Supercars.net

In the 1930’s, demand for sport coupes was rather limited. This was particularly true for MG who typically produced small roadsters such as the Midget and the successful K3 Magnette. An exception to these models was the Airline Coupè which remains as one of the most striking MGs ever made.

Built on PA, PB, TA and TB chassis, the Airline Coupès were one of Britain’s few attempts at streamlined design. This was emphasized by the cars sloping profile. For the MG, this meant attaching a new rear tub, but retained the front fenders, radiator and front cowl that balanced well with the design.

MG bodies were typically steel wrapped around a wooden frame. The Coupes used this standard practice and were built up over a complex network of ash frames. These were executed primarily at CarBodies, but a few came out of Whittingham & Mitchel. Since these cars were built to custom order, many were different in detail.

One of the most interesting features was a sliding roof that sometimes had three teardrop windows. To provide extra passenger space, the Coupes were somewhat wider than normal and used an extension panel around the standard firewall. Most cars ahd sliding windows.

The first Airline Coupès were built on the PA chassis which itself was an updated version of the J-Type Midget. The main upgrade came from its three-main-bearing engine with double SU carburettors that made the car more responsive. This small 847 cc engine was bored out to 939cc for the PB type. Later cars were built on longer 6-cylinder NA and NB chassis.

According to the Airline Coupè registry over 50 examples have been made: 27 of on PA chassis, 15 on the PB chassis, 4 rebodied cars, and just 7 on the NA/NB 6-cylinder chassis. About half are accounted for today.

Story by Richard Owen for Supercars.net