MG P type (PA PB 1934 - 1936)

the editor's over restored Pa M.G. Midgets had suffered since their introduction in 1928 with a diminutive engine further hampered by a two main bearing crankshaft with the durability of a Christmas candy cane. Evidently warranty claims and manufacturer recalls weren’t a big deal in the 1930s because it took M.G. six years to realize that a centre main bearing in their four cylinder engine might solve some major problems. The P Type was a major improvement for the Midget line and proved to be a commercial triumph just when Cecil Kimber needed it. I think that in terms of build quality and performance, they were the pick of the bunch. At last customers could enjoy their Midget in the way Kimber had originally conceived it: road, race, and rally. George Eyston took the famous “Dancing Daughters” team of six women drivers in P Types to Le Mans (cream cracker cars). In America, the Miles Collier streamlined P Type went a long ways to making M.G. a household name on this side of the Atlantic.     Wheelbase 2216 mm 87.2 in   Track front 1067 mm 42 in   rear 1067 mm 42 in   Length 3327 mm 131 in   Width 1334 mm 52.5 in   Kerb weight 737 kg 1625 lb   Type S-4 SOHC 8 valves total 2 valves per cylinder Bore × stroke 57.00mm × 83.00mm 2.24 in × 3.27 in Bore/Stroke ratio 0.69 Displacement 847 cc (51.687 cu in) Unitary capacity 211.75 cc/cylinder Compression ratio 6.10:1 Fuel system 2 SU carbs Aspiration Normal Max. output 36.5 PS (36.0 bhp) (26.8 kW) @5500 rpm Coolant Water Specific output 42.5 bhp/litre 0.7 bhp/cu in Top speed 119 km/h Power-to-weight 48.85 bhp/ton chassis Engine location Front Engine alignment in line 4 cyl Drive RWD