The majestic WA saloon was developed from the SA and VA models that were introduced in late1935 to the amazement of the traditional MG sports car customers, for these elegant touring cars were certainly very different from Abingdon’s original product. The 1938 Motor Show saw the announcement of the WA, which was to be the largest saloon built at Abingdon. The WA shared the same sweeping lines as the SA and VA but the interior was to be even more luxuriously appointed. By the end of the year the 2.6 litre was in production and there were three models available; a saloon at £442, a Tickford drophead coupe at £468 and a Charlesworth tourer at £450. Only about nine of the tourers were made, as Charlesworth ceased building car bodies in early 1939.

  Top of the range
The WA or 2.6 litre was surely the most luxurious MG ever made. Its chassis was similar to the that of the SA – having the same wheelbase and the same front track – although the rear track was increased by more than three inches and the brake-drum diameter was increased from twelve inches to fourteen inches. For extra braking safety, Kimber insisted that the Lockheed system should incorporate a duel master cylinder. The straight six cylinder engine was derived from the SA unit and had the same stroke but the bore went up 73mm, giving a capacity of 2561cc and the compression ratio was considerably increased. The power output went up by almost 20 bhp – but the extra power was badly needed as the chassis weight had also increased by 300 lb. Another useful addition was an extra or secondary bulkhead of steel faced plywood this was in response to criticism that the SA saloon had a tendency to cook passengers through excess heat from its engine and transmission there was also a benefit in the reduction of intrusive engine noise.

Massive 14 inch brake drums provide effective stopping power for the 24.25 cwts of MG WA

MG Car Company chassis plate

  Interior /Exterior
The trim specification of the WA is extremely high, the build quality and extensive use of wood and leather gives the feel and the atmosphere of the most expensive contemporary cars available. The bucket front seats are very well shaped, supportive and very comfortable. The cushions feel inflatable and seem to provide extra insulation from undulations in the road surface. The doors are also trimmed in leather with pouch map pockets and very neat adjustable padded elbow rests. Rear seat passengers are also comfortablely seated in very well shaped seats complete with arm rests and pull out ashtrays. The octagonal theme is repeated by the surrounds on the extensive instrument panel and also in other detail touches, such as the oil filler cap. Even the chrome window winders are set on a irregular octagonal wooden plith. Door pulls are silk cord and interior door handles are chrome with an MG logo insert. The massive four spoke steering wheel has the octagonal MG logo in its centre as well as an octagonal shaped boss. MG logos appear throughout the interior and also under the bonnet. Thick carpeting edged with leather binding completes the luxurious feel of the interior. From the driving seat the massive steering wheel is well placed and the gear lever and handbrake fall easily to hand. This MG is big and although one sits high, as you look down the huge bonnet your view of the nearside front wing is eclipsed by side mounted spare wheel complete with its strap on rear view mirror. The handsome radiator cap mascot provides an excellent sighting device as you navigate this great leviathan of an MG.

  With the hood in place rear vision is restricted by the letterbox back window but side vision is good as the wide doors have large wind down windows. Once the hood is lowered it seems easier to judge the proportions of the car but reversing still requires considerable care and judging clearances is a tricky business. There is no doubt that this car was carefully put together by craftsmen of Abingdon and the coachbuilders of Tickford’s, this was indeed a serious attempt to capture the luxury car market, every part of the body fits together perfectly. All the fittings seem to be built to engineering specification, the thickly chromed windscreen frame can be opened for extra ventilation and the three position folding hood is extremely well constructed. Only the door hinges and boot hinges seem somewhat cumbersome and stand out against the flowing lines of the body, although they have to be strong as doors and bootlid are incredibly solid and heavy. The heafty boot lid opens to reveal a somewhat restricted luggage area for what must be an otherwise ideal touring car, perhaps the bags were sent on ahead in those pre war days of wealth and elegance.

Thickly padded leather seats featured comfortable squabs and supportive backs	Boot incorporates tool tray complete with recesses for built in tools
Tickford hood can be used in fully open, closed or folded back to expose the front seats only	Spare wheel mounted on nearside wing

Feature car
The WA featured was part of the collection of the late John Shute, a great admirer of MG and champion of the marque. At one point his stable housed eleven “real MGs” his words, as well as a 6R4 and an MGB. Most of the cars were pre war saloon types, his favourites being the six cylinder SA Tickford and VA Tickford. John believed that although valuable, his collection of MGs should be driven, seen and appreciated, he took great delight in getting them out onto the high road regardless of their value or bad weather. The MGOC is pleased to report that this handsome WA is currently on display at the MGOC headquarters at Swavesey by kind permission of John’s wife Yvonne.

  Performance
No accurate performance figures are available for the WA because Abingdon decided not to submit any more of their cars for comparative road tests having suffered from poor reviews: “These journals….only take into consideration what a car will do, and not how it does it.’ The few contemporary ‘road impressions’ available make it clear that the WA offered the same sort of performance as the smaller SA and VA. Acceleration was rather disappointing by sports car standards, but the WA was able to reach a surprisingly high maximum speed and also had the ability to maintain high cruising speeds at fairly low engine rpm. Recent road tests confirm that the big MG has good roadholding, precise steering and brakes that are well able to cope with the considerable weight of the car. The engine is rugged with considerable low down torque and at 50 mph the WA is cruising well below its maximum of 90 mph. The 2.6 litre WA was a high quality touring carriage by any standards and most luxuriously fitted out in every detail. Despite the impressive looks and high specification of the MG WA the outbreak of the second world war finally killed off the model.

Everything is built to a very high specification, note the solid bumpers, boot hinges and reversing light

Massive chrome headlamps and chromed windtone horns

Handsome radiator mascot

Straight six 2561cc engine has firing order cast into the alloy rocker cover

Full four seat accommodation in sumptuous leather trimmed cockpit