final 'F3' cars. It
seems that at least one 'F3' was fitted with a 'J1' Tourer body as presumably the stock of 'D' type
ones ran out. A couple of 'F' types were used as prototypes for the 'L' type and it has been suggested that the last
of the 'F' types were actually converted into the first of the 'L' type
production. There was probably more variety with this model than with
any other MG, and the development that took place would benefit all
later models.
The fashionable, however, soon becomes
outmoded, and although 'F' types still competed in Trials up to the
Second World War, they were no longer 'the latest thing' and seemed to
be looked down upon by those who liked to think themselves the
'cognoscenti'! Those who drove them were happy enough despite problems
maintaining the earlier 8" brakes and one example can be seen as the
vehicle of choice for two wartime airmen.
Many cars were retro-fitted with the 12"
brakes and other modifications were made to 'modernise' the appearance
or the mechanics. At least 2 cars were even fitted with independent
front suspension, and various bodies were made to fit - as diverse as
that from a scrapped Morgan to a tubular-framed Bristol racing one (F0355).
Post-war years saw 'F' types being used for
commuting and 'economy' student transport, but spares were becoming
scarce and many cars were scrapped or taken off the road to be restored
'one day'! The earlier Wolseley
Hornets provided some second-hand engine parts and those from other
MGs and even Morris Minors would be pressed into service.
The more distinctive bodies were a
liability of course, and, until fairly recently, it was difficult to
get body parts for even the Tourers. Rarer bodywork was even mistakenly
thought to be 'unoriginal' by wiseacres who knew no better, and many
unusual features were destroyed to make cars look like people's
stereotype idea of an MG!
Although there has been a recent tendency
to re-body cars with the 2-seater style so common in other models (see F2 Replicas), it is pleasing to
see that quite a few 'F' types have retained their original bodies and
they certainly do not all look the same! There is now an encouraging
trend for the more individual cars to reappear after long and
painstaking restoration projects, and
for hidden examples to see the light of day once more! [IR]
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