This is a dictionary style potted history of MG through the last 75 years. It is by no means exhaustive, as if you are that keen you should treat yourself and buy some of the very many tremendous books on the subject (another page topic coming on?). Pictures limited for faster loading in one a to z hit, also they are elsewhere in this site.
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A as in MGA
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One of the prettiest designs of all MGs, released in 1955 and running through to 1962.
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A Series Motor
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Powered a host of MGs starting with the Midget in 1961. Ranges in sizes from 948cc to 1275cc ex factory and 1425 in race trim. Started with the A30 in 1951.
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Abingdon-on-Thames
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Home of MG from 1929 to the sad closure in 1980. Located about 6 miles from Oxford, UK, and a pilgrimage must for all UK MG tourists.
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Arnolt MG
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A wonderful special built in Italy for an eccentric American, Stanley Arnolt.
Production of the Bertone bodied TD totalled 65 coupes & 35 roadsters.
One is under restoration in NZ - can't wait for it to be finished.
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Auckland, New Zealand
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The home of the Auckland MG Car Club with some 550 members. See their writeup in the Clubs section of this site.
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B Series Motor
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Originated from the humble A40 of 1947, eventually in various sizes powered the Magnettes, MGA and MGB through to 1980. Started at 1489 cc, went up to 1798 in factory guise and circa 1959 in race mode.
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B as in MGB
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The most successful production MG ever, 512,243 in total, 125,282 BGT's and 386 961 B's.
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Black Monday
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September 10th, 1979, the day Abingdon closure was announced.
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British Leyland 
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A key milestone in the end of classic MG, part of the merging of BL to BL Ltd to British Leyland Motors in the period 1968 to 1988.60
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BMC 
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Owner of the MG marque from 1952 to 1968, when Austin took over Morris.
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C Series Motor
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The straight 6, 2912 cc very heavy motor that powered the MGC.
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C is for C-type
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Montlhery Midget, recored Eyston's EZX120 record 101mph at Montlhery in 1931.
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Canterbury, New Zealand
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The home of the Canterbury arm of the MG Car Club. Situated in the middle of the South Island, known as the Garden City and well named it is.
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Castrol |
Strong supporters of the MG Car Club, Wellington and who help us do race meeting, rallies & things like this.
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Costello
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The creator of the concept of the Rover 3.5 V8 as an MG conversion. Built B's and BGT's. One in NZ that I know of.
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Coune - Jacques
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Made the absolutely beautiful Berlinette coupe from an MGB, in 1964/1968 prior to the factory MGBGT. Approx 56 made in total (I want one).
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Cream Crackers
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Trials team in the early 1930's, bery good advertising material for the MG name. Cloured brown and cream, of course.
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D-type
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Produced in 1931 as a 4-seater M, a bit underpowered with only 847cc.
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Enever - Syd(ney) |
Cheif engineer of MG from 1954 to 1971. Hugely influential on the marque, with responsibility for MGa & MGB models.
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EX |
Experimental. All projects had an EX number - see the EX page for some examples of the cars from that process. Ex120, 127, 135, 172, 175, 179, 181, 220, 234, 255, EXE, EXF.
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Eyston - George |
The record breaking MG founder. Famous for exploits in EX120, EX127, EX135 and the Mille Miglia K3. An ex-director of Castrol which is symbolic of the relationship that MGCC Wellington, has with Castrol NZ.
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F-type Magna |
1931 to 1932 a Wolseley based six cylinder model.
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F - as in MGF |
The rebirth of MG launched in 1995, mid mounted, rear drive. Very successful, but will it become a classic MG? Time will tell.
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Gardner - Goldie |
Another famous name from the past. Record breaker from 1936 to 1952. Raced (and crashed) a C-Type. K3 racer which he became famous for in EX135.
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J1 |
Built in 1932/33 847cc 4 seater, some 381 made.
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J2 |
1932/1934, 847cc, 2083 made, - a classical MG shape.
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J3 |
Supercharged version of the J2 - only 22 made.
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J4 |
9 only made of this also supercharged racing model.
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Jubilee specials |
Several Jubilee models were produced in 1975, to mark what BL thought was the 50th anniversary of MG, based on Old Number 1 being the 1st MG. Informed opinion says 1923 or 1924 is more accurate. Limited edition MGBGT in green and gold, one only MGBGTV8, and one only Midget
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K Series Motor |
The new basis for the MGF. Aluminium sandwich construction in sizes of 1400cc to 1800cc.
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K Series Magnette |
Six cylinder of 1932/1934, K1 & K2 versions, with many different styles.
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K3 |
Perhaps the most illustrious and famous MG ever. 1300cc 6 cyl, pre-select gearbox, supercharged 2 seater made from 1933/1934.
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Kimber |
What can you say? The founder of the world's favourite sports car! Born 12th April 1888, died 4 Feb 1945. More info on the Kimber bio page.
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KN Magnette |
1934 to 1935, K1 chassis and 1271cc six cylinder engine.
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L-Type Magna |
six cylinder 1087cc, 1933 to 1934.
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Lord Leonard |
M.D. of Morris in the 30's and chairman of BMC 1952 to 1961. A complex character.
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M-Type |
The 1st Midget, 847cc 1929 to 1932, a high number of over 3,000 made.
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Maestro |
Produced 1983 to 1984 in 1600 and 1984 to 1991 in 2000cc models, with a turbo option.
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Magnette |
See L type, Z Magnette. Farina styled with B Series motor, badge engineering of the early 60's, that actually worked out ok, (now you look 25 years later).
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Metro |
Made from 1982 to 1990, in A Series mode with 1275cc and a turbo option as well as a Metro based Rally car 6R4.
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MG Car Club - New Zealand variety  |
That's us, in 4 New Zealand models. Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury & Otago in geographic sequence. Affiliated to MG Car Club Ltd - the U.K. based parent organisation.
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M.G. Car Club Ltd - Parent Club |
The original MG Club, founded in 1930. Based in Abingdon, Oxon, England. Objectives are to promote the sport & pastime of motoring....to further the interests of owners & drivers of MG cars. To promote...and hold events...
To extend to owners & drivers of MG cars interested in motoring sport.....club privileges.
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MG Car Company (Ltd) |
Registered in 1928 under the domain of Morris Garages. Became a separate Sir William Morris owned Ltd company in 1930. Purchased by Morris Motors in 1935. Absorbed into BMC in 1952.
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MG Owners Club |
The world's largest single marque car club. What more can you say? Quite a lot given there are 80,000 members
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MG1100 & MG1300 |
Badge engineering in full swing. 1962 to 1971 based on A series motor FWD.
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Midget |
As in modern Midgets, from 1961 to 1974 with A Series motors, chrome bumpers and to 1987 with Triumph motor and rubber appendages.
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Montego |
FWD 2000cc 1984 to 1991, better than the reputation would suggest.
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New Zealand |
Perhaps the world's most enthusiastic MG country, person for person. Many MG's in everyday use as well as a huge range of models both new & old.
Home of the owners of this site. MG Car Club Wellington (Auckland, Canterbury & Otago).
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O Series Motor |
Fitted to Maestro and Montego, originally designed for the new B.
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Octagon |
MG personified. First appeared in 1928 on the 14/40. Used with gay abandon to this day.
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Old Number One |
2 seater Kimber special used in the Lands End trial in 1925. Now at the Heritage Centre in the UK. See photos in the a to z pages.
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Old Speckled Hen |
Fabric bodied 14/40, named because of the strange finish colour.
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PA & PB |
1934 to 1936, ohc 847cc & 939cc motor, variations on bodies, all great.
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Q Type |
Race car supercharged 746cc, 8 only made in 1934.
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R Type |
My absolute favourite, single seater, in 1935, 10 cars only, one here in NZ.
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RV8 |
The modern MG, built to revitalise the MG brand. Most sold to Japan, with about 12 now in NZ.
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SA |
Made in 1936 to 1939, classical body options.
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Safety Fast  |
Enduring MG slogan, first used circa 1929.
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Super Sports 14/28 |
1924 to 1926, based on the Morris bullnose.
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TA & TB |
Delightful little cars with pushrod motors, 1936 to 1939.
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TC |
1945 to 1949, postwar jewel. Export led revival of MG, some 10,000 made.
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TD |
A TC with independent front-end, 1950 to 1953, American success. Many specialist bodies resulted.
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TF |
The end of the T Series cars. 1250cc to 1466cc, 1953 to 1955. Classical chassis and mudguard design.
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Thornley John |
Kept Kimber's vision alive from 1931 to 1969. The most influential single person in the long proud MG history.
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Tickford |
Coachbuilding with 50 years of MG association and some wonderful creations. Drophead styles their hallmark.
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TMG - Theseus Management Group |
The creators and managers of this site, sorry about the advert, but payback time for the hours & hours of work to get it looking like this.
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VA |
1937 to 1939 a beautiful shape, 1548cc pushrod motor.
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V8 |
The Rover V8 based on the Buick, powered the MGBGT of 1973 and the RV8 of 1992, as well as Costello and a host of conversions.
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WA |
Six cylinder 2561cc, 1938 & 1939. Luxury at its finest.
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Wellington |
Home of MG Car Club Wellington NZ, who bring you this web site. Courtesy of Theseus Management Group.
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Whittaker's |
The race chocolate fuel. Known in many parts of the world for their Peanut Slabs. Supporters of the Whittaker's MG Classic Race, details in this site.
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XPAG Series Motor |
Powered a long line of classic MG from 1939 to 1956. ohv in a range of capacities over time.
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Y type |
Made in 1947 to 1951, a solid saloon 1250cc. Morrie 8 based. A few touring versions made.
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Z Series |
A solid saloon in 1489cc motor guise, from 1953 to 1956..
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