MG Y Type

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Why should i buy one?

In production around the same time as the T Series, in essence, this rare MG is an MG TD albeit in a saloon body, meaning the family can come along for a fun ride as well. They share the same raffish MG character and are rarer yet prices handsomely undercut those of a T Series and are almost as easy to own.

What can i get?

There’s two models, the YA and later YB and, as you’d expect, the rarer YB is the better bet if you can find one. Apart from detail styling changes, it looks the same but, underneath, the car gained a front anti-roll bar, uprated suspension and better brakes making it feel T Series like to drive.

The YT dropheads are extremely rare and their values are dependent on how much you want one plus it may well be a left-hand drive US expat, although a fair number were exported to Commonwealth countries so will be right-hand drivers.

More likely, condition is the most important factor with any Y Type and a capital YA makes a better bet than an average YB. You may well find the cars modded with T Series running gear, higher gearing and so on, and they certainly make the saloon more suited to modern roads.

Compared to the T Series, the Y Type is a bargain. Even the best of the best is unlikely to exceed £15,000 although you can expect to pay double for a YT, when one comes along, that is. Average-to-good saloons cost £8-£10,000 and projects around £4000 irrespective of model.

Despite being in the shadows of the better known sports car, spares are relatively easy to obtain, especially mechanical parts which are common to the TD. Best of all, seasoned T Series experts like Andy King, Barry Walker and Barrie Carter can help along with Suffolk-based NTG Motor Services, the latter probably the best place of all for spare parts.

What are they like to drive?

Unless you hanker for the genuine sports car thrills a T Series sports, you may well find the Y Type more pleasing, thanks to its nicer interior, decked in wood and leather, providing just about enough room for four in comfort – besides, there’s always that standard steel sunroof to enjoy the best of both worlds. In its detuned saloon state, the Y-Type is decidedly leisurely and about as peppy as a Morris Minor although it’s easy to bring this unit up to full T Series sports car spec, or above, if desired.

Like the T, they feel a tad fussy on quicker roads unless the gearing is raised and some fit a Ford Type 9 five-speed gearbox as a result; it’s a worthy mod as is a taller rear axle ratio; there’s a wide choice available here. Handling is very much like its sports car relation and can be similarly suitably uprated, if desired, although you may find many cars running on cross ply tyres. The reason is pragmatism more than anything else; while radials improve grip, their profile makes it much harder for one to fit in the spare wheel recess!

Pre-war MGs sported some lovely touches and on the Y Type included selfactuated jacks and a front opening windscreen for a real wind-in-the-face feel.

What are they like to live with?

It’s MG which means superb specialist, club and spare back up and T Series experts can deal with Y Types, plus they are also very easy to work on and upgrade. QED.

We reckon

We bet you have never considered this MG before yet the more you look at a Y Type the more you realise that they have so much to offer, not least pre-war style and character twinned with surprisingly modern driving qualities. A Y Type may suit you to a T.