For Sale: 1934 MG PA/B Le Mans Team Car

Images thanks to RM Sotheby’s, by Tim Scott

This 56 horsepower MG monster was part of an all-women MG Works team at Le Mans in 1935 – and was the first team car home that year. It’s a 1934 MG PA/B Le Mans, up for sale at RM Sotheby’s’ upcoming London Sale, and it’s very, very cool.

This little MG sings. And for me, it’s about its history, which begins very early on in that of one of the world’s greatest races – the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The first all-women team had entered the 24-hour epic back in 1930, with Odette Siko and Marguerite Mareuse bringing a Bugatti Type 40 home in 7th overall.

It would be another five years, 1935, before this car, chassis PA/1711, entered the 24 Hours of Le Mans with its own all-women crew.

MG had put together a three-car team with three identical Works cars driven by three all-female teams to promote their new P-Series. Captain George Eyston, a Le Mans veteran from 1928 and ’29, would be managing the endeavour, and the women became known as “Eyston’s Dancing Daughters”. Very ’30s!

This car (#56) is one of those three entries, and was driven by Joan Richmond and Barbara Simpson. The other two cars were PA/1661 (#55), driven by Doreen Evans and Barbara Skinner and PA/1667 (#57) which was raced by Margaret Allan and Colleen Eaton.

The cars were put together at MG’s Abingdon headquarters and comprehensive documentation of the work, including a work order for each car, is preserved today.

Each was fitted with cycle-type aluminium bodywork, aluminium louvered bonnets and an aero screen to handle the high-speed Mulsanne Straight. The engines were blueprinted and featured lightened flywheel, Q-Type racing valves ad sprints, polished head and air scoop to fuel the sump.

They also received double fuel pumps, Q-Type brakes to keep the 56 horsepower in check and J-Type gearbox ratios. Their luggage space was converted to fit spare tyres and racing modifications were added like quick filler caps, racing wheels and radiator.

The team of racing ladies was carefully drafted based on their racing record and most of them had strong histories racing in club motorsport, rallies and hillclimbs. Richmond and Eaton were even imported from Australia.

When it came time to race, the three MGs were bulletproof – the only blip throughout the race, known as one of the most crushing in existence, was the #55 car needing a light bulb replaced.

The three cars finished the race consecutively in 24th, 25th and 26th from a field of 58 starters. This car was the first home amongst the team.

Sadly, the MG Racing Department was closed before the 1936 race, which would itself be cancelled. This car did continue to compete, however, now with a supercharger fitted to make a 56 horsepower, 847cc single overhead camshaft engine with single SU side-draft carburettor.

It is the only original car from the team remaining, as one has been modified and one is missing and presumed destroyed.

It has been restored since its original career and is in excellent condition and sold with comprehensive documentation. With its wonderful history it would be more than welcome at the Le Mans Classic, along with any historic event that you’d like to take part in around the world.

It will go up for sale on the 7th of September at RM Sotheby’s’ London Sale. Head to RM Sotheby’s’ official site here for more information.

Images thanks to RM Sotheby’s, by Tim Scott