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WORKS COMPETITION CARS - VT-104_EX179

EX179 - The first factory "MGA" competition car

EX179

MG EX179 1954 rebodied in streamline form from a 1952 EX175 prototype. The EX 179 challenged land speed records, in the F Class, at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Speed record 153 mph - Also averaged 120.74 m.p.h. for twelve hours. This car combined an EX175 prototype chassis with an unsupercharged modified 1500cc TF engine, driven by George Eyston.

The first run, August 17, 1954, was a 12 hour endurance test and the EX 179 ran at an average speed of 125 mph. During the 1954 test runs, the EX 179 set seven International and 28 American Class F records. During the 1956 test runs, the EX 179, with speeds of 160.4 mph and 177 mph in the two 10 mile runs, set a new record with an average speed of 170.5 mph. In 1957 the EX 179 made its last trip to Bonneville with a 948cc Austin engine and set new records in its class. After an illustrious career, the EX 179 was retired to the Motor Museum at Donnington, England.

EX179
1954 EX179

Wheelbase

  95 inches

Height w/o Canopy

  32 5/16 inches

Height w/ canopy

  40 5/8 inches

Width

  63 1/2 inches

Length

  188 7/8 inches

Front track

  48 inches

Rear track

  48 1/2 inches

Engine

  1466 cc XPEG

Transmission

  Standard TF with Borg & Beck clutch

os - George Eyston's Record Breaking Car 1954 - 0:35 Video
os - EX 179 Utah 1954 - 14:50 Video (silent)

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