MG Today

After the death of the MGB, which was announced on 10th of September 1979 ‘Black Monday’ (production actually ended on the 22nd of October 1980). The MG name continued only through rebadged Austin Rover cars like the MG Maestro, Montego and Metro. Although these cars weren’t very interesting or in many ways good cars, MG enthusiasts could continue to drive MGs everyday. There was also a rather hot Maestro turbo version. But even if MG has a long history of making rebadged saloon cars, I can tell you by experience that these cars are rather nasty pieces of work.

1988 saw the rebirth of MGB bodyshells to help owners restore their worn cars. The idea was warmly welcomed, especially at a time when classic cars were hot property. When Rover finally decided to return to sportscar making, it was a logical step to gauge the market with an updated version of the MGB, as the chassis was already in production.

The MG RV8

The RV8 appeared in 1992. This car, as mentioned, used the bodyshell of the MGB with a 3.9 litre Rover V8 engine. As the MGB GT V8 already used this power unit, installing it wasn’t a problem. It also had up-rated suspension and different styling. Reports say that the car is rather exciting, although it retains a very vintage feel. But it’s 26,000 £ price tag doesn’t really follow the MG tradition of cheap and cheerful sports cars. The RV8 is a kind of melting pot of what is supposed to be the classic British roadster. And although being successful in this way, it doesn’t blend in with other post war MGs. MGAs and MGBs never had wood dashes with cream leather interiors for example. They were never plush cars. The RV8 could be compared more to a Morgan in a way were both are actually ‘new’ classic cars. The real rebirth of MG would have to wait a few years still.

 

The MG F (The rebirth of MG)

The RV8 was only a prelude of what was to come. In March of 1995, Rover presented the brand new MGF at the Geneva motor show. The long awaited return of MG at last became reality. If you are wondering what happened to the MGD and MGE, they were prototypes which never made production. The MGD was to be a mass produced replacement for the MGB, it would have been a mid-engine coupe, but preference for a new sports car went to Triumph with it’s TR7. So MG had to linger on with the old B until the end. The MGE was in fact a show car under the name of MG EXE, this car was again a mid-engine coupe. So it was a logical step when the MGF was planed to give it the same power-plant layout as these two stillborn cars.

Giving the F a mid-engine design was also an easy way to have a rear wheel drive car, as it basically uses a reverted Rover 200 powerplant and gearbox.

So what is the MGF like ? Is it a real MG ? Does it perpetuate the MG tradition ? Looking at the styling, the car retains much of the MG spirit. Its exterior is rather subdued, rather unlike the other roadsters which have come out in recent years, like the Fiat Barchetta, the BMW Z3, or Alfa Romeo Spider. These cars are more boisterous and flashy and it is probably in this area that the F follows MG tradition the closest. Although one would perhaps prefer it’s styling to be less ‘Japanese’ like. The interior is more of the same, nice but not too adventurous, just like the B. The modern plastics are a let down though.

The car uses a 1.8 litre version of the Rover K-series engine, it develops 120 BHP. A variable cam version named the VVC which has 145 BHP is an option. The suspension uses Alex Moulton’s Hydragas system. The F also has an interesting optional power-steering unit, which is electrically assisted.

Reported test drives of the car say that it is an extremely good riding and sure-footed sports car, the VVC version being even more exciting to drive. I certainly wish it success, as most MG enthusiast do.