1938 MG WA

Model History: MG WA

Launched just before World War 2, the MG WA was the most luxurious car that the company had ever built. A development of the MG SA, the MG WA combined a large, four-seater leather interior with opulent wooden dash featuring MG's octagonal instruments with an enlarged, 2561cc version of Morris' QPHG engine that featured a balanced crank. A four-speed manual gearbox had synchromesh on the top three gears giving a comfortable and easy ride.

The car came in three body styles from the factory: an in-house saloon, a drophead Tickford coupe by Salmon and Sons, and a four-door drophead by Charlesworth. As was common in other models of the time, a bare chassis could also be supplied to a coachbuilder of the owner's choice; versions by Reinbolt and Christé of Switzerland, and Kellner were created. Also, for special customers, cars could be adapted from the norm by MG: noted MG racing driver and record-breaker Goldie Gardner was provided with a Tickford drophead in 1938 that had an uprated engine, twin spare wheels mounted on the running boards (rather than a single spare) and other adaptations.

It is believed that only 369 MG WA examples were built before MG ceased production to support the war effort in September 1939. Today, of the standard body types, the Tickford drophead is the most collectable, followed by the Charlesworth and then the saloon. Coachbuilt survivors are exceptionally rare, and could be worth much more that standard models, so are likely to be outside the scope of our Guide prices. Peer alternatives include the Jaguar SS100 and Derby Bentleys.