Dinky Toys 23p; Gardners MG Record Car - Magic Midget; Dark Green

MG built a series of Magic Midgets before the Second World War for breaking land speed records, always going for the smaller engine records. They were generally powered by engines around 750cc, frequently supercharged. This car is EX135, It was built for Captain George Eyston in 1933, based on the supercharged K3 Magnette. It had two alternative bodyshells: one with the usual exposed wheels for racing, the other a full-width streamlined body for record-breaking. In 1935 Eyston sold it to Goldie Gardner, who then had Reid Railton re-design another bodyshell for it. I think it is the one currently on display in Gaydon Motor Museum. I live in Abingdon where the MGs were built and we have a pub called the Magic Midget in honour of these cars, although I think it has been renamed now just the Midget and tidied up a bit - it was always a bit rough....

Dinky released this car in 1939, there was a break in production in 1940 as the factory switched to war work. Production resumed in 1946 and continued to 1947. the early cars are marked 'MG Magnette' on the base, the post war cars are marked 'MG Record Car'

This Dinky was sourced in July 2020 from a private collection