Vehicle Description
It�€�s Alive Automotive is pleased to offer this classic 1934 MG
PA. The PA is a very interesting and significant part of MG
history. The P series cars (PA & PB) were the last of MG�€�s
overhead cam engine powered cars until the MGA twin cam of the
1950s. Clearly, one can see the resemblance to the iconic post-war
MG TC that many casual U.S. fans may assume is where MG began.
That�€�s understandable since GIs who returned to the U.S. after
WW2 learned of the appealing nature of small, light, sports cars
during their service in England and brought a new market for these
cars home with them to North America. MG however, had a
well-deserved reputation prior to the war for its line of
affordable, good performing sporting vehicles. If you�€�re new to
pre-war MGs, then treat yourself to researching the history of this
storied marque. If you�€�re familiar with the MG pre-war line, you
know the P series represented much improvement over its
predecessors while retaining many design elements unique to pre-war
cars. For the person with a serious interest in all things MG,
owning a pre-war MG like the PA opens up a new dimension and
context to the world of early sporting cars. For example, the four
speed gearbox does not have synchromesh on any gear. To shift up or
down, you will need to master the art of double clutching and
matching rpms to the needed gear. Once learned, driving one of
these is quite satisfying knowing that it�€�s not something that
just anyone can do without some practice. The PA�€�s large 12�€�
drum brakes are mechanically operated via cables. They work
surprisingly well and pointing out the lack of a hydraulic system
to your friends is always fun. Speaking of interesting design
features, the PA�€�s generator is mounted vertically at the front
of the engine and drives off the crankshaft. The overhead cam is in
turn driven by a shaft from the generator. A water pump was
optional on the PA. Ours has none. Hot coolant rises by convection
to the top of the radiator and is cooled as it flows back down.
While the base engine can have the optional water pump added, we
have not had any problems with our example staying cool. Our PA is
a very solid example without any rust issues. It is an older
restoration and the paint is still holding up very well. Unless one
was looking for a high end concours show car, we don�€�t feel the
finish is in need of any attention. The same can be said for the
chrome work. We strive to fully disclose any known faults and there
are some things to note with this car. It is in fact a true two
seat model, more stylish and better balanced than the four seater.
However, you will notice from the photos that our car has a small
back seat. The space behind the front seats is for top storage and
at some point a prior owner, fabricated a small rear seat. Both
seats are upholstered in vinyl. We have considered removing the
rear seat and reupholstering the front seats in leather as they
should be. However, we�€�ve decided to leave that decision to the
next caretaker. The car does not have a top frame, top, or side
curtains. These cars did not have a fuel gauge but had two pickups
in the tank, one positioned lower for reserve and a dash operated
valve could switch between the two. That dash valve is missing
although the two fuel lines are present. Both trafficator arms
extend and light up but are sometimes sluggish to return home. The
car has a central lubrication system and a fitting for the right
side rear spring is missing from the system. To sum it up, it�€�s a
great little car with a few relatively minor needs (save perhaps
the top). The engine starts and runs well with strong oil pressure.
If your MG interest includes a rather rare car of which only a
couple thousand were built and likely only a few hundred still
survive, contact us for more information. "It's Alive Automotive"
is a full service restoration, service and sales facility in
Bridgeton, Missouri that opened in 2014.� While Jaguar XKEs ar
