1935→1936 MG PB
In 1935 MG updated their P-Type chassis to PB specification with a 939 cc engine. The front radiator was also changed from a honeycomb to a vertical slat design.
The Airline Coupé
Although most MG Midgets were produced with diminutive roadster bodies, some PB chassis received the somewhat rare and striking Airline Coupé design with it’s sliding roof and teardrop portholes. It was a design by Henry Allingham that was primarily executed by Carbodies of Coventry using a ash-frame and sheet steel skin. Some cars were produced by Whittingham & Mitchel. Since these cars were built to custom order, many were different in detail.
The Coupes were somewhat wider than normal and used an extension panel around the standard firewall.
The demand for a MG Coupé was somewhat small which explains entire production listed by Airline Coupè registry at just 50 cars across the PA, PB, NA, NB and TA chassis. The registry lists 27 coupes on the PA chassis, 15 on the PB chassis, 4 rebodied cars, and just 7 on the NA/NB 6-cylinder chassis. About half are accounted for today.
Story by Richard Michael Owen
In Detail
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Series Production Car |
| production years | 1935 – 1936 |
| engine | Inline-4 |
| fuel feed | Twin SU Carburetors |
| displacement | 938 cc / 57.2 in³ |
| bore | 90 mm / 3.54 in |
| stroke | 83 mm / 3.27 in |
| compression | 6.8:1 |
| power | 32.1 kw / 43 bhp @ 5500 rpm |
| specific output | 45.84 bhp per litre |
| body / frame | Steel & Wood Frame Body over Steel Frame |
| front brakes | Drums |
| rear brakes | Drums |
| f suspension | Rigid Axle w/w/Luvax Shock Absorbers, Semi Elliptic Leaf Springs |
| r suspension | Live Axle w/Luvax Shock Absorbers, Semi Elliptic Leaf Springs |
| wheelbase | 2223 mm / 87.5 in |
| transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
Auction Sales History
1936 MG NB Magnette Airline Coupé NA0848 – sold for €166,435 t has been debated that as many as 50 Airline coupés were originally built and fitted on MG’s P-, N- and T-series chassis. However, all agree that very few examples of “the prettiest MG ever” survive today, and according to the MG Airline Coupé Registry, which includes the car offered here, just four six-cylinder N-Type Airline Coupés remain in existence today. Prior to the restoration, the MG remained in highly original and complete condit… read more
Auction Source: 2010 Automobiles of London by RM Auctions
