MG (Shire Library)

As Britain's most popular sporting marque, MG has emerged as one of a handful of British motoring names to survive into the 21st century. MG stands for the Oxford-based Morris Garages. It was created in 1924 by its talented manager, Cecil Kimber. Initially the cars were special-bodied Morrises but from 1928 onwards MG became established as a make in its own right. This is the story of the development and evolution of the MG, harking back to the glory days of British automotive construction.

From the quintessential open two-seater MG Midget, through the booming post-war years and the emergence of MG as a provider of sports cars for the world, Jonathan Wood provides an in-depth analysis of the rise and fall of a motoring legend. Examining the various models in detail, the author covers the financial and corporate traumas which afflicted the company, its brief resurgence in 1995 with the release of the MGF and the final sad chapter which saw a British icon sold off to foreign investors. As production begins again at the Longbridge factory after a three-year hiatus, this is an informative and at times touching glimpse into the history of one of the world's most recognisable sports cars.