This car is an original matching numbers SA, rebuilt with a steel tourer body in the Charlsworth style. it has twin fuel tanks for long distance driving,a Riley 4 speed gearbox with synchromesh on second,and a lot of attention given to suspension and steering for touring.
The car has been completely rebuilt. the new body was hand built at a carrosserie near Canberra ACT. The engine was fully rebuilt meticulously prepared and tuned by a specialist in pre -war and exotic cars (Up The Creek Workshop, in Victoria)
The car starts & runs on the button’ in any way weather and drives very well indeed. It has no difficulty in keeping up with the modern cars on the Freeways & major roads, but it is in its element on minor MG roads.
It is finished in dark blue paintwork, with black mudguards. The upholstery is all new English leather. All the bright work was refreshed during restoration.
Non -standard is discretely located electric water pump( Davies Craig) which ensures the engine gets the cooling it requires even in slow traffic on hot days.
Following is a letter from the MGCC Pre War Register regarding Provenance of this car.
‘PROVENANCE’
1937 MG SA Chassis no; 1885, Eng No.QPHG2147. Six cylinder(2.322cc). 78bhp and 85 mph. Tourer body of Robinson Brothers Carrozzweria. With coachwork inspired by the English Charlesworth Tourers, the car in affectionately known as “Charlie”.
One of 23 MG SA’s imported into Australia from new, this matching numbers SA epitomises Cecil Kimber’s vision of building an elegant range if touring cars to compete internationally with marques such as Lagonda and Packard.
The car was completed on June 21st 1937 and arrived in Australia on October 29th, 1937. The car was originally recorded as Blue in colour and described by the renowned MG Distributer P & R Williams as “Out of the hard learned lessons of racing emerges this car – embodying the experience and knowledge gained on the track and road, with Luxury, Elegance and Refinement.
SA 1885 has been prepared for long distance touring and rallies, including a planned trans- American tour to retrace the steps of the 1937 Gerald Gordon 19,000 mile tour of the USA. Whilst primarily an elegant touring car, SA’s competed in contemporary rallies, including the Mille Migilia.
Only 340 MG SA’s are known to still exist on the 2738 produced between 1935 and 1939. The owner of this car brought in from Harry Hickling who has extensively campaigned SA’s in international rallied, including the Peking to Paris (twice). He built this car as his “new” long distance rally car but was seduced by the opportunity to buy a long- desired SA Tickford.
