{"product_id":"mg-century-the-mg-story-2-book-set","title":"MG Century \u0026 The MG Story 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\nThe 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 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. \u003ci\u003eThe MG Story\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 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.","brand":"Midlife Classic Cars","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47928946426136,"sku":"KIT9780760383155\/9781906133979","price":99.85,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0057\/9813\/3831\/files\/kit97807603831559781906133979.jpg?v=1772254813","url":"https:\/\/www.midlifeclassiccars.com\/cs\/products\/mg-century-the-mg-story-2-book-set","provider":"MidlifeClassicCars.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}