MG J-type

MG J2
MG J2
	1933 MG J2
Overview
Production	1932–1934; 2,083 made
Powertrain
Engine	847 cc I4
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,184 mm (86 in)

MG J1
MG J1
Overview
Production	1932–1933; 380 made
Powertrain
Engine	847 cc I4
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,184 mm (86 in)

MG J-Type
MG J-Type
	FR
Chronology
Predecessor	MG C-type, D-type and M-type Midgets
Successor	MG P-type Midget

The MG J-type is a

synchromesh gearbox. The chassis was from the D-Type with suspension by half-elliptic springs and Hartford friction shock-absorbers all round with rigid front and rear axles. The car had a wheelbase of 86 in (2,184 mm) and a track of 42 in (1,067 mm). Most cars were open two-seaters, but a closed salonette version of the J1 was also made, and some chassis were supplied to external coachbuilders. The open cars can be distinguished from the M type by having cut-away tops to the doors.^[1]

J1

The J1 was the four-seat car in the range. The engine was the 847 cc unit previously seen in the

SU carburetors giving 36 bhp. The car cost £220 in open and £225 in Salonette form.^[3]

J2

The J2, a road-going two-seater, was the commonest car in the range. Early models had cycle wings, which were replaced in 1933 by the full-length type typical of all sports MGs until the 1950s TF. The top speed of a standard car was 65 mph (105 km/h),[3] but a specially prepared one tested by The Autocar magazine reached 82 mph (132 km/h). The car cost £199.^[1]

The most serious of the J2's technical failings is that it has only a two-bearing crankshaft which may break if over-revved. The overhead camshaft is driven by a vertical shaft through bevel gears, which also forms the armature of the dynamo. Thus any oil leak from the cambox seal goes into the dynamo brushgear, presenting a fire hazard.

Rather than hydraulic brakes the car has Bowden cables to each drum. Although requiring no more pedal force than any other non-power-assisted drum brake if they are well maintained, the drums themselves are small, and even in-period it was a common modification to replace them with larger drums from later models.

Rear view

J3

MG J3

Overview
Production	1932–1933 22 made
Powertrain
Engine	746 cc SC I4
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,184 mm (86 in)^[2]

The J3 was a racing version with the engine capacity reduced to 746 cc by shortening the stroke from 83 to 73 mm^[1] and fitted with a Powerplus supercharger. The smaller engine capacity was to allow the car to compete in 750 cc class racing events. Larger brakes from the L-type were fitted.^[3]