1937 MG VA Tourer

The MG VA, also known as the MG 1.5 Litre, was manufactured for just over two years, from 1937 through 1939. During that period, only 2,407 examples were made in three body styles: a four-door saloon; a drophead coupe; and the four-seater tourer, as presented here. The MG VA was the smallest of the sports saloons built in the late 1930s employing the push-rod, overhead valve, four-cylinder Morris TP BG motor, which could produce 54 hp.

This example is a rare open four-seater tourer, the sportiest MG VA body, with its dashing low-slung doors. Although early provenance is undocumented, it appears that the MG was in the UK for some time where it was fully restored with the engine rebuilt. Later on, the MG VA Tourer was imported to the US. It was purchased by its current owner in early 2013 from a Californian collector, with less than 400 miles on the engine rebuild. Upon receiving the MG, the new owner had it examined by Martin Hveem, the reputable auto restoration expert in Red Bluff, California, who apparently reported that it was one of the finest examples of a MG VA he had ever encountered. Confirmed with a compression test, the car was deemed to be in fine mechanical health.

The MG is in fine cosmetic shape with high- quality rich burgundy paint over a well-prepared body. The chrome, lights, and glass are all in good condition, and the interior is beautifully preserved with lightly mellowed coordinating burgundy leather upholstery. The high-quality wool carpeting is in superb condition, and the handsome wooden dashboard houses expertly restored instruments. The engine compartment has been fully refurbished with all surfaces refinished and detailed right down to the decal on the brake-fluid reservoir, which has been painstakingly and accurately reproduced. The undercarriage is fully detailed and the car sits upon period Dunlop bias-ply tires.

The current caretaker has kept this lovely MG VA in a climate-controlled storage facility in Texas and has only driven it to local shows and Cars and Coffee events to maintain the MG in road-ready form. It is accompanied by full weather equipment, including side curtains, which are like new.

This gorgeous four-seater MG VA Tourer is a superb example of the marque. It handles well on the open road and presents beautifully for events or rallies, making it the perfect addition to any British-themed classic car collection.