Rather confusingly MG marketed both the MG 18/80 Six Mk I, featured a couple of weeks ago, and Mk II, featured today, simultaneously from 1929 to 1931.

The 18/80 Six Mk 1 was developed from the still born Morris Light Six project, with a much sturdier chassis, the first to be designed by MG rather than inherited from Morris.

Unfortunately many of the painstaking chassis details like the MG motifs set into the aluminium bulkhead brackets were lost once the bodies had been affixed.

The motor was derived from the failed Morris Light Six but featured a new all in one crank case and cylinder block casting with a separate cylinder head. The motor made use of the then new shell type big end and main bearings for smooth and quiet running.

The 60 hp 18/80 Six Mk 1 is said to have been capable of out accelerating comparable models with good racing reputations from both Lagonda and Alvis, however the performance advantage was lost on the 18/80 Mk II which was built on an even sturdier chassis with a wider track that added weight which was not made up by any improvement in engine performance.

The Mk I was £100 cheaper than the Mk II which made the latter car all the harder to sell despite it’s four speed gearbox, sturdier construction and softer springs. The 1930 model seen here is thought to be one of just 3 MK II’s known to have survived.

Thanks for joining me on this “More Strength & Softer Springs” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me for an independence day edition again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

The 1930 model seen here is one of