100 anos

Old Number One 1925

There are differing views amongst Car Historians as to whether Old Number One was the original and first MG built. MGs were built for some two years before Old Number One came on the scene. It is certainly true that this vehicle was the first MG to be built specifically to compete in sporting events. The first cars known MGs were in fact special bodied Morris Cowleys.

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90 anos

MG SA Saloon 1935

The MG SA was launched at the 1935 Motor Show and this elegant saloon was the first all new model to be introduced since the merger with Morris Motors in July 1935. It was launched alongside another new model, the PB Midget and a revised version of the N type Magnette, but everyone's attention was turned to the SA. This brand new car was a shock to the MG fraternity as it was a car of such huge proportions compared to the previous Abingdon offerings and was to be the largest MG to date. 

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90 anos

MG NA Magnette 1935

The name Magnette was first used on an MG by Cecil Kimber in 1932 when the K series of cars were announced. The designation Magna preceded the Magnette range, first appearing on the F type in 1931. The F type in particular was derived from the C and D type Midgets that were launched in the same year. It is from the Midget, Magna and Magnette range of MG's that the terminology, Triple M cars originated. The advent of the Magnette name on the K series cars heralded the arrival of the 'Light Sixes' as they became known. 

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90 anos

MG R-Type Midget 1935

Originally known as EX 146, the R type Midget was quite revolutionary. This new MG was the first British car to feature all-round independent suspension, as well as being the first MG to be offered for sale built as a single seater racing car. The engine and gearbox were virtually identical to the Q-type racing car, although close ratio gears were used in the preselector gearbox. A Zoller supercharger, was employed as on the Q type compressing to 24psi.

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80 anos

MG TC Midget 1945

The MG TC Midget is probably one of the best known MGs to come out of Abingdon since the Second World War. As soon as the war was over the factory resumed car production after six years of producing tanks, armoured cars and aeroplane engines for the war effort. The basis of the new car was the pre-war MG TB, it was to have a similar engine and gearbox and axles, the only significant changes would be to the body which was widened by nearly 4" across the seats without changing the basic chassis, wings and running-boards or facia layout.

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70 anos

MGA 1500 1955

The introduction of the MGA 1500 was a long awaited event by both the motoring public and the press. The new car before introduction was with an extremely attractive body, its flowing lines were to become one of today’s most desirable classic cars. The 'B' series engine codenamed EX 182 and was a direct replacement for the MG TF Midget although it was developed from the earlier TD. The car had been finished some two years before it was introduced and existed at that time purely as a design exercise.

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70 anos

MGA 1600 1955

The MG Car Company announced in 1955 that it would again be competing in the Le Mans 24 hour race after a 20 year absence from the grid. The three cars entered were very interesting in as much as they were acknowledged to be prototypes for a long awaited all-new production sports car. Codenamed EX 182, the prototypes returned very creditable performances with two out of the trio crossing the finishing line. With one car coming 12th and the other 17th, (the final car having retired through crash damage) a total distance of 2,084 and 1,961 miles was covered respectively. 

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60 anos

MGB GT 1965

When launched in May 1962, the MGB was to become for many, the epitome of the modern British sportscar; who would have thought that this MG model with its stunning lines would prove to be the last MG to be built at the famous Abingdon factory. The MGB was in continuous production up until the closure of Abingdon in October 1980 and throughout its 18 year life span the basic body shape remained unaltered. This was apart from the post 1975 models sporting impact resistant black bumpers front and rear, primarily to meet the American safety legislation.

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50 anos

MGB GT Anniversary 1975

In May 1975 Abingdon produced 750 specially prepared MGB GTs to celebrate what British Leyland thought to be the MG Car Company's fiftieth anniversary of the production of MG Cars. However as MG historian Wilson McComb points out in his book 'MG by McComb' they got the date wrong as they were actually in their fifty second year of production!

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45 anos

MGB GT LE 1980

Very much part of MGB history is the MGB Roadster Limited Edition and its closed coupe counterpart the MGB GT Limited Edition. These cars were built at Abingdon in 1979 and were in fact the last MGs to be built at the famous factory before its closure in October 1980. The MGB was originally launched in 1962 and can be described as the world's most successful sports car with over half a million examples being produced during its 18 year span of continuous production. 

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45 anos

MGB LE 1980

It is worthwhile to look back over the period 1962 to 1980 which is the period that the evergreen MGB was in continuous production at Abingdon. Introduced at the 1962 Motor Show the MGB cost a mere £949 15s 3d and had a top speed of around 108 mph and a 0 to 60mph time of 12.1 sees. With its three main bearing 1798cc engine developing 95 bhp @ 5,400 rpm the MGB was a good performer with plenty of torque throughout the range and was overall a more flexible car than its predecessor, the MGA.

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40 anos

MG Montego Turbo 1985

The closure of the MG factory at Abingdon also marked the end of production of the two seater sports cars that had been the hallmark for many years. Although the future of MG at that stage was quite uncertain, rumours abounded that the MG name was to be put on BL's new car the Metro, due to be announced on the 8th October 1980. 

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40 anos

MG Metro 6R4 1985

The MG Metro 6R4 (6 cylinder R rear engine 4 wheel drive) was a pure out and out competition car that retained a couple of panels from the original Metro body, but enough to clearly identify it as a Metro. It was built with the active assistance of Williams GP Engineering who at the time the project was started (1981) were at the pinnacle of F1 success and interestingly Austin Rover was a sponsor of Williams at this time.

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30 anos

MGF 1995

Introduced in 1995 to worldwide acclaim, the MGF car heralded the return of MG to volume two-seat sports car production that the marque vacated with the close of Abingdon in October 1980. It was created using novel design and a very considerable degree of ingenuity on the part of engineers whom with little or no budget from Rover management. What the car has achieved and its longevity is a testimony to the success of the work of those engineers.

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