News & Features July 5, 2007, 2:40PM EST

Record-Setting MG

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The most numerous and best known of the Airline coupes were those built on MG platforms. An estimated 51 were built as PA-, PB-, NA-, NB- and TA-type cars. While undoubtedly attractive, they were also hot and somewhat claustrophobic, and when the Tickford three-position drop head coupe body was introduced, the Airline was dropped.

The MG Airline bodies were made of a mixture of steel and aluminum, which varied from car to car. The small cabin was made more habitable by the cathedral-windowed sunroof, which let some light in. A nod to upmarket luxury was the walnut dashboard and nicely shaped "pneumatic" leather seats. With a four-spoke Bluemels Brooklands steering wheel fitted, the Bentley manqué look is complete. A Wolseley-designed 4-speed crash box puts the power from the 6-cylinder engine to the rear wheels, and the streamlined body -- said to have been styled with input from wind tunnel research -- allows the maximum speed of over 80 mph, a good figure for the period with the available power.

One might hesitate to use that top speed, as the 12-inch cable brakes might not be up to the challenge of stopping the car in a decent distance. The majority of these Airline coupes were the smaller 4-cylinder model, so the 6-cylinder car is naturally much rarer (although not the "only known... in existence") and certainly commands a terrific premium.

Estimate was aggressive, result remarkable

Thought to be the only Airline built on the NB chassis and the subject of a very high level restoration, the estimate of $200,000 to $250,000 was aggressive nonetheless. The nearly $400,000 realized for this car has to be regarded as extraordinary. The $298,643 for the 1934 NE Magnette ex-Works Ulster racer at Christie's Silverstone, U.K., sale in July 1986 was the previous high for the marque at auction in the SCM Gold database.

Gene Ponder, the seller of the car, is a well-known MG enthusiast who has owned several other Airline coupes. Seventeen MGs were offered from his collection at the sale, and this was acknowledged as the crown jewel. Ponder's cars are all prepared to a meticulous standard. However, he also doesn't mind commissioning "recreations" of rare cars to fill out his collection, and several of the rare MGs sold were replicas.

There is no doubt that the Airline was the genuine article, as it is listed in the MG Airline Coupe Registry, pictured in its pre-restoration dark green over green livery. For beauty, condition and rarity, it's hard to challenge this NB Magnette Airline coupe. It stands as the new market high point for the marque, and as such may be quite unrepeatable for some time.

Years Produced: 1934-36
Number Produced: 7 (N-type Airline Coupes)
SCM Valuation: $37,000 $52,000 (NB Magnette roadsters & P-series) (at time of print)
Tune-up Cost: $600
Distributor Caps: $100
Chassis #: NA0848
Chassis # Location: Brass tag on left firewall
Engine # Location: Brass tag on left side of valve cover
Club Info: The North American MMM Register, Lew Palmer, 16780 St. Mary's Drive, St. Mary's Point, MN 55043 USA
Web Site: http://www.nammmr.com
Alternatives: 1935 Fiat 508 CS MM, 1935 Riley Imp
Investment Grade: B