1931 MG C Type Montlhėry Midget
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| C0261 @ Brooklands Double Twelve |
Brief technical specifications…
Engine: 4 cylinder in line. Capacity: 746 cc.
Bore & Stroke: 57mm x 73mm.
Valve operation: Single overhead camshaft driven through vertical dynamo.
Carburation: Various dependent on type of head.
Power Output: Various dependent on type of head, between 37.4 bhp unsupercharged and 52.5 bhp supercharged.
Gearbox: Four speed, ENV non-synchromesh.
Brakes: Cable operated. Early cars: Front 8" drum. Rear 8". Late cars: Front 10" drum. Rear 10". Clutch: Twin dry plate.
Suspension: Semi elliptic front & rear in sliding trunnions.
Wheels: Centre lock wire spoke.
Wheelbase: 6' 9". Track: 3' 6" front and rear.
Number produced: 44
Cost new in 1931: £295.
JCC British Double-Twelve Hour Race - 8th & 9th May 1931 (Car No 66)
C0261 car was entered into the 1931 JCC British Double Twelve Hour race at Brooklands by University Motors.
Driven by Hugh Hamilton with S.V. Holbrook as the riding mechanic. The car running un-supercharged finished 3rd outright and third in class at an average speed of 63mph (101kph) including all pit stops. Montlhėry Midgets also took first and second places.
LCC Relay Grand Prix @ Brooklands - 25th July 1931 (Car No 17A)
Teams of three cars were entered in the 270 mile race, the first car had to complete ninety miles. If it failed to complete the distance the second team car could start but had to finish the first car remaining distance before completing its own ninety mile challenge. The event was one by a team of Austin Sevens at an average speed of 81.77mph (132kph). C0261 with Hammy Hamilton retired.
RAC International TT @ Ards - 25th July 1931 (Car No 51)
During 1931 Hugh ‘Hammy’ Hamilton also competed in the RAC Ulster TT at Newtonards but retired after setting a new 750cc lap record at over 70 mph (112kph) earning him the title ‘the Wild Man of Ards’. C0261 ran supercharged in this race.
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| The Ards TT Circuit |
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| The Wild Man of Ards |
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| Passing Wide |
C0261 now owned and raced by Norman Black
Norman Black campaigned the car during 1932 highlights of the season included JCC British 1000 Miles Race at Brooklands. Black and Gibson finished 3rd overall, 1st in class, winning the JCC Trophy at an average speed on 75.5mph (121kph). For this race the car ran un-supercharged. The race was won by Joan Richmond driving a Riley at a speed of 84.4mph.
RAC International TT @ Ards- 20th August 1932 (Car No 27)
From 1933 the Montlhėry Midgets run as racing cars was coming to an end replaced by it more famous stable-mates the MG K3 racing Magnettes.
Lost and forgotten C0261 resurfaced during the 1960’s and was restored to its former racing format in the 1980’s. Since then it has competed at Vintage Montlhėry, Laguna Seca, Goodwood Festival of Speed, Speed on Tweed, Mt Cootha Sprints, Geelong Sprints, Leyburn Sprints and MG Prewar Beechworth.
Some unusual features of the this 1931 Race car is the ability to adjust the brakes and Rear Suspension setting from the drivers position during the race to compensate for brake wear and fuel usage reducing the weight on the rear suspension.
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| My First View of C0261 at Festival of Speed 2007 |
C0261 in Australia
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| At Speed on Tweed |
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| Mt Cootha Sprints |
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| Motorclassica - Melbourne |
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| Geelong Sprints with K3030 |
 With a little panel work it should make a nice transporter |
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| Victorian Alps |
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