Abingdon's Finest

MG has always played a prominent role in British social history, and its cars have always been enthusiastically praised. A home-grown concept, MG became internationally successful, largely due to the uniqueness of the factory; a family unit that supported innovation, race craft, had a talented design team, and provided opportunities for it's employees. The success of the factory propelled the small market town of Abingdon, in Oxfordshire, onto the global map, and made MG into an international brand that has survived almost a century of change. 

We have a number of books on MG at Abingdon, such as MG's Abingdon Factory and Don Hayter's MGB Story, but the real stand out has to be our newest book MG, Made in Abingdon. An active volunteer of Abingdon County Hall Museum, author Bob Frampton has collected the memories of many of the men and women who worked at Abingdon, to provide an intimate and unique account of what it was like to work in MG's Abingdon factory. 

 This book is proving to be a popular buy, and with reviews like these, its easy to see why!

"This is social history at its best,  [it's] as much about skilled trades, shop floor romances and lower-league football as making cars." – Classic Cars

"We are used to reading about the big names in MG's history, but this book gives voice to some thousands who worked in the Abingdon factory, helping to create the cars we love ... it opens a window on aspects of MG life that rarely get an airing in public." – MG Enthusiast

It's Bob recognition that the most important aspect of MG's success was its team – tea-boys and girls, the shop floor workers, the engineers and racers, the apprentices and management – that makes this book such an interesting read. Factory life is often overlooked and unremarked on, but the story of MG's factory is an important reflection of the British motor industry from the perspective of the shop floor work force.

From memories of the production line, to recollections of racing incidents, the previously untold story of MG from the men and women who worked in the Abingdon factory is revealed for the first time. Yes, it's certainly a nostalgic look at an historic marque, but more than that, it's an historically important record of a unique period in social history.

Image credit British Motor Heritage Museum

From the 14th of April until the 24th of June, Abingdon County Hall Museum will house a new exhibition entitled "Automotive Design: Innovations at MG Abingdon". Using recent donations from MGB lead designer Don Hayter, the museum will celebrate the importance and practice of good design in automotive production, and how MG made innovative steps forward in this industry.

This weekend sees the exhibition opening, and to market he occasion, Abingdon County Hall Museum will be hosting a book signing event with Bob Frampton this Sunday (April 15th)! For more information, you can contact the museum directly.

So, if you are local to Abingdon, or are an MG enthusiast, make sure you check out the Automotive Design exhibition, and don't forget to get your copy of MG, Made in Abingdon from our website!  

MUST HAVE MGs AT RACE RETRO SALE

1954 MG TF

1964 MGB Roadster
Classic and race MGs spanning five decades will go under the hammer at the Silverstone Auctions hosted Race Retro & Classic Car Sale.

The must-attend auction for any serious MG enthusiast or collector takes place at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire on 23rd February as part of the Race Retro weekend. As well as the collection of MGs, the sale will also have other road models, race and rally cars, as well as a wide variety of automobilia.

Nick Whale, managing director, Silverstone Auctions, said: “There are few marques that can match MG for pure driving pleasure, complimented with style and collectable appeal. It’s no wonder that they provoke such fierce loyalty.”

The oldest of the MG’s on offer, estimated at £22,000 to £26,000, is a beautifully restored 1954 MG TF. As well as its eye-pleasing appearance, complete with light Burgundy paintwork and cream interior, is a very recently rebuilt engine.

Just slightly younger is a 1957 MG A 1500, estimated at between £20,000 to £25,000. Offered in the best colour combination of Old English White with red leather interior, it boasts many of its original features and has an extensive history file.

From 1959 is a stunning MG A Twin Cam Roadster, estimated at between £30,000 to £35,000, that has recently benefited from a full ground up restoration.

The swinging sixties is represented by a 1964 MG B Roadster and a 1969 MGC GT, estimated at between £12,000 to £15,000 and £8,000 to £12,000, respectively.

Presented in excellent condition, the Roadster is an early pull-handle example and comes complete with a large history file with bills and receipts for various works carried out.

Meanwhile, a 1969 MGC GT is just one of only 335 ever made for the UK market. It has been garage stored for its entire life and also has a large history file containing various original documents.

Those looking for their first affordable classic might be tempted by a 1975 MG Midget, estimated at between £3,000 to £5,000. A completely original car with low mileage makes this model very rare but within reach of most budgets.

Last but by no means least, is a 1998 MGF Cup Car, estimated at between £7,500 to £9,000. It is ideal for a club racer, a racing-driver tutor or simply as en economical track-day weapon!

For more information about any of these MGs, or for any of the other models being offered at the Race Retro & Classic Car Sale, visit www.silverstoneauctions.com.

Stop! Don’t buy a classic MG without buying a Veloce Essential Buyer's Guide first!

MG TD, TF & TF1500 – The Essential Buyer’s Guide
By Barrie Jones

Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side. Benefit from the author’s years of MG TD & TD ownership, learn how to spot a bad car quickly and how to assess a promising one like a professional. Get the right car at the right price!

More info.







MG MGB & MGB GT – The Essential Buyer's Guide
By Roger Williams

A small investment in this book could save you a fortune ... With the aid of this book's step-by-step expert guidance, you'll discover all you need to know about the car you want to buy. Unique point system will help you to place the cars value in relation to condition. This is an important investment - don't buy a car without this book's help.

More info.

DON HAYTER'S MGB STORY BOOK REVIEWS

"worth every penny" - MGB Driver Dec 2012

"lot's of info here" - Auto Express Jan 2013

Click here for more info about the book!

ME AND MY CAR/MOTORCYCLE #9

This month's entry comes courtesy of MG Enthusiast magazine, who very kindly sent us this entry from Bob Featherstone, with his impeccable-looking MGB roadster. Bob wins a copy of MG MGB & MGB GT - The Essential Buyer's Guide for his efforts. Please keep your entries coming in, and you never know, it could be YOU in this space next month!

Bob Featherstone, three years the Chairman of the Exeter Area MGOC, likes his MGB to be original, but that does not mean 'as it left the factory'...

"I am a bit of a romantic about my MGB Roadster. I am not a purist by any means, but I do enjoy my car being ‘original’ – not in the sense of ‘as-built’ but in the ‘unique’ meaning of the word. If you just look at a row of MGBs, you can tell that over the years each car has slightly changed. Each one will sit slightly differently and just look back at you in its own distinctive way. After all, they vary in age from just over 30 years old to 50 and their ownership histories vary enormously so, they have every right to appear different.
When I saw that Vic Birch was advertising a brand new replacement wing design, it reminded me of Jacques Coune’s design of the Berlinette. The Belgian designer offered MG the chance of a new look coupe version of the MGB roadster in 1964, but the designs were turned down for being too Italian – then MG went instead to the Italian design company, Pininfarina! Coune's car included beautiful, faired-in headlamps and that is exactly what the VeeBee wings have. It was that look which attracted me, although the VeeBeeWing design is certified separately by the Patent Office. I knew right away that I had to have them fitted; the car would still be a classic, yet definitely more individual.

So my first task was to gain approval from my wife Lorraine, followed by confirmation from my usual car mechanic/engineer, Jeremy Board of London Road Garage in Ottery St Mary, Devon, that he would do the job for me. (I'm nott very mechanical!) Those agreements having both been achieved, I then ordered the wings from Vic Birch of VeeBeeWing in Tiptree, Essex.
In almost no time at all the wings were with Jeremy, and I was thinking it would be great to take along my new-look car to Blenheim Palace and the 50th Anniversary of the MGB. Like anything to do with MGs, nothing is straightforward and the job is only for those with bags of experience. Fortunately Jeremy specialises in MGs and looks after many of the Exeter MGOC members’ cars.
My B is a ’77 roadster in shiny black with over 80k on the clock. It had a rebuild in 2007 just before Lorraine and I bought it, and we have tried to improve it slowly year by year. In other words it is a pretty average and normal situation, typical of many MGBs and their owners. But now look at their car. Is it a Sebring? No, the wings have been remodelled and the headlamps have been moved back for a more streamlined look and the cowls are made from PETG, which can withstand high impact, as used in car and motorbike racing. But this is not a competition car, just a handsome head turner.
If you fancy this look on your B or C, roadster or GT, rubber or chrome, you can have the car that MG almostmade – just call Vic Birch. I must say that I have no connection with Vic other than as a satisfied customer, but I do like the result. MGB50 at Blenheim Palace was a rather soggy September Sunday, but at least my ‘new’ MGB was there – and attracting admiring glances." (You can see more on these wings here).

Bob selected MG MGB & MGB GT – The Essential Buyer's Guide by Roger Williams as his prize!

A small investment in this book could save you a fortune ... With the aid of this book's step-by-step expert guidance, you'll discover all you need to know about the car you want to buy. Unique point system will help you to place the cars value in relation to condition. This is an important investment - don't buy a car without this book's help.

More info.





Do you have an interesting car/motorcycle with a story to tell?
We want to see it! Send photos & description to prize@veloce.co.uk
We will pick one a month, and any we feature will win an Essential Buyer's Guide (worth £9.99 / $19.95) of your choice.
Click below to browse the whole series.

THE MOTOR TRADE IN THE GOOD OLD YEARS

"You don't have to an MGB guru to appreciate this book, this book will be a blast from the past for many who worked in the motor trade during 'the good old years' before the axe started to fall and motor companies outsourced overseas."

Thanks to Burton Mail for this review of Don Hayter’s MGB Story - The birth of the MGB in MG’s Abingdon Design & Development Office.

Click here for more info about the book.

IN STOCK! DON HAYTER'S MGB STORY #MGB50

Don Hayter, Chief Engineer MG Abingdon tells us about his new book ...

New! Don Hayter’s MGB Story - The birth of the MGB in MG’s Abingdon Design & Development Office
The story of MG Design & Development department, by MG’s Chief Engineer, Don Hayter, this book covers models and prototypes from 1956 to the close of the factory in 1980. Featuring behind the scenes anecdotes and personal accounts MG in its heyday. More info.

VIDEO: DON HAYTER'S MGB STORY #MGB50

Don Hayter, Chief Engineer MG Abingdon tells us about his new book ...

Coming soon! Don Hayter’s MGB Story - The birth of the MGB in MG’s Abingdon Design & Development Office
The story of MG Design & Development department, by MG’s Chief Engineer, Don Hayter, this book covers models and prototypes from 1956 to the close of the factory in 1980. Featuring behind the scenes anecdotes and personal accounts MG in its heyday. More info.

A RECORD 58 FIA MGBS FOR MGB50 RACE

A record breaking fifty-eight FIA MGBs will compete in the official MGB50 celebration race at MGLive! on Saturday 23rd June.

The MG Car Club's 62nd successive Silverstone meeting has attracted a mouth-watering grid of the world's best MGBs; competitors will contest for honours on the full GP circuit.

Supported by British Motor Heritage, the prestigious 50-minute race is for FIA-spec MGBs running on Dunlop Historic Tyres and includes a mandatory pit stop.

MGLive! is the world's largest MG event and attracts 20,000 enthusiasts from every corner of the globe. The MG Car Club's award-winning weekend begins a trilogy of high-profile MGB50 events in 2012; celebrations are set to continue at the Silverstone Classic (July) and at Blenheim Palace (September).

Off track, the MGLive! MGB50 street party will assume centre stage: thousands of examples of Abingdon's most famous export are anticipated to descend on Silverstone.

Notable cars competing in the MGLive! MGB50 celebration race include ex-works cars 6DBL, BRX854B, DRX256C, DRX255C, 2GLL and LBL591E, along with other historic period MGBs, including HGT576C, 665FXF, the WSM MGB and a Jacques Coune MGB Berlinette.

In another exciting development, former MG works driver Paddy Hopkirk will be on hand to present awards to the overall and category winners of the MGB50 Celebration Race. Later that evening, the popular Irishman will be Guest of Honour at the MG Car Club's annual Silverstone dinner in the Jimmy Brown Suite, where a host of former MG works drivers will also be in attendance.

Aside from the MGB50 celebration race, the MGCC's usual comprehensive programme of track action will be taking place.

Dave Saunders, Motorsport Director of the MG Car Club said: "The worldwide response to the official MGB50 race has been overwhelming. The MG Car Club's annual Silverstone event has tremendous pedigree and competitors were applying to enter the celebration race as early as December last year.

"Watching a rolling start with 58 FIA MGBs roaring into Copse really will be spectacular and the whole race will act as a fitting tribute to one of the world's greatest sports cars. The MG Car Club is proud to be staging the official MGB50 celebration race and our organisation continues to be at the forefront of the worldwide MG movement."

John Yea from British Motor Heritage said: "British Motor Heritage is proud to be supporting this fantastic race. I am delighted that our products have enabled so many of these great sports cars to continue to be enjoyed 50 years after they were launched."

Forthcoming in 2012! Memories from MG’s Abingdon Design Office - including the birth of the MGB by Don Haytor.
The story of MG Design & Development department, by MG’s Chief Engineer, Don Hayter, this book covers models and prototypes from 1956 to the close of the factory in 1980. Featuring behind the scenes anecdotes and personal accounts MG in its heyday.

Click here for more info about the book!

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF THE MGB AT THE SILVERSTONE CLASSIC 2012

This summer’s 2012 Silverstone Classic powered by the AA will be one of just three official showpiece events celebrating the 50th anniversary of the MGB, widely hailed as one of Britain’s most cherished sportscars.

The world’s biggest classic motor racing festival has teamed up with the MG Car Club and the MGB50 committee to establish a special trilogy of birthday parties to mark what’s a very special golden anniversary for the enduring and endearing MGB.

The celebrations for the world famous ‘B’ open with MGLive! in June and conclude with a static showcase gathering at Blenheim Palace in September. In between comes this year’s all-action, three-day Silverstone Classic, staged at the home of the British Formula 1 Grand Prix from 20-22 July. All MGB owners attending these three special trilogy events will be presented with a unique commemorative rally plaque exclusive to the individual festivity.

As well as featuring the very best of historic racing plus live music from classic rock bands, the Silverstone Classic is renowned for its huge car club displays often highlighting significant milestones in the history of iconic marques. Last year’s Classic marked the 50th anniversary of another truly great British sportscar when more than 1000 E-type Jaguars helped to establish a new Guinness World Record. Now the focus will switch to the much-loved MGB, first launched to the public at the Earls Court Motor Show in 1962.

“We are very proud to welcome the MGB50 celebration to the Silverstone Classic,” said event director Nick Wigley. “The ‘B’ is at the heart of the classic car movement in the UK and, as part of this trilogy of special events, we look forward to giving owners a great rocking and racing experience. This is a fantastic era for celebrating golden milestones in the British sportscar industry – last year the Silverstone Classic honoured the 50th birthday of the E-type with a Guinness World Record; this year we will be paying homage to 50 years of the remarkable MGB.”

In total more than half a million MGBs were built between 1962 and 1980 in Abingdon – home of the illustrious MG factory situated just down the road from Silverstone to the south of Oxford. From the original Mark I roadster, through to the elegant MGB GT and the fearsome GT V8, the evergreen MGB has endeared itself as one of the most affordable and adored models whether as a first sportscar, desirable convertible, potent coupé or restoration project. The ‘B’ also enjoyed some notable racing and rallying successes during the Sixties with victories, either outright or in class, in a number of major endurance sportscar events (Brands Hatch, Nurburgring, Sebring, Targa Florio, Spa-Francorchamps) as well as the Monte Carlo Rally.

With its rich mix of on-track competition and off-track entertainment, the Silverstone Classic will provide the perfect backdrop for the MGB50 with more than 800 historic race cars in race action and 7,000 classic cars on display across the weekend. Adding to the non-stop party atmosphere there will be flat out family fun for everyone with live music from Mike & The Mechanics and Adam Ant in the evenings plus a free fun fair, retail village, air displays, demos and the new AA World feature with its own wealth of attractions. So, whether coming for the day or taking advantage of the many camping options to enjoy the full three-day festival, MGB owners will have a truly memorable 50th birthday celebration.

“It’s shaping up to be a tremendous year for the B,” confirmed MG Car Club General Manager Julian White. “Each of the three events offers MGB owners something different and I know many enthusiasts will be keen to attend all three celebrations. The MG Car Club is based in Abingdon, the spiritual home of the marque, so we know first-hand how much the MGB means to people. So it’s only natural we have big plans for the MGB50 anniversary.”

MGB50 Chairman John Watson added: “The two main MG Clubs are working together to enjoy 12 months of MGB celebrations to mark the 50 years of ‘The Great British Sports Car’.”

Full details of the 2012 Silverstone Classic powered by the AA – including information on ‘Early Bird’ ticket offers and a comprehensive selection of on-site camping facilities – are available via the event’s official www.silverstoneclassic.com website.

Source: Silverstone

Forthcoming in 2012! Memories from MG’s Abingdon Design Office - including the birth of the MGB by Don Haytor.
The story of MG Design & Development department, by MG’s Chief Engineer, Don Hayter, this book covers models and prototypes from 1956 to the close of the factory in 1980. Featuring behind the scenes anecdotes and personal accounts MG in its heyday.

Click here for more info about the book!