The quest for MGs
By Sonja and Ernst Luhti, Melbourne Australia.
While touring Europe in 2024, we managed to visit a few more sites with MG history.
Our first stop was a visit to Nuffield Place, 30min drive South of Oxford. This was William and Elizabeth Morris home from 1933 until William Morris death in 1963. It is now a National Trust house and can be visited on guided tours. Their home and personal possessions are just as they left them, the decor and furnishings intact. Including Lord Nuffield’s humble bedroom with a secret built-in workshop. Best way to treat insomnia he thought. A very down to earth home, considering Lord Nuffield’s wealth.
While staying in Oxford, we made a detour to visit also Kimber House, with a tour of the premises and the exhibition. We walked away with a few more pieces of merchandise.
Next stop was the British Motor Museum in Gaydon. We bought an annual pass in 2023, so we had to go back. The British Motor Museum is home to the world’s largest collection of historic British Cars; it boasts over 400 cars in its collection, plus other artefacts, memorabilia and archive of the British motor industry. It consists of the main building telling the history of the British motor industry and the Collections centre. The collections centre houses the Jaguar Trust collection and on the upper floor all the special cars and prototypes that cannot be housed in the main building – a treasure trove in itself.
Entering the main building, we were greeted by Old Number 1. Turning into centre stage, we were greeted not only by the MG prototypes ADO34, ADO70 and MG EX-E on their matchbox boxes. But there was something new in dark green – MG RDX 60.
The RDX60 was revealed at the Longbridge plant’s Conference Centre in November 2003. It was dubbed MG Rover’s last chance saloon. Based on the underpinnings of a Rover 75, there was hope that this prototype could be developed to production. The ailing MG Rover company, after being dropped by BMW, desperately needed a new model. The RDX60 development team had to work with very limited resources as the previous design department at Gaydon was transferred to Ford (Land Rover) as part of Rovers break up by BMW in 2000. Tom Walkingshaw racing was engaged to assist but went into receivership in 2003 and with it any hope to put RDX60 into production.
In 2023, after considerable lobbying, SAIC/MG UK agreed to transfer RDX60 to the British Motor Museum. At the same time the first 3 MGF running prototypes, the very first MGF production car (VIN 251), the MG TF Coupe and the Rover TCV were also handed over. RDX60 and the very first MGF are on display, whereas it may take some for the other cars to resurface – considerable restoration work is required.
William Morris original office had always been at the Museum. It was recently joined by Herbert Austin’s original office. The two offices are now side by side with holographic characters telling the story of Austin and Morris.
The Collections building contains special cars and prototypes. This includes the very first MGF production car (VIN 251), the 1993 Metro van engineering mule (disguised as Pizza van) used to test the mid engine configuration of the MGF and the prototype of the MG6R4 rally car from 1983. There is a detailed write up on the MG 6R4 in the Sept/Oct 2024 editions of Safety Fast.
In addition, there was the 1989 MG DR2 sports car prototype (based on V8 TVR), the MG B GT Safety study and the very last MG to leave the Abingdon production line in 1980 (MG BGT LE), plus many more. Plenty to see and fill a full day.
We then did a quick detour to Sonderborg in the South of Denmark to attend the 2024 Als Run. 54 crews met for a fun filled weekend to tour the country and being challenged by:
- 10 Driving tests that challenged your knowledge of the height, width and length of your MG; Physical and mental fitness was tested by pushing a beer glass to the edge of the table, pallet hopping and throwing rings on a board with numbers.
- Khanacross: testing your flexibility to lean out of the car and transfer flags in and out of buckets.
- The rocker cover race: hotly contested, with racers across all ages trying their luck.
The Danes definitely know how to organise a party and compete.
Then it was back to the UK for a bit of HERO rallying and testing out an MGA. A story already told in the October issue of Wheel Spin.
More on the MG RDX60
Specifications: 2497cc V6 engine, 177hp
https://www.aronline.co.uk/concepts-and-prototypes/mg-rover-rdx60/
https://www.aronline.co.uk/news/mg-rover-prototypes-saved/