View source for MG SA

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox automobile
| image = MG SA 1936 - front.jpg
| caption = 2.3-litre six-cylinder 4-door 4-seater sports saloon
| name = MG SA
| manufacturer = [[MG (car)|MG]] ([[Morris Motors|Morris]])
| production = 1936–1939
| predecessor = [[MG KN]] saloon
| successor = [[MG WA]]
| class =
| body_style = 4 door saloon<br>4 seat tourer<br>drophead coupé
| engine = {{cvt|2288|cc|abbr=on}} or {{cvt|2322|cc|abbr=on}} [[Straight-6]]
| weight =
| wheelbase = {{cvt|123|in|abbr=on}}
| length = {{cvt|193|in|abbr=on}}
| width = {{cvt|66.5|in|abbr=on}}
}}
The '''MG SA''' or '''MG 2-litre''' is a sporting saloon that was produced by [[MG (car)|MG]] from 1936 to 1939. Launched as the 2-litre, it only later became known as the SA, the car had been originally planned as an advanced performance saloon to rival the likes of [[SS Cars Ltd|SS Cars]] (later to be known as Jaguar) and even [[Bentley]] with all [[independent suspension]] and was given the factory code of EX150 and designated the S-type. A prototype was made but with the amalgamation of MG with [[Morris Motors]] in 1935, development stopped. The Cowley drawing office picked up the project again but a much more conservative car appeared with conventional live rear and beam front axles.
The car used a tuned version of the six-cylinder {{cvt|2062|cc|abbr=on}} Morris QPHG engine which it shared with the [[Wolseley Motors|Wolseley]] Super Six but enlarged to {{cvt|2288|cc|abbr=on}}. The capacity was increased again to {{cvt|2322|cc|abbr=on}} in 1937 bringing it into line with the Wolseley 18. This was a tall engine and to allow the bonnet line to be as low as possible the twin [[SU carburetor|SU]] carburettors had their dashpots mounted horizontally. Drive was to the live rear axle via a four-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]] gearbox with [[synchromesh]] on the top two ratios (on all but a few early models). [[Wire wheels#On automobiles|Wire wheels]] were fitted and the [[drum brake]]s were hydraulically operated using a [[Automotive Products|Lockheed]] system. A built in Jackall jacking system was fitted to the chassis.
The saloon body, the only option available at the time of the car's launch, was made in-house by Morris and was a spacious four door with traditional MG grille flanked by two large [[Chrome plating|chrome plated]] headlights. The spare wheel was carried on the boot lid. Inside there were individual seats in front and a [[bench seat]] at the rear, all with leather covering. Much use was made of walnut for the dashboard and other trim items. A Philco radio was offered as an optional extra for 18&nbsp;[[Guinea (British coin)|Guineas]] (GBP18.90).
== Wider range of body styles ==
From April 1936, a [[Tickford]] drophead coupé by [[Salmons and Son|Salmons]] joined the range priced at GBP398, the saloon was GBP375, and in July, coachbuilders [[Charlesworth Bodies|Charlesworth]] offered a four-door tourer at GBP375. The tourer originally had straight topped doors but these were replaced with front ones with cutaway tops from 1938 and at the same time the spare wheel moved to the front wing.{{fact|date=April 2021}}
Of the 2739 cars made, 350 were exported with Germany proving the best market. At the 1938 [[British International Motor Show|London Motor show]], alongside an SA there was a new 2.6-litre car, the [[MG WA|WA]]. This was probably designed to be a replacement but both cars ran in parallel until the outbreak of war in 1939 caused production of both to cease. Neither was re-introduced in 1945.{{fact|date=April 2021}}
==Gallery==
<gallery>
1938 MG SA - fvr2.jpg|Standard<br>4-door sports saloon 1938
MG SA 1936 - rear.jpg|
MG SA Charlesworth 1936 vr.JPG|Charlesworth<br>4-door tourer 1936
1938 MG SA Tickford Drop Head Coupe.jpg|Tickford<br>drop-head coupé 1938
</gallery>
<gallery>
1938 MG SA - detail2.jpg
1938 MG SA - detail4.jpg
1938 MG SA - detail3.jpg
1938 MG SA - seatsR.jpg
</gallery>
==Culture==
In the Alfred Hitchcock movie "[[Rebecca (novel)#Film|Rebecca]]" (1940) a 1937 MG SA Tourer Charlesworth<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://imcdb.org/vehicle_62913-MG-SA-Tourer-Charlesworth-SA1407-1937.html|title = MG SA Tourer Charlesworth in "Rebecca"}}</ref> is driven by "Maxim" de Winter ([[Laurence Olivier]]), in South of France/Monte Carlo, on his first arrival with (the Second) Mrs. de Winter ([[Joan Fontaine]]) to Manderley (the de Winter estate), and on his ride from the coroner's inquest to London and Manderley.{{fact|date=April 2021}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{commons category|MG SA}}
* Abingdon's Jaguar Beater. Jonathan Wood. The Automobile. November 2006. ISSN 0955-1328
* MG Sportscars. Malcolm Green. CLB International. 1997 {{ISBN|1-85833-606-6}}
[[Category:MG vehicles|SA]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1936]]
[[Category:Sedans]]
[[Category:Coupés]]
[[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]]