{"product_id":"mg-century-mg-s-abingdon-factory-2-book-set","title":"MG Century \u0026 MG’s Abingdon Factory 2 Book Set","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCelebrate and explore 100 years of MG cars with this impressive volume featuring expert commentary, historical images, period ads, and contemporary photography.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMG, 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 \u003cb\u003eMorris Garages\u003c\/b\u003e was in a position to begin manufacture of its own cars under the MG name.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMG 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 \u003cb\u003eMG TC\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003eTD\u003c\/b\u003e, and \u003cb\u003eTF\u003c\/b\u003e followed by thoroughly modern \u003cb\u003eMGA\u003c\/b\u003e,\u003cb\u003e MGB\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003eMGB GT\u003c\/b\u003e, and \u003cb\u003eMidget\u003c\/b\u003e. \u003cb\u003eMagnettes \u003c\/b\u003eand the \u003cb\u003e1100\u003c\/b\u003e offered options for those wanting sedans and more practical cars.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMG 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 \u003cb\u003eMGB GT V8\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003eMG Metro Group B rally car\u003c\/b\u003e, and \u003cb\u003eMG\u003ci\u003eF\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e. 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAuthored by marque expert David Knowles, The\u003ci\u003e MG Century: 100 Years of Safety Fast!\u003c\/i\u003e is a fitting celebration of one of the automotive world’s oldest and most beloved brands—and a must-have for every car enthusiast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\nThis book is a pictorial study of the workers who built the legendary line of MG sports cars. With over 160 period photos depicting factory life, car building, and the war effort, this is a fascinating story.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The demand for these fiery little cars exploded, eventually pushing to a massive facility outside of Abingdon. The factory included everything needed to build the vehicles, as well as soccer and cricket fields, a pool hall, and a hockey rink. The facility even had its own volunteer fire department, it was so well developed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e MG Abingdon‘s famous racing reputation gained in the 1930s made it the obvious place to site BMC's Competition department with its maiden venture the 1955 Le Mans 24 hour race.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The many original pictures in this book chronicle every aspect of the factory, from its opening amidst great euphoria in 1930 to its closing amidst great recriminations in 1980.\u003cbr\u003e  ","brand":"Midlife Classic Cars","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48625295556888,"sku":"KIT9780760383155\/9781787111158","price":69.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0057\/9813\/3831\/files\/kit97807603831559781787111158.jpg?v=1772254852","url":"https:\/\/www.midlifeclassiccars.com\/cs\/products\/mg-century-mg-s-abingdon-factory-2-book-set","provider":"MidlifeClassicCars.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}