MG Y Type

1947–1953 · 8,336 built · the saloon that built the TD

A small MG saloon whose front suspension and steering went straight into the TD and TF.

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About the MG Y Type

The Y Type matters far beyond its production numbers. Its Issigonis coil-spring independent front suspension, its rack-and-pinion steering and its chassis side members were carried into the TD, and through the TD into the TF. If you are working on the front end of a TD or TF, this is where the design came from. The saloon itself runs the 1,250cc XPAG on a single SU, 46bhp, with Lockheed hydraulic 9in brakes. Around 6,150 YA saloons were built, then 1,301 YBs, and about 900 of the export-only YT tourer.

YA to YB is a real mechanical change, not a facelift. The first YB is YB0251, 21 November 1951. Wheels went from 5.00 × 16 to 5.50 × 15. The rear axle changed from a Morris banjo with spiral bevel to a Nuffield split casing with hypoid gears, and the Panhard rod was deleted. An anti-roll bar was added at the front with a lowered bottom wishbone, and the rear dampers went heavy-duty. The front brakes went to twin leading shoes with two cylinders a side — but from car number 286, not from the start of YB production, so the first thirty-five YBs are a transitional group and a trap for a front brake order. The YT tourer sits on the YA chassis, so it is a YA parts car underneath, but it has the twin-carburettor TC-specification engine at 54bhp, a tachometer and no woodwork.

MG Y Type — specification & changes within the model

YA saloon: 1947–1951, around 6,150 built. 1,250cc XPAG, single SU, 46bhp @ 4800rpm.
YB saloon: From YB0251, 21 November 1951, to 1953. 1,301 built. Same engine.
YT tourer: 1948–1950, around 900 built, export only. Twin-carburettor TC-specification XPAG, 54bhp, tachometer, double scuttle dash, coach-built doors, no woodwork. Sits on the YA chassis — spiral bevel axle, 16in wheels, single leading shoe front brakes.
Wheels: YA 5.00 × 16 · YB 5.50 × 15.
Rear axle: YA: Morris banjo, spiral bevel, 5.143:1, with a Panhard rod. YB: Nuffield split casing, hypoid, 5.125:1, Panhard rod deleted.
Front brakes: Lockheed hydraulic 9in throughout. YA single leading shoe. YB twin leading shoe with two cylinders a side — but only from car 286, so the first 35 YBs are transitional. Check before ordering.
Rear brakes: YA removable drums · YB one-piece five-stud drum and hub.
Front suspension: YB adds an anti-roll bar and a lowered bottom wishbone, and heavy-duty rear dampers.
What it gave the T-Series: Coil-spring independent front suspension, rack-and-pinion steering and the chassis side members all went into the TD, and through it into the TF. Front suspension and steering is where the two ranges meet.
Other YB tells: Deeper rear wing skirts, smaller chromed hubcaps with a cast MG motif, smaller headlamp shells for 7in Lucas lamps from car 326, twin-tone horns from car 460.