In 1995, against a backdrop of financial uncertainty, a new owner in the form of BMW and a nation that was recovering from recession, Rover Group made MG fans very happy.
For the first time since the closure of the Abingdon factory some 14 years previously, the MG sports car was back. It mattered not a jot that the new MGF was constructed largely of parts bin components, nor that it was assembled in Longbridge rather than MG’s spiritual home, for here was an affordable, cute, two-seater roadster that was created in the image of the MGs of the past, right down to sharing its powertrain and underpinnings with other cars in the company’s stable.
The design was actually very clever. Based on two Rover Metro front subframes, it used interlinked Hydragas suspension and a selection of switches and buttons that were instantly familiar to anyone who owned one of Rover’s other cars - the column stalks were from a 200, the heater vents from a Metro and the electric window switches were from the 800.
But the car was neatly styled - led by Gerry McGovern, who went on to become head of design at Jaguar Land Rover - and used a new 1.8-litre version of the K-Series engine found in the Rover 200/400, but developing 118bhp. There was a new 142bhp VVC engine, too.
In 1999, Rover Group launched a very special F to celebrate the MG brand’s 75th anniversary. The 75th LE came in three colours - Mulberry Red, Anthracite (a very dark bluey-black) and Platinum Silver, each with a ‘Grenadine’ interior that later went on to be offered as a premium option. All had leather trim and a numbered badge. A total of 2,000 were made, each with an individually numbered certificate.
This one is number 1,824 – a July 1999 Mulberry Red model that has been enthusiast-owned for all its life and comes with a substantial history file. It’s a lovely thing.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
UK V5C
MOT May 2024
File of invoices and paperwork
All original handbooks
Full service history
Invoice for MLS head gasket and associated repairs, with £1,189 spent in 2018 at 48k miles
MGF parts catalogue
MOT history printout
THE INTERIOR
Lovely Grenadine leather trim and matching interior highlights
Red carpets
Original dealer floor mats
Lovely condition leather seats with MG monogrammed leather
Original MG radio-cassette with detachable fascia panel and ultra-rare storage box
CD changer
Grenadine leather door inserts
Wood-finish centre console and gear knob
Numbered special edition plaque above storage cubby
THE EXTERIOR
Superb Mulberry Red pearlescent paint
Very smart panels with no dents or notable damage
Minor scuffs and marks on body (see photos) but nothing of note
Wax-treated, rust-proofed underside
Lovely 16-inch factory alloys
Smart black hood
Glass rear screen
Black factory hardtop in good order
THE MECHANICS
1.8-litre K-Series VVC
Five-speed manual
Starts eagerly and runs well
Head gasket replaced with upgraded multi-layer steel one in 2018, with new cambelt and water pump at the same time
Recent full service
No known mechanical issues
SUMMARY
The MGF is already an up-and-coming classic, but this one has pedigree in spades – a low mileage, known history and a sumptuous special edition specification.
Created to mark MG’s 75th anniversary, the F celebrates its own quarter of a century next year, to tie in perfectly with MG’s own centenary. What better way to celebrate the occasion than with one of the nicest and smartest special edition MGs of all-time?
It’s a lovely, usable and well-presented example of a highly popular modern classic.
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