M Type 1524

 Midgets / / 662 views

Current owner:  Keith Elwell-Gavins, Queensland

MMM No: 2390

Information:  Built at Abingdon on 22/4/30 for export to Australia sans body to minimise customs duty.

History:

The MMM Register advise that the chassis file for 1524 has been lost, however the chassis ledger shows that it was built for export on 22 April 1930.  No body style was recorded indicating that it was shipped in rolling chassis form.

On arrival it was fitted with a locally made body in aluminium over a wood frame and one door. Factory bodies at this time were painted fabric over a wood frame with two doors.

The earliest known record is on the 27th October 1934, Andrew Basil Gillespie competed in the RACQ Hillclimb at Clear Mountain in this M.G. Midget – perhaps the first M.G. Midget in competition in Qld !

Andrew was a Bank Officer who went on to become a Committee Member of the RACQ in the late 1930s. “Midge” was reunited with Andrew Gillespie’s son, Robert who kindly supplied photos of the car in the 1930s, and some medals won with this car.

Records found indicate “Midge” was registered for road use until 1957.  It was re-discovered at Bulimba in 1995 under the former home of Henry (Harry) Fletcher, who had dismantled the car many years earlier, but had passed away in 1986 without starting the restoration.  It was acquired from the Fletcher estate by Brian Jeffrey in 1996, who subsequently sold it almost immediately to Alan Robinson, Queensland.

Alan commenced the restoration and assembly of the M-Type, which required several return trips to the Fletcher home to find “missing parts”. It was returned to the road in January 1999.

“Midge” was acquired by Tony & Debbie Slattery in 2014, and given the registration of QMG30.

Keith Elwell-Gavins became the custodian in 2024 and with new enthusiasm has begun to make minor refinements including refitting the side mounted spare wheel.

  • Listing ID: 2475
  • Midget: M Type
  • Chassis Number: 1524
  • Year of Production: 1930
  • Previous Owners: Andrew Basil Gillespie, 30s.
    Henry (Harry) Fletcher 50s.
    Brian Jeffery 1996.
    Alan Robinson 1996-2014.
    Tony Slattery '14-24
  • Current Owner: Keith Elwell-Gavins
  • Original Engine Number: MG 1271A
  • Current Engine Number: 11681A
  • Date Acquired: 2024
  • Current Reg: QMG 30 Qld
Contact details

Queensland,Australia,All Locations