The Venue
Bring a Trailer started off in 2007 as a weblog highlighting recent private sales of cars seen in classified ads. Its two founders struck gold, for the world is populated with millions of procrastinating car geeks who'd rather while away their days looking at car ads instead of doing chores, or jobs, or whatever. These folks flocked to Bring a Trailer.
By 2014 the site was hosting its own auction of cars and parts. It has since mushroomed to lead the multi-billion-dollar phenomenon called online auctions. Not to be left behind, several other sites, such as Hagerty, PCar Market, and even the venerable Hemmings now host auctions of cars, parts, boats, and even airplanes!
Morris Garages (1924-)
MG logo from 1927-1952
It all began at a repurposed military college in Cowley, Oxford. Bicycle and auto repair magnate William Morris purchased and refurbished the former college in 1913 and began assembling a car that he called the Morris "Oxford" from purchased parts. A wise move to buy premade parts, as this eliminated the hassle of manufacturing everything that goes into a car.
Times being what they were, inexpensive cars were needed for a population seeking wheels. Plus, the U.K. taxed the daylights out of most any car whose engine was larger than 1500cc's, necessitating small-displacement power. Thus was the born light car movement in Britain, a marketing opportunity not lost on William Morris as he introduced the Oxford (1913), also known as the "Bullnose" on account of its radiator shape. Motivated by a Continental 1018cc engine producing 10 horsepower, it was small, light, and efficient. Perfect!
1913 Morris Oxford “Bullnose” image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Morris Cars, also known as Morris Garages, flourished in the early 1920s despite a post-war recession, upgrading its product line with the two- and four-seat "Cowley" coupe, sedan, and even a van and powered by a 1500cc Hotchkiss. Using ample cash flow from burgeoning sales - capturing 28% of the U.K. market by 1923, Morris purchased suppliers (like Hotchkiss) to streamline and guarantee its supply chains.
Cecil Kimber had been the head of Morris Garage sales and repair since its inception. In 1924 he was given the go-ahead to create a sport version of the Morris. The year was 1924, and Kimber created a beaut. The name affixed to the radiator: MG.
1925 “Old Number One” that started the MG craze. image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
This car signaled the birth of the MG Midget, which took inspiration (and parts) from the 1928 Morris Minor. The MG Midget series was born in 1929, progressing from the '29 M-Type to even racier versions in the 1930s, featuring the flat-nosed J-Type and the bullnosed P-Type. they were small, light, fast, and fun. They were speedsters!
The T-Type series had been interrupted by WWII, but it resumed its surge as a very popular and affordable sports car in 1950's postwar America, a car that you could drive to the track, race it, and still drive it home afterward. T's competed on airport-converted tracks with great success by such celebrities as Steve McQueen, James Dean, and Carroll Shelby in the early 1950s. This popularity created the foothold in America that successive MG models would exploit in the ensuing years.
1953 MG TD. The TD was the last iteration of the MG T-series and was superseded in 1957 by the MG-A. image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
The car featured on Bring a Trailer evokes the flavor of past MG models that began with the M-Type. this example incorporates some of the unique features found on earlier models from those heady days of MG's in competition.
1948 MG TC made to replicate a 1930’s K3 Magnette. The front axle skirt hid the blower housing in the original. image courtesy Bring a Trailer
This particular example, which was originally a 1948 MG TC, is described as replicating the look of a 1930's K-3 Magnette, but some of the details can also be found on other MG models of that period. Body styles of these models would sometimes vary due to different coachbuilder styles and demands of the buyer.
1948 MG TC made to replicate a 1930’s K# Magnette with a speedster tail. image courtesy of Bring a Trailer
Nevertheless, this car has been made into a perfect-looking MG Special. Wouldn't you agree? My hat is off to the buyer, who got a super bargain on this MG!
You can read more details about it at this link below:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1948-mg-tc-65/?
Allard Motor Company (1945-1958)
The 1952 Allard offered at auction on Bring a Trailer is another example of an assembled (sort of) car from the U.K. that made it big in the U.S. However, the history of this particular company was short; the J-series Allards are pretty much all that American enthusiasts see when they spot one at a stateside event.
The founder of Allard Motor Car Company Ltd, Sydney Allard, began his career in motorcars as a helper and then a mechanic at F.W. Lucas Ltd. in London. Sydney's father rented a building in nearby Putney for Sydney and another mechanic to begin their repair business, which included rebuilding Ford V-8's that came in for service.
However, the two partners were soon building special trials racers in which to have fun and adventure. Between 1934 and 1939, Allard produced a dozen of these specials, nine of which still exist. They consisted of bits and bobs cobbled together and powered by a Ford flathead V-8. Small, light, fast, and very fun. Speedsters!
1937 Allard CLK5 “Special.” image courtesy Allard Owners Club
World War II interrupted their frolics at trials events and hill climbs, but after hostilities ceased in 1945, Allard produced three models, with the Model J being their sports/competition two-seat racer. As they had done in the past, Allard used parts from other companies, in this case using mostly Ford parts from their inventory as well as sourcing more parts from their contacts at Ford of England.
1949 Allard J1 fitted with saloon wings. image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Although the chassis was from an English Ford, the suspension was from a Ford, and the drivetrain was initially from a Ford, the body itself was hammered from aluminum. Successive models of J's were numbered to indicate their position in a sequence of cars that didn't differ by much as they evolved: the J1, the J2, the J2X, and the JR.
1950 Allard J2 that placed 3rd overall at Le Mans. image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
During the dozen-year life of the Allard Motor Company, about 1900 cars total were made, with a little under 200 being the J sports/competition cars. The successful examples sported either a Chrysler 354 cubic inch hemi or its nearly equivalent Cadillac 331; the side-valve Ford V-8's were relics of the 1930's and were outgunned in the engine department by these 1950's overhead-valve screamers. Ford flatheads didn't get used in the J-models!
Allards had relatively crude suspensions, and so their dynamics on the track were not unlike driving a hopped-up tractor. However, with gobs of American power placed in a lightweight British chassis, this idea produced a winning formula at hill climbs, rallies, and even road courses in the 1950's. Again, sportscar stars and wannabees flocked to British car showrooms to lay their money down on an Allard. It has been written that the Allard that Carroll Shelby competed in inspired him to later place an American powerplant (Ford) into a British sports car (AC Ace) and produce the first AC Cobra in 1962. One of the most awesome speedsters of all time!
Fancy that, eh?
Allard would try to win at Le Mans in 1952 and 1953 with their J2X/J2R models (seen above), but both times failed to finish. Images courtesy Wikimedia Commons
There were only 1900 Allards of all types made during the short life of this company, and the popularity of its rough-and-tumble J-model speedster created a mythos that exists to this day. In fact, Allards are once again being made in small numbers by a Canadian firm called - get this - Allard!
The Allard auctioned on Bring a Trailer was a 1952 J2X with a Chrysler 354.
1952 Allard J2X. image courtesy Bring a trailer
It's recorded that only 83 of this improved speed car were made, so they were rather scarce and often fetched a tidy sum when sold. However, this one didn't meet its reserve price. Too bad!
News About My Books
Classic Speedsters has been selling well. If you haven't yet purchased a copy, please use this link below to visit my website and grab one - you'll be glad you did!
If you already have a copy, I'd love to hear from you on how you like it. I get notes every now and then about my work, and it fuels my spirit to keep on writing meaningful stories. You can reach me at Editor@ClassicSpeedsters.com or comment directly in the comments section of this blog. I appreciate it!
Speaking of stories, the illustrations for Blue Bug are almost done and will soon go to my book designer to assemble. Nathan at Goosepen Press will put it all together to make what I hope to be a children’s book worthy to share with our next generation.
Blue Bug conveys an important and meaningful lesson for children about Life: I expect to be rolling it out for the upcoming holiday 2025 season. Click the link below to get information about Blue Bug.
And, when you find some time on a sunny day, shine up your buggy and
Go drive that Speedster!