Footnotes

Launched at the 1935 Motor Show, the SA represented a new departure for MG. The first all-new model to be introduced since the company's acquisition by Morris Motors, it was considerably larger than any previous MG and caused a certain amount of consternation amongst enthusiasts who feared an abandonment of virtues embodied by the marque's nimble sports cars. They need not have worried, for although based on the Wolseley Super Six and aimed at the luxury car market, the SA received sufficient input from MG founder and designer Cecil Kimber to transform it into a car worthy of the famous octagon badge.

Originally of 2,026cc, the overhead-valve Wolseley six had been enlarged to 2,288cc by the time SA production commenced, and was further stretched to 2,322cc in 1937. With 75bhp propelling a car weighing around 1½ tons, acceleration was necessarily leisurely; nevertheless, the SA could cruise comfortably at 60-70mph and had a genuine top speed approaching 85mph. A Tickford-bodied drophead coupé and Charlesworth-bodied open tourer completed the range. By the time production ceased in 1939, 2,738 SAs of all types had left the factory.

This rare MG SA Tickford drophead coupé was bought in 1981 as a restoration project from Peter Ratcliffe of marque specialists SVW Services, Hull by a Dutch watchmaker. A comprehensive no-expense-spared restoration followed and eventually, in 1989, the car was finished to concours standard. A mechanical rebuild was undertaken at the time. A photographic record and detailed list of all the restoration's expenses comes with the car together with invoices and correspondence, mainly between Peter Ratcliffe and the Dutch owner.

Four years later, the MG SA was offered for sale (in 1993) on behalf of the Dutch owner by Barry Sidery Smith, and described in his advertisement (copy on file) as in "concours condition" and "possibly the best SA Tickford in the world". The present (German) owner bought the MG that same year and imported it into Germany. Used sparingly since acquisition, but always stored and serviced it as it should be, this beautiful SA is still in excellent condition more than 30 years after its restoration, which has stood the test of time exceptionally well. Now 'of a certain age', the vendor has decided to sell this rare classic MG to its next custodian after almost three decades of ownership. The car is offered with German registration papers and TÜV, the latter valid until September 2021.