Books
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The Magic of MG
When Cecil Kimber began tuning and modifying Morris cars in the early ‘twenties, he little realised that these embryonic M.G. Cars would establish a name which, in the course of time, was to be¬come that of Britain’s best known sports-car. Mike Allison, a keen M.G. Enthu¬siast, very involved in the M.G. Car Club and at one time working at Abingdon, traces the history of M.G. Cars, with the use of around 400 photographs, from the early days of the Bullnose MG, 14/40, 18/80, 18/100, through the triple M cars (Midgets, Magna and Magnette models of the 1930’s), the pre war comfort models VA, SA and WA, and the immortal T series cars. Then he moves onto postwar production of the Y Types, ZA and ZB range, 1100, 1300 and finally the A, B, C model ranges. The achievements in competition do not go unrecorded, with a selection of illustrations showing cars in events, such as the pre war Mile Miglia, and record breaking cars such as EX181. Photographs of all the models and most of the specialist coach¬work show the interesting de¬velopment of a marque that has won the hearts of many a man.
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Everyday modifications for your MGF and TF
The books in the Everyday Modifications series from Crowood are designed to guide classic car owners through the workshop skills needed to make their cars easier to use and enjoy. MG expert Roger Parker offers his advice on a range of modifications and changes can be applied to the MGF and MG TF, which will not impinge on the practical daily use of the cars. With important and specific safety information and advice throughout, the book also covers: body and interior changes; brake, suspension and steering upgrades; wheel and tyre options; powertrain upgrades; electrical system upgrade options and finally, setting up and specific maintenance aspects. Illustrated with over 450 images, this is a valuable technical resource for the MGF and TF owner.
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MG Sports Cars 1929 – 1936
Your definitive guide to MGs from 1929 through to 1936.
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Original MGA The Restorer’s Guide
With their strong mechanical elements, solid construction and useful performance, few classic British sports cars are quite so practical to own today as the MGAs built from 1955 to 1962. The aim of this book is to show, in words and pictures, how MGAs altered in detail through the course of production, in order to enable owners, enthusiasts and prospective purchasers to identify the parts, finishes and equipment that are correct for their car. Colour photography of outstanding specimens shows every permutation of MGA specification in remarkable detail. The MGA Restorer’s Guide is accepted by classic car owners, buyers and enthusiasts as the definitive source of advice on correct original and authentic specifications and equipment. Information has been drawn from factory records, parts lists and catalogues, as well as the accumulated knowledge of the most respected restorers.
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Call it MGA
A comprehensive following of 50 years of the history and character of the model from pre-production concepts and prototypes through modern day activities. This includes many stories of special cars and special people and the way the cars have been used (and abused) over the decades. At times the cars were near orphans with low value, so it is a wonder how so many MGAs have survived, and are still with us today. The book pays tribute to the unique character of this particular model and the reasons why people find them so endearing. It covers variants and modified cars, the motorsport efforts of works cars and privateers, a myriad of speed records and competition titles, and distribution of the cars around the world.
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MG V8 by David Knowles
Tells the story of each MG V8 model from concept to development and production. Illustrated with 400 pictures including concept cars, design sketches and specially commissioned photography. Interviews with the original V8 design and engineering teams.
Detailed information tables of notable cars and their chassis numbers for each model, plus special editions and colour charts. Background on development and testing work on each model. Rare input and insight from many of the suppliers and specialists who helped develop the cars. Information on sales and servicing literature, production changes, product placement, celebrity stories and much more.
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Original MGB with MGC and MGB GT V8 Restorers guide
- Hardcover: 152 pages
- Publisher: Herridge & Sons Ltd
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1906133182
- ISBN-13: 978-1906133184
- Product Dimensions: 23.5 x 1.9 x 30.5 cm
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RV8 The Manufacturing Story
The authors have produced a detailed, factual description of the RV8 manufacturing process together with an outline of the staff involved. The content is based on material in the Club’s archives, interviews with the management and production staff involved with the RV8 production and ensures that this fascinating detail of RV8 history is not lost to posterity.
The book begins with an interesting outline of the formation of the 16 strong production team involved in RV8 manufacture and their duties. It then covers the manufacturing process from body shell build, painting, to vehicle assembly. Further chapters also describe the assembly facility layout, build documentation produced and vehicle production dates. A later chapter on anecdotes told to the authors by the various production team members adds further human interest to the story. Also included is a timeline of RV8 production, five detailed appendices (eg monthly production stats and colour totals by market) and a glossary of terms. The book contains many quality photos of the production process and staff which have never been published before.
The book is not intended to be the equivalent of a Haynes maintenance manual. It provides the reader with a detailed description of the RV8 manufacturing process and its human side and consequently will become a valuable future record.
For an MG focused book it is probably unique in its approach to the subject and is an interesting read in terms of content and style. It is an A4 sized book with a quality feel to it, although it is not a hardback. There is a contents page but no separate index although it is debatable whether one is necessary considering the nature of the book. -
The Works MGs second editon
The Works MGs now in a redesigned and better illustrated second edition, this is the authoritative story of all the MGs prepared for international competition events with the support of the MG Car Company. The coverage ranges from the classic trials of the mid-1920s, pre-war racing and record-breaking, to the post-war achievements of the works cars entered in races and rallies by the BMC Competitions Department. Co-authored by well-known MG experts, this much-admired book was described by Classic & Sports Car magazine as ‘an excellent, entertaining read’.
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Sale!
MG Midgets in detail 1929-1955
When the first MG Midget appeared at the 1928 London Motor Show few would have thought that it would be the car to save the recently established marque from closure, a fate that affected many others during the depression that followed the 1929 Wall Street Crash. Sales previously had been of relatively expensive cars to the wealthy and the other new MG on display, the 18/80 was even more costly. Right from the start, sales of the M-type Midget looked promising and soon eclipsed those of the larger MGs. These and those that followed dominated the sports car market in the 1930s and post-war, when a large proportion of the output from the Abingdon MG factory was exported.
This book gives details of each model, with a technical description, competition history and special bodied versions listed, all backed up by photographs, both period and more recent. -
MGA The Revolutionary MG
The MGA truly marked a revolution in MG sports car design, with its appearance quite unlike any previous production car from the celebrated British marque. Entering production in the summer of 1955, it broke with the time-honoured tradition of narrow-gutted, flat-sides, upright styling, with the distinctive large grille, exposed headlamps, separate wings and sharply cut-off tail that had serviced the majority of MG sports cars for well over thirty years. Many die-hard MG enthusiasts of the time were understandably outraged, but the decision to break with tradition proved to be a good one: over 100,000 cars were produced over the model’s seven-year lifetime.
This book from celebrated author David Knowles covers:
- The circumstances that led to the momentous decision to make such a fundamental design change
- The production, publicity and evolution of each and every MGA variant from launch in 1955 to the end of production in 1962, with specification tables for each model
- The largely untold story of overseas assembly in Australia, Ireland, Mexico and South Africa
- Profiles of the people who had crucial roles in the development of the MGA, with input from many of the individuals and their families
- Comprehensive coverage of racing and rallying in Europe, including the MGA entries at Sebring Twelve Hour race and where many of the cars ended up
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MG Century by David Knowles
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.
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The MG Story 1923-1980
The first MGs were a small number of cars sold with special bodywork by Morris Garages, but by the 1930s the MG had come to be recognised as the archetypical sporting car. The rapid development of the marque, and the cars’ domination in their class of competition entry lists, is down to the energy, enthusiasm and skills of a small number of key personalities. Here, as well as in-depth studies of all models produced, there are biographies of those most involved with MG development, record breaking and motor sport. This book sets out to recount, in the form of a series of articles, the story of the marque from 1923 until the Abingdon factory closed in 1980. At that time this small market town housed what was probably the world’s largest producer of sports cars. Many of the competition efforts by both factory-supported entries and private owners are covered in detail and help show why MGs became so well known. To illustrate the text there are both black-and-white archive photographs from the author’s collection and a great many modern colour pictures of restored cars. Period advertising material has also been included. The wide range of topics covered gives the reader a real insight into the evolution of the company and its cars, and into the unique character of MGs that is the reason why they remain so popular.
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T Register – Mike Sherrell’s TCs Forever-More
Mike Sherrell’s sequel to TCs Forever has proved to be very popular, so that we have ordered more copies from a second print run.
As Mike himself describes, it’s ‘a companion to TCs Forever! and an aid to survival in the 21st century’.
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T Register Mike Sherrell’s TCs Forever!
An appreciation and reference book by Michael Sherrell.
This superlative book is a must have for anyone owning or contemplating buying a TC. -
KIM A BIOGRAPHY OF MG FOUNDER CECIL KIMBER
MG, the world’s most-loved make of sports car, was created in the 1920s by Cecil Kimber – invariably known as Kim. Rising above disability, with his energy, enthusiasm and vision, Kimber became a leading figure in the British motor industry. Initially placing sporty bodies on Morris chassis, within a few years he had built M.G. into the leading European manufacturer of sports cars with an impressive record of competition successes. He survived industrial upheaval only to fall victim to the venomous internal politics of M.G.’s parent company. Sacked from his high-profile job, he was preparing to bounce back when he lost his life in a needless accident. Respected businessman, wayward husband, fallible parent – Cecil Kimber was a man of surprising contrasts. Here for the first time is the colourful story of the man behind those famous initials, published to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the first M.G.
Kim: A Biography of M.G. Founder Cecil Kimber
by Jon Pressnellhttps://online.flipbuilder.com/uhzw/fqnw/
