The J Series
When the M's and C's were started to show their age, chief designer H. N. Charles
and his ubiquitous sidekick, Syd Enever, were ready with plans for the J series, which eventually included four types. Closed and open four seaters rode on the J1 chassis.
The successor to the M, and the most popular of the new cars, was the J2. It is worth noting that the J2 was the first production MG to feature cutaway doors, a slab gas tank, rear-hung spare and twin SU’s carby's.
It looked like a student TC with cycle fenders, and was a boon and a blessing to the sporting types of the early thirties. These J2’s were the first MG's to appear in the US in any notable number, thanks to the Collier brothers.
Evaluation of these cars was difficult, but one US owner described his new J2 as "...slow, heavy on petrol and oil, made far too much noise, was bitterly cold to drive and bounced all over the road. However; it broke nothing despite being belted through trials, rallies, and sprints nearly every weekend”.
Many enthusiasts forgave the J2 its sins, considering themselves fortunate in that it was available.
The J3 was basically a 745cc J2 with a Powerplus blower and a top speed around 90 mph. And althouth this was impressive for the time, it was the J4 that was the pick of the bunch.
The J4 featured many improvements, including
twelve inch brakes, a light alloy body, and a crankshaft machined from a solid billet. Some of the MG’s best victories, particularly in the UK, were by J4’s. Most noteable was the fabulous duel between Hugh Hamilton and
Nuvolari in the 1933 T.T.
Also see: MG Heritage |
MG
Performance Chart 
