MG

Among a catalogue of many significant cars to be offered by H&H Classics at its forthcoming 11 July Chateau Impney Hill Climb sale is not only a historic car in the legend that is the MG Car Company, it’s also a star of the silver screen. The 1957 MGA Twin Cam Roadster Prototype, registration ‘ORX 885’, features in a 1955/1956 promotional film for the British Motor Corporation, The Sports Car Of The Year, produced by Associated British Pathé Ltd. MG’s top-of-the-range sports car can be seen at the MIRA test track lapping at its impressive top speed of 120mph. Not only that, in later frames it also demonstrates the powerful stopping power of disc brakes – quite an innovation for MG and at that time generally only fitted to racing cars such as Jaguar’s D-type. Since service as a factory […]

From the Post & Courier in Charleston, SC. … Call this the poignant story of a local car buff’s prized 1977 roadster and the uplifting events that would follow in the past year. Eugene D. Foxworth III, a Marine veteran and a stockbroker for 25 years, died in December 2013 at age 58. Known as Foxy, his possessions included a Damask Red MGB considered in good condition and running well after an HS4 carb conversion. His wife, Cantey Foxworth, at one point last year advertised the soft-top for sale before agreeing to donate the MGB for a British Car Club of Charleston fundraiser. A drawing raised $5,000 for new tools for students at a Charleston County technical high school’s automotive classes. “It’s nice to do something like this, that makes a difference,” said Wray Lemke, a British Car Club of […]

RM Sotheby’s is delighted to announce the inclusion of a delightful 1934 MG PA/B, chassis PA/1711, which showcased female driving talent at the 1935 Le Mans 24 hour race, at its annual London sale, 7 September at Battersea Evolution. Representing an important part of British pre-war motorsport heritage, the diminutive 948 cc four-cylinder MG is one of approximately 75 automobiles slated for the central London auction. Chassis PA/1711 was raced as number 56 in the 1935 version of the legendary endurance competition, where it was driven exclusively by well-known female racers of the period as part of a high-profile three car Works team. The trio of identical cars was managed by Captain George Eyston, himself a veteran of the 1928 and 1929 Le Mans races and a holder of the word land speed record. The group was unfairly dubbed by […]

The annual University Motors Summer party will be held this year on August 8 in Byron Center, Michigan. This year’s event will be celebrating the MGA 1500’s birthday. The MGA was introduced in 1955. By replacing the TF, it was a quantum leap into the future with it’s aerodynamic body styling – a world away from the “square rigger” MG models from before WWII. Over the next seven years about 110,000 MGAs were manufactured. They came as roadsters and coupes. They were powered first by a 1500 engine, then a 1600, and finally a 1622. A short run (2111) of Twin Cams were produced in 1959-1960. They came with drum/drum brakes, then disc/drums, while the Twin Cam had all round disc brakes. The last MGAs left the factory in 1962 before the introduction of the MGB. Come with us the […]

MG’s latest new dealer appointment fills one of the top ‘open points’ in an on-going major extension of the brand’s franchise network. Roadworthy Bristol is the 33rd new MG dealer to be appointed within the past 18-months and almost completes the brand’s dealer map in the south west of England. The new dealer, which is in one of MG’s top 15 open points, plans to go fully live within the next few weeks, but already has new MG6 and MG3 models in stock and available to view. MG has the fastest growing dealer network in the UK and it is planned to increase the current number of 64 dealers to around 80 by the end of the year. The expansion of the network is reflected in a huge increase in sales of MG cars. Last year MG saw the greatest […]

Chinese automotive conglomerate SAIC Motor Corp Ltd and local commercial vehicle distributor Weststar Maxus Sdn Bhd have signed an assembly and distribution deal worth up to RM1 billion in a move that could see the return of the MG brand in Malaysia, according to The Star. The report from the English language daily, citing sources close to the deal, states that SAIC is looking to take up a 49% stake in Weststar Maxus and will provide the distribution rights for its wide range of vehicles, including cars from the MG brand, passenger vans and pick-up trucks. These will add to SAIC’s Maxus brand of commercial vehicles that Weststar already sells. In addition, SAIC will also join forces with Weststar Maxus to set up an assembly plant here – Weststar currently builds Maxus vehicles at its facility in Port Klang, so […]

The MG N-type Magnette was produced by the MG Car company from October 1934 to 1936. The car was developed from the K-Type and L-Type but had a new chassis that broke away in design from the simple ladder type used on the earlier cars of the 1930s being wider at the rear than the front and with the body fitted to outriggers off the main frame. This beautiful example of the six-cylinder Magnette was on display at the Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance on May 2nd in Pinehurst, North Carolina. The beautiful example is owned by Roy Crowninshield of Asheville, North Carolina. Its 6-cylinder engine displaces 1271 cc and has overhead cam, Marshall supercharger, side exhaust, and pre-selector transmission. Only about 700 N Type MGs were built between 1934 and 1936. The became well known in sports car circles for their lively performance. […]

Over the next few days, I will be posting some pictures and impressions from the Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance that took place this past weekend in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Most of these pictures, such as the ones of the beautiful MGA that you see below, were taken by Leigh Gill of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This 1960 MGA Twin Cam Coupe is one of only 48 built in 1958 but not titled until 1960. It is owned by Bob and Lynn Wilson of Lisle, Illinois. Uncovered in garage in Wisconsin, where it had been carefully stored for 25 years, this beautiful car required only time, patience, love and a bit of touch-up paint to return it to its original charm.   Due to its highly unmolested nature, this car serves as a great example for those seeking orginality. Stay tuned for more […]

It is Spring, a time of rebirth and renewal, and time to revive a venerable classic, the MGB. The Video Of The Week for this first Wednesday in May is from the series “Classic Car Rescue”. Classic Car Rescue, a series produced by Blink Films, has entrepreneur and car specialist Mario Pacione teaming up with automotive manager and technical engineer Bernie Fineman to restore six iconic cars, including a Jaguar, Porsche, Mini Cooper and Mustang. In each episode, Pacione and Fineman search scrapyards, wastelands and backyards for broken-down rust-buckets with potential. The pair go to work to bring each car back to its former classic car glory. With a deadline and a tight budget, they work tirelessly in order to impress an expert valuer for a glittering price tag at the official presentation. In this episode, the 3rd in the […]

There is a very good story over the King 5 News site out of Seattle, Washington, about the MG Club of Victoria, Australia. The group now consisting of five of the British built sports cars is on its way to Canada next, then Alaska. “Four months in this car is the best way to go,” said Sue Slater, the group’s blogger. Having first shipped their 40- to 50-year- old cars by container ship from Australia to Chile, the group’s been on an incredible driving tour from the tip of South America to finally ending in Skagway in the next few weeks. Their trip started on January 5. The oldest car was built in 1961, the newest in 1978. Considering the 20,000-mile long trip, repairs have been necessary and ranged from the expected electrical glitches to blown head gaskets to bad […]

According to CarScoops, SAIC owned MG brand plans to expand from the UK into continental Europe with the GS SUV, which debuted last week at the Shanghai Auto Show. The MG GS will arrive in the UK in 2016 and will compete in the highly competitive compact SUV segment. However, the brand reportedly has bigger ambitions with the new model. According to MG Motor product manager Andrew Lowerson, the automaker will consider expanding into other European markets following the UK rollout of the GS, its first SUV. “The SUV brings something new to the brand,” Lowerson told Autonews Europe. With the GS, MG’s UK lineup will grow to three models: the MG3 subcompact hatchback, MG6 midsize model and the GS compact SUV. The latter will likely be offered with a diesel and a petrol unit in Europe. Porsche Engineering is responsible […]

The first SUV in MG’s history, the MG GS, has been unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show. MG, now a brand of parent company Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), finally took the wraps off it highly anticipated new MG GS SUV. The Nissan Qashqai-rivaling newcomer will go on sale in China next month and will arrive in the UK next year. It will be joined by a Nissan Juke-sized crossover in 2016. SAIC, first gave indications that an MG SUV was in the pipeline by unveiling the MG CS concept at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show. Under the hood, two engines will be available. The turbocharged 1.5-liter unit produces 168 PS (124 kW) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque, while the turbocharged 2.0-liter develops 220 PS (162 kW) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque. Depending on which engine is […]

An impressive convoy of 146 cars drove around the Rockingham Circuit in Corby, Northamptonshire (UK) oval circuit in order to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest parade of MGs. Officially, the world record will be 144 cars – as two MGs were discounted from the attempt as they were over the maximum distance of two car lengths between vehicles. The record was set on 11 April and was organised by Lancaster Insurance and the MG Owners’ Club. Lancaster’s managing director Richard Morley, who helped lead the parade in a race-prepared MGF said: ‘We’re so thrilled with how it went. When we first got to the track it was raining and miserable, but luckily the sun came out and so did the cars.’ Martin Wills, who drove a race-prepared MG ZR, added: ‘I thought it’d be quite naff but it’s […]

The MG Car Club Northwest Centre presents their fifth annual MG Car Show & All British Vintage Car Show. When: Sun, May 24, 9am – 3pm Where: Triple X Root Beer Drive-in, 98 NE Gilman Blvd, Issaquah, Washington, 98027 The show is open to all vintage British automobiles built in 1980 or earlier. Exhibitors will vote for and awards given in four categories: Favorite Car; Best Engine Compartment; Best Interior; and Best Exterior. Exhibitors who vote will be automatically entered in a door prize drawing. Owners of the first fifty cars to register will receive a commemorative dash plaque. Registration forms are available at the website for download.  The registration fee is $10.00US in advance or $15.00US on the day of the show at the ‘gate’.  The deadline for mail-in registration is Saturday, May 16th.  A portion of the proceeds will […]

The prototype of the MG GS SUV has been spied on the road recently in the UK. The new 5-seat SUV, scheduled to go on sale in 2016, was seen undergoing road trials in Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire. This will be the first time in the company’s history that MG has entered the hotly contested SUV market. Reports on sightings fo the prototype have come from both AutoExpress and AutoCar. The most recent photos captured show the prototype SUV with far less camouflage to disguise its appearance. The production version of the GS was styled under the stewardship of MG design boss Anthony Williams-Kenny, in a collaboration between the company’s Shanghai and Longbridge design teams. The first-ever MG SUV adheres closely to the look of the well-received CS concept, with a highly contemporary look featuring a clear family resemblance to the […]

The accountancy firm Deloitte has had a £14m fine relating to its dealings with collapsed car maker MG Rover cut to £3m after an appeal. The reduced penalty was announced on Monday after an appeals tribunal earlier this year threw out eight of 13 charges against the firm in a case brought by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC). It also cut the fine imposed on former Deloitte partner Maghsoud Einollahi from £250,000 to £175,000 and reversed his three-year ban from the profession. Instead, he and Deloitte were given a “severe reprimand”. MG Rover entered administration in 2005 with debts of £1.4bn and more than 6,000 job losses. It had been bought by directors known as the Phoenix Four for a token £10 five years earlier. The FRC filed a formal complaint against the firm and Einollahi in 2012 and the […]

News from MG Motors announces that the new MG6 enjoys a higher level of equipment than the model it replaces while offering customers a saving of almost £3,000 over the previous car. The new front includes new lamps, grille, lower vent, and LED daytime running lights. On higher level trims, the MG grille is highlighted in chrome. At the rear, the update has been even more dramatic, with a lower black aerodynamically styled bumper and shaped tailpipe. These changes all contribute to make the 2015 MG6 unmistakable on the road. The 2015 MG6 retains the look of a distinctive, fastback vehicle with the addition of standard 16” alloys across the range. The 6 has been rationalised with the 1.8 petrol and Magnette saloon making way in the new range. The 1.9 DTi-Tech diesel from the previous car remains, but with […]

In an article by James Batchelor of Auto Express, the sad fact that there will be no new MG sportscar for at least a few years has become more official. Speaking to to Auto Express, MG’s new head of marketing told them that “the explosion in popularity of SUVs and crossovers has meant it’s a market MG cannot ignore.” They go on to say that, “MG’s new focus on SUVs has come at the cost of a new MG two-seater roadster. Since the demise of the MG TF in 2010, fans have been crying out for a new sportscar harking back to the MGA, MGB, MGF and TF. Cheyne told [Auto Express] that a new sports car would arrive in the future, but not for the next five years at least as the brand concentrates on more profitable sectors like the […]