Marque: MG - Company History & Models - Cars By Brand

Past: The first MG version of BL’s five door family hatchback arrived in 1983 and was powered by a 1.6 litre ‘R’ Series engine, fed via twin Weber carbs and driving through a close ratio, Volkswagen-derived five-speed ‘box.

Replacing the 1600 in 1984 was the fuel-injected 2.0 EFI, featuring a two-litre ‘O’ Series overhead camshaft engine delivering a peppy 115bhp.

Present: Admirable performance, generous interior space and easy maintenance come as standard. Yet these models are still little known and under-rated, so are often overlooked and usually inexpensive, representing excellent value.Weber carb models were rarely ran right however.

Future: Interest in the few remaining examples is sure to increase but as novelty value mostly and as good as the car is, it won’t become a classic.

Past: Launched in 1959, Farina-styled Magnettes didn’t provide as sporting a drive as the previous ZA/ZBs, and so failed capture the imagination of MG fans. All the same, these upmarket if deliberately ‘badge-engineered’ Morris Oxfords were fair cruisers, comfortable and well-equipped. Improved considerably in 1961 with the MkIV and discontinued in 1968, they were built in relatively small numbers.

Present: Not a patch on the ZA/ZB to drive with far inferior running gear, the Magnette is a slightly tweaked Oxford rather than a Cortina GT rival but a nice relaxing sporty family classic. Many boast MGB power which is a good mod.

Future: As time goes on the biggest problem is going to be finding one to buy; already the earlier Mark IIIs are almost extinct. Prices of good examples bound to creep up but not for us really.

Always an underrated car, the MG Montego was a worthy rival to similar jazzed up products from Ford and Vauxhall and, in its Turbo form, blisteringly fast and extremely unruly. Unlike the tetchy poor starting Weber-carb Maestro, the Montego was much better sorted when launched in 1984 complete with talking dashboard (which was mercifully only fitted for a few months), but it was the Turbo that established the MG Montego as a sports saloon of genuine quality. Post-1987 cars have better-sorted torque and suspension,
plus a more comfortable interior, but by then the curse of Austin-Rover’s image had blighted one of the most promising post-war MGs that promised a good deal.

The MG-badged Metro did not meet with universal favour with certain Abingdon enthusiasts but it has as much right to carry the Octagon badge as the (Austin A60 derived) MGB! A respectable 72bhp was wrung from the ubiquitous A-Series engine and MG Metro owners were further treated to alloy wheels and jazzy red(!) seat belts. The following year a turbocharger became an option, which boosted engine output to a highly useful 93bhp plus as it retained same high compression cylinder head meant little turbo lag. But old style four-speed gearbox was not an entirely welcomed. Post 1985 facelift models were at last fitted with a VW-derived five-speed unit and 16 years after the last MG Metro left the factory they are becoming fairly collectable yet scarce.

Past: An uprade of the of the Austin-Healey ‘Frogeye’ Sprite, in turn derived from the Austin A35; Midgets provide sports car motoring on a budget, and liked by buyers because of their affordability and willing nature. Engine capacities grew from 948cc to 1098cc then 1275cc and finally to 1493cc (Triumph unit). Mk3s 1275s are generally regarded as the best; raised height rubber bumpers least liked.

Present: More fun to punt around than the MGB, these compact classics are still available at sensible prices and provide more smiles per mile than their size and pace suggests. Not fast but crisp handling compensates although cabin is too tight, spartan for some.

Future: The future is rosy for Midgets, since virtually all components, including full bodyshells, are available.

The worry is spending too much on one.

Past: Arriving in 1985, the Turbo version was similar in to the EFi.

However, in addition to ‘MG Turbo’ graphics, a deeper front airdam, a larger rear spoiler and wider sports alloy wheels, the newcomer’s pace was hugely impressive, due to its Garrett AiResearch turbocharger and 150bhp.

Present: This is the ultimate sporting Montego, still revered for its , supercarlike performance while at the same time providing generous accommodation for a family plus their luggage. The Turbo is ve ry much a driver’s car, but needs to be treated with respect, particularly in the wet where handling can be frantic.

Excellent value for money if you can find a good one that is.

Future: This model will be talked about for years to come, and the remaining examples enjoyed by those lucky enough to find one. A true modern MG!

Past: When TA Midget was introduced in 1936, it was everything a sports car should be, with flowing, open bodywork and good performance. The pre-War TB and mildly amended post-War TC evolved from the original design. The 1950 TD benefited from independent front suspension plus more precise rack and pinion steering, and the 1953 TF had lower, sleeker bodywork.

However, by then the T Series cars appeared terribly dated.

Present: T Series cars are sought-after due to of their old-fashioned charm, and prices remain high. They are relatively easy to maintain at home, and spares availability is good.

Future: Look after a T Series MG and in monetary value you won’t lose at all.

Spares should be available long into the future too, and there’s excellent club support into the bargain.

Past: In 1953 the ZA was regarded as a thoroughly modern sporting saloon, featuring clean styling and BMC’s torquey, B-Series engine, equipped with twin SU carbs. Rack and pinion steering plus independent front suspension meant trim handling, and the cars were well liked as a poor man’s Jaguar.

Higher compression ZB Magnette of 1956 was the fastest 1.5-litre saloon of its time. Revise with upmarket Varitone model featured that year.

Present: Still highly regarded, not least because the ZB’s successors were nothing like as sporting. The Z series models remain eminently practical for a family – a beginners’ MK2 Jaguar? – although performance isn’t notable.

MGA tune or later MGB engine are popular retro fits, plus Ford gearbox.

Future: Asking prices are set to increase as good cars become coveted.

Past: Replacing the much-loved MGA, the new, unitary construction 1.8-litre MGB roadster was well-received if hardly cutting edge, even for 1962.

Fastback GT arrived in 1965, and Mark 2 revisions came in 1968. The strange rubber bumpers and increased ride height on later versions were due to catering for vital USA. market. Further detail changes were made until the model’s discontinuation in 1980.

Present: The ‘B’ is still widely regarded as the most practical classic sports can you can buy. Handling is a little ‘soft’ and Bs are not quick but lots of upgrades are available. Rubber bumper cars ride better and top value.

Future: Will always be loved, but with so many around prices will only increase for genuinely top cars. Fine club and spares support so are always easy and cheap to own and run.

Past: Successor to the Big Healey, the three-litre, six pot MGC of 1967 was produced in roadster and GT forms but they didn’t sell in huge numbers. Press criticism of nose-heavy handling and lazy performance largely killed it.

Revised gearing in ‘68 only real change to the car’s short lifespan.

Present: MGC is easy and pleasant to drive but is no hot rod. These cars are highly prized today by MG enthusiasts, because of their lazy nature and fine touring abilities while good modern tyres have negated many of the handling quirks. Good as autos, too.

Future: The rarely encountered MGC will increasingly be seen as more desirable than the MGB on which it was based and so prices are destined to rise due to rarity and its notorious past.

Not as easy to restore as an MGB however. Period tuning gear coveted.