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A most interesing and famous works "Cream Cracker" still on its original chassis.The restoration has just been completed and is now with us at our showrooms to be sold.
MG PA Cream Cracker JB 3854
PA Chassis number 0682 was first registered to the Competitions Department at Abingdon on May 15th, 1934. It was used by them to assess various modifications such as different inlet manifolds and carburettors, not all of which were successful! The car was used in competitions by J.A. Bastock to whom it was sold later in the year. Together with Maurice Toulmin and R.A. Macdermid Bastock made up the official MG Car Club “A” team in trials. This trio was the winning team in the Inter Team Trial on 20th October. On 24th November Bastock achieved a first class award in the Singer Sporting Trial.
Bastock, together with the other two drivers, complained about the extra weight of the P compared to their previous J2’s. They were well and truly sorted by the Competitions department for the M.C.C. Exeter Trial on 29th December. A serious lightening process was carried including aluminium bonnets, K3 pattern aluminium cycle wings, and the removal of all weather equipment including the windscreens which were replaced by flimsy aero screens. And it rained, no; in fact it poured cats and dogs all night! Bastock was the most popular member of the team as amongst his spares was a flask of Whisky Mac! Despite the appalling conditions Bastock gained a first class award including climbing the notorious Simms.
For the 1935M.C.C. Land’s End trial the three cars were painted in cream and brown and thus the name “Cream Crackers” was born. So the three cars continued to compete under this now immortal name until the PB’s took over for the 1935 Exeter in December. As well as trialling JB 3854 competed at Brooklands in the M.C. C. High Speed Trial.
Bastock continued to use the car until just before the war when he sold her to one Gilbet Couzens. This gentleman continued to trial the car after the war, including the first post-war trial. This was run by the Bristol Motor Cycle and Light car Club.
In the 60’s the car was bought by Stephen Dear, Chairman of the MMM register. He continued to trial the car with considerable success in M.G.C.C., M.C.C. and V.S.C.C. trials.
In 1987 the car passed to its present owner, Alan Grassam. It was in a deplorable state with everything totally worn out. Many of the body timbers had rotted away and the doors were kept closed by string! Although it had an M.O.T. the steering was, to say the least, “interesting,” being best likened to a terrier going down a lane. You never knew which hedge it was going to dive into next!
It was decided to strip the car down to bare chassis and to refurbish/replace whatever was necessary to bring the car into top condition for further competition work. Reluctantly it was decided to replace the body as the original timbers were rotted away and completely missing under the doors. However sound timbers were included in the new body where possible including the cross timber, under the scuttle, that has the body number marked on it. The scuttle, too, is original.
The car came out for the M.G.C.C. Donington race meeting on 23rd April 1989 and was placed a creditable 14th just behind Mike Allison in the blown NA but ahead of Mike Dowley in his very fast blown PB special. Very satisfying!
Shortly after this the engine started to vibrate. Upon stripping down it was found to have a broken crank so a full rebuild was undertaken.
Since then the car has competed successfully in M.G.C.C. and M.C.C. trials, gaining many awards.
The present owner has been trialling for over 30 years and finds he no longer has the energy to compete in the M.C.C. trials that require all night driving followed by a full day tackling the hills. These are the events most akin to the events that Bastock competed in during the 30’s so, no longer able to do them, he feels the time has come to pass this famous and historic car on to another enthusiast.
Packing, shipping, air freight economically priced and arranged to your door.
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