14th Oct, 2020 13:00

Imperial War Museum Duxford

 
  Lot 73
 

1927 MG 14/40 Featherweight Fabric Sporting Saloon


Lot details

Registration No: WL3450
Chassis No: 2CS/6715
MOT: Exempt

  • "World Famous Old Speckled Hen"
  • Returned to factory specification as part of an extremely high standard restoration completed in 1999
  • Fantastic provenance as one of the oldest Abingdon built cars and an ex-Works demonstrator
  • World famous MG that Moorland Brewery named a beer after to celebrate 50 years of the marque
  • Ridden in by Brian Johnson of AC/DC fame and featured in Mike Allison’s book ‘The Magic of MG’
  • Old Speckled Hen has travled all over Europe on many adventures since its restoration. Including three trips to Luxembourgh
  • The car starts with eaze and soon settles to smooth idle

Beginning life as a 14/28 model in May 1927, ‘WL 3450’ was among a small number of sister cars that had yet to be sold when Morris Garages (or MG for short) became a limited company that September. Recalled to the Works, it was mechanically updated to 14/40 specification and is believed to be one of just three cars that were clothed with fabric Salonette coachwork by Gordon England (the enclosed body style was more expensive and considerably less popular than the open designs on offer). Serving as the Works demonstrator once completed, the four-seater’s distinctive silver and black fleck livery saw it christened ‘Speckled Hen’ (a memorable nickname which has stuck ever since).

Keen to establish a reputation as a sports car maker, MG are understood to have fitted ‘WL 3450’ with a lowered back axle for competition events. The Salonette is also documented as having been returned to Gordon England for repairs presumably so that it could present its ‘best face’ to the public. The victim of a major fire shortly before the outbreak of World War Two, ‘Speckled Hen’ survived the conflict and passed through the hands of several owners before the vendor, an acknowledged ‘flat rad’ MG specialist, discovered it in South Wales during the late 1990s.

A testament to the seller’s skills, ‘WL 3450’ remains extremely presentable twenty-one years after its ‘chassis up’ restoration. The subject of at least three articles in MG World by automotive historian Jonathan Wood, ‘Speckled Hen’ is also referenced in ex-MG employee Mike Allison’s excellent tome ‘The Magic of MG’

There can be few Vintage cars that have had a beer named after them; Moorland Brewery first concocting ‘Old Speckled Hen’ in 1979 to mark the 50th Anniversary of MG and fewer still that have led such an interesting life. An interesting car in its own right, ‘WL 3450’ has been pictured with the likes of petrolhead and AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson and is surely a ‘must buy’ for anyone compiling the ultimate MG collection!

Offered for sale with history file including various evocative period photos.

PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle will not be available to view at Imperial War Museum, Duxford.

For more information, please contact:
Mike Davis
mike.davis@handh.co.uk
07718 584217

 

All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.

You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:

               

Auction: Imperial War Museum Duxford, 14th Oct, 2020

AUCTION VENUE
Imperial War Museum
Duxford
Cambridgeshire
CB22 4QR

About Imperial War Museum  Click here to view the E-Catalogue  

AUCTION VIEWING

Tuesday 13th October 2020 from 10am to 8pm
Wednesday 14th October 2020 from 9am

BUYERS PREMIUM
12.5% (plus VAT @ 20%)

View all lots in this sale

Do you have an item to sell?

If so, contact one of our friendly specialists for your free valuation by completing the form below and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.

If you prefer to speak to humans, don't hesitate to call our office on +44 (0)1925 210035

Contact Us Today!

 

Images

Drag and drop .jpg images here to upload, or click here to select images.


Turning the Page: A New Chapter for H&H Classics
Goon, Goon, Gone: Unique Peter Sellers 1960 Bentley heads to auction
Eclectic 150-plus classic car auction helps round out H&H’s milestone 30th year celebrations
One of the UK’s best driving Aston Martin DB5s heads to auction
Mid-century sports car icons race to Buxton auction
Former front cover ‘star’ heads to auction
Classic British motorcycles shine as 230 lots head to the National Motorcycle Museum auction
Racing legend Patsy Burt's Jaguar XK120 speeds to Buxton auction
22-strong single owner classic motorcycle collection heads to auction
Norton's racing heritage set to ignite the auction stage
Rare Frazer-Nash BMW with rich racing history to be auctioned
“The Rolls-Royce” of the motorcycle world, heads to      auction
Martini inspired Porsche 911 ‘RSR’ Tribute to head under the hammer
Rare ‘Car on Two Wheels’ heads to auction for the first time in 30 years
More than 100 classics sold in H&H’s 30th anniversary sale
Stunning classics worth more than £9 million offered in 30th anniversary auction
Rare Aston Martin DB1 heads to anniversary auction from long-term ownership
Rare Bentleys to star in 30th celebration auction
H&H Classics 30th Anniversary Auction
H&H unveils details of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Classic car owners handed ULEZ lifeline
H&H Classics auction Hurricane X-75 Prototype to National Motorcycle Museum
Vintage and modern classics lead the way at latest H&H sale
H&H offers exceptional range of vehicles spanning 11 individual decades
Pavilion Gardens. Wednesday 26th July 2023
A whimsical blast from the past: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang recreation heads to auction
From Italy with love: auction showcasing the essence of Italian design and sprezzatura
250 Motorcycles & Vintage Scooters Set To Go Under The Hammer!
March of the Mods: Lambretta owned by Paul Weller heads to auction
Lawbreakers to law enforcers: historic scooters with infamous connections up for sale
Jaguar SS100 among £2¼  million worth of classics sold at the Imperial War Museum
British classics to shine at H&H Classics’ sale
Historic Guinness Collection heads to auction
Browse The Catalogue Now! 135 Classic & Performance Cars To Go Under The Hammer.
Robbie Savage’s Ferrari F430 to be sold at H&H Classics
RAC Rally winning ‘Jaguar’ to be sold at auction
Former MP’s Bentley and Facel Vega ‘garage find’ among £1.3m worth of classics hammered away by H&H
Pavilion Gardens, Buxton Auction Preview Video
Genuine ‘matching numbers’ 1967 Shelby GT500 Fastback among 89 strong classic car auction
Rare Facel Vega ‘garage find’ heads to auction
Indian 4 and Lambretta DL200
Golden opportunity to acquire famous limited edition Italjet scooter
H&H Classics commences landmark year with sale of 121 cars
‘Brand new’ Porsche 911 heading to auction after 21 years
Brooklands race winning Bentley to go under the hammer
Actor, Sir Michael Caine’s first car, heads to auction. £100,000 - £150,000
A Very Rare Survivor. A 1936 Indian Four. £50,000 - £60,000
A Car that will Unite Romantics and Cynics Alike. A 1937 Rolls-Royce 25/30 Limousine