1938 MG VA

Professionally restored in the mid-nineties, BJB 140 comes with a wonderful history file that documents what was very much a “passion project” for its then-owner. 

Sadly, he passed away before it was completed but given we’re all romantics at heart (otherwise we’d all be driving an electric vehicle on a PCP), you’ll be delighted to hear that the work continued after his death, with the restoration companies having promised his wife that they would see the project through to the end at a reduced cost.

Now, 30 years or so later, the MG VA still presents well, albeit with a few battle scars and a few signs of aging: The seller describes it as in a presentable condition, and it only came to market because its elderly owner now finds it difficult to get in and out of. 

The seller describes his car as “presentable”, which we think might be being a bit harsh, but then don’t you wish everyone was as critical?

Because the panels themselves are very good. Straight and free of serious dents and scrapes, even stuff like the bonnet louvres have consistent gaps between them. The long cycle wings are free of dinks along their edges too, and because the bumper blades were rechromed when the car was restored, they’re still in fine fettle.

The panel alignment is also good and while the MG isn’t going to cause any sleepless nights at Audi, this is a car, you’ll recall, that first saw the light of day almost 90 years ago.

As for the red paintwork, it still has a wonderful gloss to it that’s unmarred by damage, although the seller is at pains to point out that apart from the inevitable chips and minor blemishes every car accumulates over the years, it does have some microblisters, most noticeably on the front wings.

The headlamps, with their red MG logo in the centre and very good chrome shells, take pride of place in the VA’s suite of lighting but the frosted front sidelights are also worthy of note, as are the modern indicators that have been very neatly fitted. All the lamp lenses are in good order. 

The folding roof is a little rudimentary but it, along with the door tops, is in good order with a nicely developing patina but no rips, tears, or other damage.

A red badge bar above the front bumper holds an AA badge and a powerful horn.

The 19-inch wire wheels, painted rather than chromed which is nice to see, are in good order with no more than moderate paint loss and a little light surface rust.

Overall, it still stands as a fitting testament to the man who started the restoration – and those who were determined to honour him by completing it. 

The sidewalls of some of the front and spare tyres are age-perished and will need to be replaced. The rear Dunlops look better than the front ones but given how cheap even good rubber for vintage cars is, it may be worth replacing all five given you then wouldn’t have to think about tyres for the next decade. 

As for the rest of its flaws, the slats on the imposing radiator grille are a bit wonky, although the chrome shell is very good. Sadly, some of the other chromework, such as the mirrors and windscreen frame, is tarnished and pitted and shows its age.

Other flaws are minor. The rubber seals on the rear lights have perished, the panel that sits behind the front bumper has holes drilled in it.

The MG VA’s design means the line between exterior and interior is more blurred than it would usually be, something the original designers clearly thought long and hard about because it moves seamlessly from to the other courtesy of red leather, a fine walnut dashboard, and ivory-faced Jaeger instruments with a magnificent brass inlay.

The four-spoke, leather-trimmed steering wheel has an octagonal hub, which is a nice touch, as is the engraved gearlever housing. This was clearly not built on the cheap.

Of course, in contrast to many sporting cars of the era, the VA boasts four seats, so you can take three passengers along for the ride.

The condition of the rear seat is even better than that of those in the front – and the front seats, especially the passenger’s, are very good indeed. Both front seats can be adjusted fore and aft.

Likewise, the trim on the rear quarter panels is even better than the door cards, and given the latter are excellent, you can gauge for yourself how good the rear trim is.

The carpets are vibrant and free of damage and serious wear, and an auxiliary switch panel has been fitted underneath the dashboard. 

As for flaws, the outer edge of the driver’s seat shows a little wear and loss of colour but that’s minor; we suspect the car’s been driven one-up for much of its life since being restored

Other than that, things like the gearlever, handbrake, and dashboard are starting to show their age but if you don’t mind a bit of a patina, you could relegate freshening them up for a good few years yet.

As you can see, the engine starts readily, idles well, and revs nicely. The rev counter might be a little sticky in its action, the ammeter shows a good charge and the oil pressure gauge reads well. 

The seller points out: “When idling, the engine does produce some smoke. This is believed to be due to the breather tube design, which relies on the venturi effect to draw 'blow-by' gases from the crankcase while the vehicle is in motion. Since this effect doesn’t occur when the car is stationary, some smoke is visible at idle.”

The engine bay is in a good, usable condition, and the centre-hinged bonnet gives good access – and if you want more then removing it completely wouldn’t be a big job.

There are nice touches in the engine bay too including charming Old School Champion HT caps with screw-in connectors at the distributor cap, an octagonal MG dipstick, brass instruction plates, and what looks to be evidence of fairly recent servicing. 

As for the underside, it appears to be solid and free of any obvious problems.

Showing just four previous keepers on the V5 registration document, the history file includes MoT certificates dating back to 1967, invoices dating back to 1963 (including many related to the MG’s restoration in the mid-nineties), a continuation logbook from 1965, a Motor Fuel Ration Book, and period photos of it being used and later restored.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear bar a marker for a change of colour from black to red in 1996.

The MG doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies… 

The MG VA is a very rare and desirable prewar sportscar; with just 2,407 built, its compact dimensions and tuned Morris engine make for a surprisingly sporting drive.

It’s a pretty car too, and there’s evidence aplenty of the quality of MG’s engineering at the time.

It also features on the Vintage Sports-Car Club’s Post-Vintage Thoroughbred list, so it’s eligible for VSCC events worldwide, something that opens a bewildering world of competition and social events if you’re so-minded.

And all this could be yours for between £15,000 and £20,000, which is astonishing value given the fun and frolics on offer. 

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.