In 1928 MG moved away from it’s original remit of giving Morris Bullnose products wider appeal which culminated in the MG 14/40 and started to manufacture it’s own chassis and engine blocks.

The new 18/80 model featured both a unique MG chassis and engine block both of which had been developed from lessons learned from a Morris Light Six Saloon that never went into production. The new distinctive radiator design would be maintained all the way through to the T Series.

The 18/80 also featured unique to MG front and rear axles with Rudge Whitworth centre lock wheels an either tourer or saloon body styles.

The twin carburetor six cylinder motor featured a four bearing crankshaft with a Duplex chain, see behind the radiator on the right, which drives the camshaft, distributor, water pump, oil pump and dynamo. The MG 80 hp rated six gave the 18/80 enough power to reach 100 mph. The motor seen here has been upgraded with a MK III cylinder head and ignition and drives through a Rover SD1 clutch in place of the original cork in oil unit.

The 1929 chassis of the vehicle featured today was originally built as a prototype for the MK II saloon in 1929 however by the early 80’s the body was in such a poor state that it was replaced with a Mk III 18/100 ‘Tigress’ style body. Note the unique silver plated steering wheel boss from the original Mk II Prototype has been retained, but the dash and instrumentation are from a Mk III Tigress.

As a result of underwhelming track performance, only five ready to race Mk III ‘Tigress’ vehicles, styled after the contemporary Bentley competion models, were built in period.

Thanks for joining me on this “Silver Plated Steering Wheel Boss” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be featuring a Techno DAF. Don’t forget to come back now !