1929 MG Tigress

As MG’s first production racecar, the Mark III 18/100, or Tigress model, was introduced in 1930. It was a six-cylinder car with a 2.5-litre overhead camshaft engine from the most recent Morris model. This engine was well-developed engine having a new camshaft, dry-sump lubrication, twin spark heads and many other improvements. The power was neccessary as the Tigress weighted well over 3000 lbs, partly due to the four seat bodywork needed to conform to AIACR regulations.

Unfortunately, in MG history, the Tigress has been largely overshadowed by the more reliable, smaller and cheaper MG M-Type Midget. Both cars completed at the 1930 Brooklands Double Twelve race which was, where the Tigress made its debut appearance. In the end, the Midgets completed the race for the team victory while the larger, more dramatic Tigress models retired with engine failure. Due to the results at Brooklands and its expensive price, only five Tigress models were completed.

Beyond the Tigress, and there roadgoing counterparts, the 18/80s, MG moved towards development of smaller racecars such as the M-Type Midget and C-Type.

In Detail

submitted by	Richard Owen
engine	Inline-4
position	Front Longitudinal
aspiration	Powerplus Supercharger
valvetrain	OHC
displacement	2468 cc / 150.6 in³
bore	69 mm / 2.72 in
stroke	110 mm / 4.33 in
power	71.6 kw / 96 bhp @ 4300 rpm
specific output	38.9 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	70.54 bhp per tonne
front brakes	Drums
f brake size	x 203 mm / x 8 in
rear brakes	Drums
r brake size	x 203 mm / x 8 in
f suspension	Rigid Axle w/Half-Elliptic Springs
r suspension	Live Axle w/Half-Elliptic Springs
curb weight	1361 kg / 3000 lbs
wheelbase	2896 mm / 114 in
front track	1321 mm / 52 in
rear track	1321 mm / 52 in
transmission	4-Speed Manual
gear ratios	:1