The MG VA saw
the light of day in the year1937 as a shorter and lighter version of the
six cylinder MG SA. The MG VA was fitted with a four cylinder engine
which was also used in the Wolseley 12. The MG VA was available in three
models: open tourer, drop head coupe and saloon. The saloon looks very
much like the contemporary SS/ Jaguar 1.5 litre.
In the year 1938 MG Car Company decided to give the works trails cars,
the "Cream Crackers", more powerful engines. The engineers chose
the four cylinder MG VA engine and enlarged the cylinder capacity from
1549 cc. up to 1708 cc.. they fitted pistons of the 2622 cc. MG WA six
cylinder engine. The result was a power increase of 11 bhp. (from 52
bhp. up to 63 bhp.) and additional torque.
The modification of the works trail cars was a success; MG won the
championship.
MG founder and en director Cecil Kimber wanted the same engine to
be fitted in his own MG VA saloon. A total of six MG VA cars were fitted
with this engine by the factory including a few police cars. The MG VA
"police demonstrator" is one of these uprated cars. This MG VA
was in service of the British police during world war two.
Technical
data
Four cylinder
engine
two S.U. carburettors
cylinder capacity: 1708 cc.
capacity: 63 bhp. at 4500 rpm.
top-speed: >130 km/h. - > 81 mph.
brakes: hydraulic drum brakes all round
weight: 1085 kg.
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