EXPLORE OUR HISTORY

After being found in 1920, MG Motor has come a long way and has had its own landmarks down the history lane.

1920

1924

MG MORRIS GARAGES IS FOUNDED
Cecil Kimber joined Morris Cars in 1921 and became General Manager of Morris in 1922. He began producing his own tuned versions of Morris cars to boost sales. These cars took the name from the place they were sold, the Morris Garage.The first MG was the 14/28, based upon the Morris Oxford.

1929

A MOVE TO ABINGDON
MG’s increasing popularity meant the company soon outgrew its original facilities. MG would eventually move to a town that became synonymous with the marque, Abingdon on Thames. Abingdon would play host to MG production for the next fifty years.

1930-1949

1930

THE MG CAR CLUB IS BORN
On the 12th of October 1930 the MG Car Club is formed. 30 MGs attend a meeting at the Roebuck Hotel, near Stevenage. The Club grew quickly and attracted over 500 members by 1933.

1931

THE FIRST RECORD BREAKER
MG EX120 ‘The Magic Midget’ sets a land speed record, becoming the first 750cc car to exceed 100, hitting a speed of 103.13mph

1933

MG WIN IN ITALY
MG become the first non-Italian marque to win the Mille Miglia (1000 Mile) race in Italy. MG’s K3 Magnette took a class win and MG’s place in the world of motorsport was cemented.

1945

AMERICA FALLS IN LOVE WITH MG
World War II saw thousands of American servicemen head to Great Britain and Europe as part of the war effort – during their time in the UK they came across the MG T Type sports cars and many took them home to America. Britain’s export drive saw huge numbers and the USA became MG’s most important export market.

1950-1959

1950

MGLIVE! IS BORN
The first Silverstone International Race Meeting, today known as MGLive! is held. The event has been held annually every year since.

1952

THE BRITISH MOTOR CORPORATION IS FORMED
Following World War II there was a need for restructuring in the British Motor Industry, this saw MG incorporated into one company that included its partners such as Morris and Riley alongside rivals like Austin and Wolseley.

1955

THE MGA
Arguably the most beautiful car to wear the MG octagon, the MGA arrived in 1955. Originally powered by a 1500cc engine, this was increased to 1600cc in 1959. Alongside these cars MG also produced a Twin-cam model, producing 106bhp. Over 100,000 MGAs were produced, with almost 95,000 of these exported from the UK.

1957

RECORD BREAKERS
EX181, based on the MGA, was taken to the Bonneville Salts flats as MG returned to the world of record breaking. The 1489cc engine developed 290bhp and legendary driver Sir Stirling Moss took the car to an incredible 245.64mph.

1959

ANOTHER RECORD BREAKER
MG returned to the salt two years and set more records. American driver Phil Hill took the MG to 254.91mph. The enlarged 1506cc supercharged, twin cam engine, developed over 300bhp and remains the fastest MG ever.