When is the true centenary of MG? | Axon's Automotive Anorak

Triumph began by making motorcycles long before it made its first four-wheeled car, 100 years ago in 1923, so no issue there. In MG’s case, however, the introduction date of the famous British sportscar make has long been the contentious cause for much debate and dispute. Although MG existed as a company in 1923, the marque did not actually build its first car until 1924, 99 years ago. It’s agreed by most motoring historians that 1924 should actually be recorded as MG’s centenary, although some might argue that the first ‘real’ MG sportscar was not made until later in the 1920s (1925 or 1927), as up until that point, all MG models had basically been modified and ‘tarted-up’ re-branded Morris Bullnose models.

History in the main corresponds with this, with the MG company marking its 80th birthday here at the Goodwood Motor Circuit back during the Revival in 2004. That same year, MG’s then custodian – MG Rover – celebrated the brand’s 80th birthday with a limited edition MG TF 80th Anniversary model, with unique seat trim emblazoned with the MG logo and 1924-2004. Five years later, MG’s new Chinese owners – SAIC Motor – introduced a revised special edition TF85 LE 85th anniversary model, as if to reinforce the original 1924 date of the marque’s founding as Morris Garages in 36/37 Queen Street and Longwall Street, in Oxford, by which time the well-known MG Octagon logo had also made its first appearance. 

To add to the confusion and disputed uncertainty, however, back in 1975 MG’s long-term owners British Leyland (BL) marked 50 years of ‘proper’ MG sports car production by introducing the special Jubilee MGB GT, built in 750 examples, all painted in British Racing Green with dominant gold side body decals, a commemorative 50th Jubilee brass medallion and marching gold-painted MGB V8 alloy wheels.

The first MG motor car was the 11.9hp ‘Raworth’ Sports, a sporting Morris Bullnose-based 1,548cc side-valve two-seater, built in 1924 and costing a hearty £350. Just six of these were made, swiftly to be followed the 1.8-litre MG 14/28 Super Sports, of which around 400 examples were made, the most famous being ‘Old Number On’, built in 1925, and generally recognised as the first ‘true’ MG sports car

The ambiguity of the birth date of MG isn’t unique to this British marque, as confusion lays in the foundation dates of many other motoring marques. BMW, for example, celebrated its 1916 foundation (as a maker of aero engines initially to satisfy high demand during the First World War) in 2016, yet BMW didn’t actually build its first wheeled vehicles until 1923 (in the case of motorcycles), with its first motor cars not made until 1928. The centenary of BMW Motorrad will be celebrated during the Goodwood Revival between 8-10 September, with doubtless more festivities when the car division turns 100 in five years time.

Like BMW, Maserati can also enjoy a double centenary celebration, marking the foundation of the Company in 1914, which it seemed to extend to at least two years. Another golden opportunity presents itself in 2026, this being 100 years since the Maserati brothers actually built their first self-named car.

Like the MG Car Club, Bentley Motors got itself confused in 2006 when it announced its special Arnage Diamond Series, to mark the prestige manufacturer’s 60 years of vehicle making at Crewe (correct), but not the actual production start of 1933 when Bentley was being building cars under the management of Rolls-Royce.