In the years immediately before the Second World War, MG had sought to supplement their popular range of 'Midget' sports cars with three saloons of various sizes and engine capacities. These were the 'S', 'V' and 'W' models. The MG factory at Abingdon on Thames had grown by developing what were Morris-based products. They were to be closely associated with what was to become the Nuffield Organization (Morris, Wolseley and later Riley).

The prototype 'Y' Type was constructed in 1939 with an intended launch at the Earls Court Motor Show, the following year, however, as a result of the hostilities that lead to World War II, the public had to wait a further eight years before production started. Although the prototype of the MG 'Y' Type was primarily a Morris, much of the 'fleshing out' was completed at Abingdon. The car would feature an independent front suspension which was very much the latest technology at the time and the 'Y' Type became the first “Nuffield” product and one of the first British production cars with this feature.

Gerald Palmer was responsible for body styling and he took a Morris Eight Series E four-door bodyshell in pressed steel, added a swept tail and rear wings, also a front-end MG identity in the shape of their well-known upright grille. The MG 1 1/4 Liter Saloon would retain the traditional feature of separately mounted headlights at a time when Morris was integrating headlamps into the front wing and it was also to have a separate chassis under this pressed-steel bodywork, even though the trend in the industry was towards 'unitary construction'. The separate chassis facilitated the 'Jackall System', which consisted of four hydraulically activated rams that were clamped to the chassis, two at the front and two at the rear. The Jacks were connected to a Jackall Pump on the bulkhead that enabled the front, the back, or the entire car to be raised to facilitate a wheel change.

The power unit was a single carburetor version of the 1,250 cc engine used in the latest 'TB' Midget. This engine, the XPAG, went on to power both the 'TC' & 'TD' Midgets. The MG Y Type developed 46 bhp. at 4,800rpm, with 58.5lb ft of torque at 2,400 rpm.

The MG 'Y' Type had an extremely high standard of interior furnishing and finish, in accordance with the best British Traditions. The facing surfaces of all seats were leather, as were the door pockets. The rear of the passenger seats was made from Rexine, a form of leathercloth, which matched the leather fronts. Considerable use of wood was made in the internal trim of the 'Y' Type, where it was a major feature of the inside finish. The price of the car was £525.0.0 ex works plus purchase tax of £146.11.8d.

In 1952 MG Car Company updated the 'Y' Type and an improved model was launched, known as the 'YB'. The 'YB' had a completely new Lockheed braking system and a much more modern type of back axle. The road holding was also improved by the introduction of 15 inch wheels; the 'YA' and the 'YB’ had 16 inch wheels. The 'YB' also had an anti-roll bar fitted to the front of the car and better dampers were fitted.

When production ceased in 1953 8,336 'Y' Types had been produced, the breakdown being: 6,151 'YAs, 1,301 'YBs and 884 'Y' Tourers.

BTW, there are two Y Saloons in the British Motoring Club of Arkansas!


Editor’s Note: this article was written by Charlie Collins from Bits and Spares, the newsletter from the British Motoring Club of Arkansas.