From the outset, MG mainly designed lightweight roadsters, entirely focused on driving pleasure. The true sportsmen for whom MGs were intended usually drove with the top down, regardless of the weather. After the war, the concept gradually became more mainstream with the launch of the MGA.

With over 500,000 units built between 1962 and 1980, the MGB remained not only the best-selling MG, but also the most produced roadster in automotive history, across all brands. It was not until the arrival of the Mazda MX-5 in 1989 that this record was broken.

Since its inception, MG has had several owners throughout its particularly turbulent history. Owned by the Nuffield Group until 1952, the company then became part of the BMC (British Motor Corporation) group, the result of a merger with Austin. The group became British Leyland in 1968, then Austin Rover in 1983, before being renamed Rover Group, then MG Rover. After the latter went bankrupt in 2005, the MG name was bought by the Chinese group SAIC in 2007. Since then, the brand has completely changed its approach and is now focusing on compact cars and hybrid and electric SUVs.

Enthusiasts of pre-war roadsters are primarily interested in the T-type (TA, TB, TC, TD and TF), which remained in production until 1955. While the MGA continues to attract a connoisseur audience, the MGB has enjoyed unwavering popularity since it entered the collector's market, with purists favouring models produced up to 1974, which are characterised by their chrome bumpers and still very vintage interior.

In 1924, engineer Cecil Kimber, an employee of Morris Garages, a subsidiary of the Nuffield Group, began developing sports cars with special bodywork based on Morris models. In 1928, the company changed its name to The M.G. Car Company, while remaining under the control of Morris.

Generally using simple, easy-to-maintain mass-produced mechanics, MGs are not temperamental cars in this respect. However, this should not prevent you from carrying out some basic checks.

• Vehicle history: check that the service log has been duly completed and that all work has been carried out by competent workshops specialising in British cars. Ideally, you should have a complete history of the vehicle since it left the factory.
• General condition and specific inspections: a thorough inspection by a specialist may be necessary, particularly for the most fragile models, such as the MGA Twin Cam, whose engine is as brilliant as it is demanding, or the MGF, whose suspension and cylinder head gasket are known weaknesses. However, for models prior to 1995, the primary concern is potential corrosion of the bodywork and certain structural components.
• Maintenance and repair costs: routine maintenance is not expensive for these cars. A complete mechanical overhaul can be costly, but this is rare given the mechanical robustness of most models.
• Reliability and risk factors: while the engines are generally robust, the same cannot be said for the electrical system, which is often unreliable in older MGs. You should also check that the cooling system is in good condition on all models, particularly the Rover engine in the MGB GT V8 and R-V8.

By taking all these precautions, you will avoid any potential disappointments that could result from a hasty purchase decision.

To find out more about the different models and choose the one that best suits your profile, please do not hesitate to request a Custom Search.

According to LVA, the most popular MG among collectors, the MGB, ranges in price from €10,000 for a 1970s coupé with American bumpers (known as "rubber bumpers") to €24,000 for the first roadsters with chrome bumpers. MGAs are more expensive: expect to pay up to €45,000 for a rare Twin Cam roadster. Finally, Midgets from the 1960s and modern MGFs and TFs remain below €10,000.