Jolly jaunts in desirable MG

I had been in the Army in the Royal Signals for five years, with the opportunity to ride a wide range of motorcycles - all British then. When I was demobilised, in early 1947, I was lent my brother's Ariel Square Four 600cc motorcycle which was a delightful machine.

But I soon found that girls prefer a car to a motorbike! So I was able at the end of 1947 to acquire a very desirable MG sports car.

It was a J2 - registration number YY 5756 - built in 1933. I paid the vast sum (then) of �250 for it.

I loved it and drove it all over East Anglia, often taking my mother to Women's Institute meetings. In the photograph she is shown in the car outside our house at East Hanningfield, near Chelmsford.

I also particularly remember driving all the way in 1947 to an athletics coaching course at Loughborough in the Midlands.

Having the MG probably enabled me to become friendly with one of the female British swimmers - Margaret Wellington - preparing for the 1948 Olympic Games in London.

But all good things come to an end, and in early 1948 a piston became detached and went thought the side of the crankcase, depositing bits of the engine on the road.

Fortunately, I discovered that the engine was virtually the same as one in a Morris Minor, and was able to get one which perfectly replaced that in my MG.

I also remember that the hood was almost useless against rain.

As you see from the photograph, it was an attractive little car, and I loved it!

Michael Ranson, Mill Green, Stoke Holy Cross.

We want to share your memories of your first car. Send memories, with a picture of your first car, to andy.russell@archant.co.uk or Andy Russell, EDPFeatures, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE. Please include your address and telephone number so photographs can be returned.