The MG VA, or MG 1.5 Litre as it was originally marketed, was produced by the MG Car company between February 1937 and September 1939 and was the smallest of the three sports saloons they produced in the late 1930s, the others being the SA and WA.The car used a tuned version of the push-rod, overhead valve four-cylinder Morris TPBG type engine that was also fitted to the Wolseley 12/48 and Morris 12. The MG version had twin SU carburettors and developed 54 bhp (40 kW) at 4500 rpm. Drive was to the live rear axle via a four-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh on the top three ratios, though on some early cars it was only on the top two speeds. Nineteen-inch wire wheels were fitted, and the 10-inch (250 mm) drum brakes were hydraulically operated using a Lockheed system. In-built hydraulic jacks were standard. The British Motor magazine tested a VA tourer which reached a top speed of just over 76 mph (122 km/h) and a 0-50 mph time of 15.8 seconds. With the windscreen folded down the top speed increased to nearly 82 mph. The factory could also supply the car as a Tickford drophead coupé or as a four-seat tourer. The saloon was priced at around GBP325, the four-seat tourer GBP280 and the Tickford coupé GBP351 all prices depending on exact specification. 564 tourers and 591 coupés were made. A very few chassis, probably only two, went to external coachbuilders. At the top of the range, however, was a drophead coupe with a Tickford body by Salmons & Sons. Originally carriage builders, Salmons were among the earliest of British companies to build motor bodies, beginning in 1898. Describing themselves as “all weather specialists,” they were among the first to specialize in cabriolets, landaulets and drophead coupes. A hallmark of Salmons was the Tickford crank-operated convertible top, which used a gear mechanism to raise and lower the roof. Conveniently operated with a crank that inserted into the side of the body, it quickly performed what would otherwise be a lengthy maneuver to erect a metal frame and fit a canvas cover over it. So popular became the Tickford top that the coachworks eventually took the name for the business, which later became a part of Aston Martin, Ltd.