mg ta arx

[tonygoodall]

Hi David You are right in thinking that ARX saw a local registration, it is (or was) an Abingdon number. Whether that meant it was a demonstrator I have no means of knowing. I do know that ARX 301 was owned by an officer in the RAF just after (and therefore probably during) the war and he seems to have been based in the Oxford area. The car you refer to, ARX 440 appears in Mike Allison's book The Magic of MG so I suspect this may be a press release photo. I see that 440 has wide rear wings whereas 301 (chassis no 1001) had the earlier narrow wings, so the change was effected between these two numbers,(somewhere around chassis no 1250 according to Anders Clausager). I wonder, therefore, whether 440 was used to demonstrate the 'new' TA. ARX 301 was in fact registered in 1937 but I can't remember which month, (I sold it around 1981) I hope that ARX 440 will see the light of day again soon Regards Tony

[The Vernon Family]

I always thought cars in Britain were registered and stayed that way but it would appear ARX440 was a 'Garage plate' as in the book MG Sports Cars, reprints from the Autocar magazine, a photo on page 104 shows a 1 1/2 saloon carrying this number. The date of the original publication was September, 8th 1939. On the same page is the TB priced at GBP 225. Clem

[David Whittle]

Clem There is not, and never has been, any such thing as a 'Garage Plate' in the UK. I think you are refereeing to Trade Plates, these are to enable motor traders to drive/deliver/move cars that have either no vehicle tax or are not yet registered. They are pretty different to normal plates and stick out like sore thumbs. MG TA ARX 440 was, as far as I can find out, the factory demonstrator/press car of the 1937 TA (These plates first appeared on 1937 TA road test car) with the narrow tank and wide wings. I presume after this it was then either a factory hack or was sold to someone at the factory who was involved in the MG photographic area. They would then pull any relevant MG off the line stick ARX 440 plates on it, take it down to the Pub at Sutton Courtney and take some Photos. ARX 440 can be seen on a TB tickford (some one out there must have this picture) and a VA saloon to my knowledge and may well appear on many other pre-war MG cars. The reason they illegally used the plate ARX 440 was probably because trade plates can be spotted at once and look false, the reason they choose ARX 440 was probably because they new it was already a company car or belonged to one of the press guys so would not alarm any one else. My Father has a TA which came with the registration plates ARX 440 and I think it is the road test car and the TA that this plate belongs to. When ever I say this the so called experts all recoil in horror, presumably because they think I'm trying to pull a fast one, and claim to have something that I don't have. Anyway until I can get to the car and find it's chassis and engine number there is little I can do. I have however liaised with Malcomb Green on the matter as he has published pictures of the car in one of his books, he has been of some use and not scuttled off muttering like most of others. If it is the road test car then it can claim to have been tested at Brooklands in 1937 and reached nearly 80mph with the screen down on that famous track! One day she will ride over what is left of that banked track again, but this time much slower!!

>>> "The Vernon Family" vernons@ibex.co.za> 24/04/01 13:57:43 >>>

I always thought cars in Britain were registered and stayed that way but it would appear ARX440 was a 'Garage plate' as in the book MG Sports Cars, reprints from the Autocar magazine, a photo on page 104 shows a 1 1/2 saloon carrying this number. The date of the original publication was September, 8th 1939. On the same page is the TB priced at GBP 225. Clem Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ R egards David Whittle Oxon UK *********************************************************************** This transmission contains information which may be confidential and which may also be privileged. It is intended for the named addressee only. Unless you are the named addressee, or authorised to receive it on behalf of the addressee you may not copy or use it, or disclose it to anyone else. If you have received this transmission in error please contact the sender. Thank you for your cooperation. *********************************************************************** For more information about AEA Technology please visit our website at http://www.aeat.co.uk AEA Technology plc registered office 329 Harwell, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0QJ. Registered in England and Wales, number 3095862.