The MG Century: 100 Years―Safety Fast!

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(as of Sep 12, 2024 00:06:38 UTC – Details)

Celebrate and explore 100 years of MG cars with this impressive volume featuring expert commentary, historical images, period ads, and contemporary photography.

For many car enthusiasts, MG is synonymous with “sports car.” It is often credited with igniting a passion for European cars in postwar America at a time when roads were otherwise filled with the lumbering output of Detroit. In MG’s native England, the company’s cars filled roles from family transport to competition driving.

MG, as we think of it today, began in the 1920s, but its roots go back even further with a young William Morris. Initially working in the booming bicycle trade, he eventually branched into motorcycle and car repair with the fledgling Morris Garage (hence, MG) in 1907. By the mid 1920s, the successful Morris Garages was in a position to begin manufacture of its own cars under the MG name.

MG grew significantly in the years before World War II, building and racing its classic Midgets and Magnettes. World War II provided challenging times for the company as it did for the UK and much of the world. In the postwar period, a focus on sales outside England, and particularly in the United States, both defined MG’s product line and ensured its success. Legendary cars followed, including MG TC, TD, and TF followed by thoroughly modern MGA, MGB, MGB GT, and Midget. Magnettes and the 1100 offered options for those wanting sedans and more practical cars.

MG ownership moved through a number of UK companies in the postwar period as well as ownership by BMW and today’s SAIC, a Chinese-based company through which it operates as MG Motor. Highlights along the way included the MGB GT V8, MG Metro Group B rally car, and MGF. Based on its latest state-of-the-art EV platform, MG will soon launch an all-new roadster coming full circle over its century in business.

Authored by marque expert David Knowles, The MG Century: 100 Years of Safety Fast! is a fitting celebration of one of the automotive world’s oldest and most beloved brands—and a must-have for every car enthusiast.

From the Publisher

Take a Trip Down MG Memory Lane…

History in the Making

Lord Nuffield stands to one side at the press luncheon at University Motors in June 1948, which saw the unveiling of the exciting new record car for Goldie Gardner (seated in the cockpit). The first serious outing for his vehicle would be at Frankfurt in September.

The Iconic MG Badge

An ad on the cover of the November 28, 1923, issue of The Isis. Even at this stage, the MG badge was portrayed as a part of the name of the car: the MG Super Sports Morris. Cecil Kimber eventually went so far as to acquire a typewriter with a special “MG” octagon key.

The Roaring Twenties

On the evolutionary path; the badge on the top of the radiator grille is still essentially Morris in style, but the cut-out letters on the face of the grille tell us that this is now an MG. Note the “Calometer”!

Superlative Sixties

The MG Princess 1100 was rather eccentric— and short-lived. A version of the Vanden Plas Princess 1100 sold elsewhere, but in the US it was marketed as a kind of MG mini Rolls Royce. It was expensive and found few takers, much like the contemporary Vanden Plas Princess 4-Litre R, which was briefly offered in North America.

A must-have for every car enthusiast, from marque expert David Knowles!

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Motorbooks (March 12, 2024)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0760383154
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0760383155
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.92 x 1.02 x 12.2 inches