MG is now a household name once again, having carved out a strong market niche with its SUVs and affordable EV options. Its new Cyberster sports car has finally brought a halo model back to the brand too, proving hope that the octagon may be returning to its original ethos of fun two-seaters.
Indeed, whether it’s an early T-type or a later MGB, open sports cars are still what most enthusiasts think of when the famous brand is mentioned. And yet MG has also enjoyed major success with its sporting saloons over the years, and there have been a surprising number of them. Many have provided a least a modicum of sporting flavour, while still managing to be practical – something that’s still a tempting combination today. Even better news is that you’re unlikely to need a huge budget to afford one.
In celebration, we’re looking back at MG’s memorable line-up of post-war tin-top saloons, ranging from the YA to the MG6 Magnette. There’s been highs and lows, but all carry intrigue.
MGYA/YB
We’re looking at the post-war cars here, but saloons cars were part of the MG story from the outset. Cecil Kimber’s outfit was probably best known for open four-seaters and sporting two-seaters, but there were saloons too, beginning with a handful of uprated versions of the ‘bullnose’ Morris. The MG 18/80 of 1928 was available with a saloon body too, and come the early 1930s there were ‘salonette’ versions of the F-type Magna, plus saloon versions of the K-type Magnette and L-type Magna. The Morris merger of 1935 would then see three more saloons arrive; with the big 2.0-litre SA put on sale in 1936, the smaller 1.5-litre VA arriving in 1937 and the WA announced in 1938 – the latter even bigger and more luxurious than the SA, with a 2561cc six-pot under the bonnet. However, with World
