1931 MG Montlhery Supercharged C-Type Midget

Keen to increase car sales, MG decided to attempt to set the Class “H” 750-cc World Speed Record at over 100 mph. A prototype racing car, called the C-Type, was prepared for the 1931 season and George Eyston promptly took the Class “H” record over 5 kms at Montlhéry in January 1931 at 103 mph. The C-Type then ran at Spa and Le Mans and was faster than a K3 on the Mille Miglia until forced to retire.

Among the C-Type’s many successes were the Irish GP, Ulster TT, German GP and the B.R.D.C. 500-mile race. Indeed, the C-Type proved to be MG’s most successful racing car with 44 examples sold. This car, CO286, was delivered new via University Motors to Robin Mere, Competition Secretary of the MG Car Club, on August 26, 1931.

Two letters from Mr. Mere, dated December 1963, detail his order: “I wanted to race, and when the C-Type was announced, I ordered two. … I never took delivery of the second car, swapping the order for a K3.” Records exist...