23 & 23a M.G. Magic racing cars.

This discussion has been transfered from the thread 'Displays and displaying.

As an example to show how I have arranged my collection, I have selected the drawer containing my 23 Racing Cars, formed after Capt. Eyston

Walter, You write that the 23a with exhaust plus the four studs is English, can you confirm this as I think that this is a French casting. Jacques.

The picture you are showing is indeed from the French 23a, with both exhaust systems present. I have this model in my 23a drawer. The model in my 23 drawer (the third from left in the upper row, in blue) is based on the English 23a casting, but carries the 4 exhaust stubs like the 23 racing car does, not the 6-folded exhaust system of the 23a. Therefore for me it represents the Magic Midget, not the Magic Magnette. Regards Walter

Walter, Thanks form your speedy reply. I have been mistaken, I thought that your model had both the four studs and the exhaust pipes. So the second die was used already for the four cylinders ref. 23 Midget. When you have time, could you please post a large picture of this rare variation. Jacques.

For you, Jacques, I have always time. Here are the specs: First 23a Racing Car casting with round nose, drivers head, no ribs inside. 4 exhaust stubs like on the 23 Racing Car instead of 6-branch exhaust system as normaly used for 23a Racing Car. Raised number circle on left side only. Axles crimped on one side, rounded on the other. On the time line, I would place it around end of 1934 or early 1935. For me, since it represents Eyston's first record car, the MG Magic Midget, with the 4 exhaust stubs, it's a 23 Racing Car. Others say its a 23a, because it uses the 23a casting. Do you need more? Walter

Walter, Thanks for your nice words. Then is your MG the same as this one ? By the way, to complete the set, I am looking for a picture of the No. 8 Humbug. Is there any chance that some one here can provide this pictrure ? The model is probably white with blue stripes but this needs to be confirmed. Jacques.

No, Jacques, this is a French 23 Racing Car. My French 23 Racing Car is white/blue, in the front row of my drawer. For a comparison, I enclose another picture which shows the difference between the French 23 in the background, with the flatter nose, and the Englisch 23 (23a?) with the rounder nose in front. By the way: are we not violating this topic by talking so much about a specific model? I am still a beginner here at DTCA and I do not want to start my activities with a mistake. Best regards. Walter

Walter, You are quite right about been off topic, so I have transfered the discussion about the 23 & 23a here and deleted it from the thread Displays and displaying. The cream and green model above can not be French has Tootsietoys hubs have never been used at Bobigny. Unfortunately, I do not own this model and can not make a picture of the inside. Jacques.

Has to be French, Jacques. There never was a British 23 racing Car with drivers head, I believe. And the color scheme looks French too. I have a French 23a with exactly the same colors? What makes you so sure they never used Tootsie hubs at Bobigny?

Hello Walter, Nice to see you back on this forum. The racers 23 and 23a, always have Manufactured France or England inside. So easy to trace. I have some racers in my collection. Here a British 23 without pilot head and 4 stubs, smooth hubs. Has seen better days but it is a rare item. The British tradeboxes for six models have the number 23 and not 23a. Number of the box A 1002 and a separate sticker on the box indicated the racenumers on the models inside. I have two different boxes in my collection. John.

Hi John, thanks, glad to be back. Seems to be a zamac-issue, yours, from the damage done by metal fatigue. But I think I have one in my collection that beats it. You can literally see through it. Still, I like it, it really shows the effect of this disease. Best regards from Thailand Walter