Dedicated enthusiasts of early MGs have long recognized the P-Type cars as something truly special. Produced from 1934 through 1936, the PA and PB were the final models from the marque to use the celebrated overhead-cam crossflow-head inline-four Midget engine; in this sense, they represent the most refined incarnation of the old-school MG formula. In the PB, of which just 526 were produced, this engine displaced 939 cubic centimeters and produced 43 horsepower while breathing through twin SU carburetors. This powerplant was mated to a four-speed gearbox; other advanced features included Andre Hartford adjustable shock absorbers, improving the sports car’s versatility on all types of roadways. Streamlining was more art than science in its earliest days, a fact that happily led to some of the most visually appealing, nearly sculptural automotive forms ever created. This is readily apparent on the MG P-Type Airline Coupe, designed by H.W. Allingham and crafted by Carbodies of Coventry, England. Despite using the same petite 87.25-inch wheelbase as the two- and four-seat MG roadsters, the Airline Coupe boasts a dramatic, yet artfully balanced, profile, with the curves of its roofline contrasting with the classically upright MG grille. A trio of “cathedral” skylights were cut into the sliding sunroof panel, an appealing Art Deco detail, while the wind-out windshield provides additional ventilation on pleasant days. Thanks to these touches, prospective Airline Coupe buyers were tempted with luxury in a miniature package, all riding on a joyful sporting chassis. The accompanying price tag, however, was itself not exactly miniature; consequently, many shoppers sacrificed style in favor of practicality, opting to spend a comparable amount of money to get a larger car. This contributed greatly to the Airline Coupe’s rarity, even when new. Fifty-one are reported to have been built in total on a range of MG chassis, with a smaller subset of just 14 constructed on PB underpinnings. Few have survived to the present with their streamlined bodywork intact, making examples such as this extremely desirable. Atop the radiator sits the MG “Midge” mascot, a noteworthy feature originally offered as an accessory on P-Type cars that is now a cherished emblem of the MG community. A nicely restored example of a rare, and rarely seen, 1935 PB Airline Coupe would easily serve as the centerpiece of any stable with an early MG focus, and it possesses tremendous appeal for connoisseurs of streamlined and Art Deco design. Its sprightly chassis and refined overhead-cam engine promise great thrills on the open road and its elegant, shapely coachwork will undoubtedly turn heads.

The Ron Sturgeon Collection