MG

1924 — Born in the Morris Garages

MG traces its origins to 1924, when Cecil Kimber, manager of the Morris Garages dealership in Oxford, England, began producing tuned and rebodied versions of Morris cars. The initials "MG" stand for Morris Garages, and the famous octagon badge soon became a symbol of accessible, spirited motoring. Production later settled in Abingdon-on-Thames, which would remain the brand’s spiritual home for decades.

• Founded by Cecil Kimber as a sporting offshoot of Morris Garages.
• The octagonal MG badge became one of the most recognisable emblems in motoring.

1930s–1960s — The Golden Age of British Sports Cars

Through the mid-20th century, MG defined the idea of the affordable open-top sports car. The brand built a devoted following in Britain and, crucially, in the United States, where returning servicemen helped spark a love affair with small, nimble roadsters. Models like the MG TC, MGA, and MGB became cultural icons and racing favourites.

• The MG TC (1945) introduced American buyers to the British sports car after WWII.
• The MGA (1955) brought modern, aerodynamic styling to the lineup.
• The MGB (1962) became one of the best-selling sports cars ever, with over half a million built.

1980–2005 — Decline, Mergers, and the Rover Years

As part of the troubled British Leyland conglomerate, MG endured factory closures — including Abingdon in 1980 — and years of uncertainty. The badge survived on sporty versions of mainstream models and, later, on cars from MG Rover. In 2005, MG Rover collapsed, bringing the brand’s independent British chapter to an end.

• The historic Abingdon factory closed in 1980 amid British Leyland’s restructuring.