Chassis Number: 2/6458
Engine Number: JA9404
Colour: Black
1929 MG 18-80 Two Seat & Dickey - a striking sporty vintage MG introduced at the end of the vintage period. Rare and desirable, complete with correct Jaeger chronometric speedo and rev counter and Jaeger clock
NB : It was never intended for this car to be sold - hence the incredible spares package included in the sale - but our client has purchased an incredible vintage sports car and so his beloved MG has to go to a new home...
Fabulous quality VINTAGE MG - very rare - 2 1/2-litre OHC straight six cylinder engine. Robust, high quality upmarket MG, marketed alongside the sole other model, the MG Midget
Completely restored to the highest standards by the present owner - he acquired this most original example from the previous owner as a barn-find in 2000, having been owned by the single previous owner from 1955 - some 45 years standing in unmolested condition!
What better starting point to restore, than an untouched car, just 26 years old when put away in 1955...?
SEE & HEAR THIS MG ENGINE RUNNING : https://youtu.be/wEV2eJMZWjg
SEE THE JAEGER CHRONOMETRIC REV COUNTER WORKING / CHECK OIL PRESSURE / SEE DYNAMO CHARGING : https://youtu.be/r6bkJMNHGMs
A car with a big attraction today when attempting to compare the MG 18-80 to almost any similar car make of the day - there really was nothing to compare it with - be it AC, Austin, Lagonda, Lea Francis, Riley, etc.,
The owner was intending to keep this car well into the future and had no plans to sell, acquiring many spares along the way as insurance - all spares - listed below - included in the sale...
The sole reason for the sale is that the owner has recently acquired another vintage car and so very reluctantly is offering this MG for sale - not able to justify keeping the two - prepared to the highest standard
There are circa thirty surviving Mk1 MG 18-80s. This car has had just on £9000 alone spent on the upholstery, carpets and new hood and side-screens; I can confirm that with the weather equipment in place the car is as water tight and cosy as a saloon.
The 18-80 is a very capable and confident car on the road with the torquey 2468cc Six Cylinder OHC twin SU engine. The smooth and quiet ride means it can cruise all day at 60mph making it an ideal long distance touring car. Indeed the owner has enjoyed continental holidays in company with a Speed Model example
For further information - the 1928 annoucement of the MG Six by The Autocar is published here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/history/pdf/18-80mk1_autocar.pdf
Such was the fame of aviator Amy Johnson, as illustrated here – who flew on her solo flight in her de Havilland Gipsy Moth to Australia in 1929 – Sir William Morris - later Lord Nuffield - presented Amy Johnson with a brand new 1929 MG 18-80 Mk1 Saloon. The radiator mascot is a model of her Gipsy Moth – this mascot passing through the hands of the present owner of the MG I am offering here for sale!
Work of recent interest carried out:-
New cam chain and Fabriol gear wheel fitted
New hood, side screens, upholstery and carpet (£9000). (Adjustable bench seat is absolutely correct & standard)
Re-tempered springs, new shackle pins, serviced shock absorbers
New wiring, all instrumentation serviced
Fuel gauge new sensor will be supplied
Marles steering box rebuilt
Dynamo serviced
Electronic ignition added
Correct period horn and other parts added
Hardened valves and valve seats fitted - no need for fuel additive
Radiator core flushed
Bluecol synthetic coolant to arrest internal deterioration
Gearbox bearings, prop shaft and torque tube rebuilt to include bearings
Rear axle banjo strengthened, new wheel bearings and seals, crack tested
Higher axle ratio fitted - new crownwheel and pinion - higher cruising speed
New glass to windscreen
New rev counter drive fitted
MG 18-80 SPARES INCLUDED WITH THE CAR, built up as insurance since the complete restoration :-
Head gaskets, new, two
Water manifold
Cam shaft cover
Rocker shaft plus rockers
Brake hub aluminium fins
Original chassis skirts showing body number
Bearings, shackle pins, etc, used
Pistons - Set of, good condition
Pistons, standard, new, for use with liners
Petrol tank sensor unit, unused, old stock
Valve springs plus original valves
Rear axle reinforcement tubes, new
Clutch plate centres – new
Clutch plates – new
Half shafts – new
Splined wheel hubs, 4, new – cost £1200
Water Pump and Dynamo drive assembly
Distributor drive
Crown wheel & pinions, used – matched – two sets
Brake shoes – two
Footwell toolbox lining – original
Rear axle casing - the original
Dynamo, spare – (if found!)
Distributor cap and rotor arm, correct long reach spark plugs and a number of other unused old stock bearings which are difficult to find
Dimensions
Wheelbase : 9’6”
Track : 4’0”
Weight : 24cwt 2qr
Suspension : Half-elliptic springs
Transmission : Three-speed & reverse
Engine 1
