The MG Story

Cecil Kimber

The founder of the MG marque was Cecil Kimber was born on 12 April 1888 in south London

Cecil's started work for his fathers printing business in Manchester.  His main hobby was motorbikes and began racing, however a serious accident in 1908 put an end to his racing career.  After having a serious argument with his father about the accident compensation money he left to work for AC cars and then to Wrigleys making shafts for Morris Garages. It was here he met William Morris, later Lord Nuffield.  Cecil went to work at Morris Garages and became its general manager in 1922.  Morris Garages was later known as MG.  Under Kimbers guidance the standard Morris Cowleys were modified with lowered chassis and making the bodywork more sporting.

By 1924, Morris Garages was advertising the "MG Special four-seater Sports", and had incorporated the famous octagonal badge into the copy. Old Number One was the first MG sports car.  In 1928 MG introduced the MG M – type at there first stand alone motor show.  The M-type midget sold almost 3000 cars in a four year production run.  It was based on the Morris Minor chassis and was powered by a minor 847cc overhead cam engine. The company grew and moved three times before ending up at Abingdon in 1929, by which time it had been renamed the MG Car Company.  The company were becoming famous for there “Sports Car” and successful racing successes increased this popularity.  Autocar magazine of the day wrote” The MG midget will make sports car history.”  This period saw MG Midgets being developed through PA, PB, (1936 -9) to the famous T series which began with the TA.  This series ran until 1955 producing almost 50,000 cars.  Kimber continued into the war years but was dismissed for adapting too many of his own ideas that didn’t agree with his superiors plans.  He later died in 1945.

The MGA which replaced the TF had a lot to live up to as exports were doing well to the American market.  The A was born with Sid Enever heading the design team at Abingdon. ….. to be continued……