MG100 at Beaulieu – Celebrating a century of MG motoring
Report by Chris Adamson – Area Secretary Bournemouth & Poole MG Owners’ Club (MGOC)
Photos by Chris Adamson (CA) and Steve Favell (SF). Steve is Area Secretary at Winchester MGOC
On 30th September 2023 MG enthusiasts from across the South of England gathered in the parkland surroundings of the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu to mark 100 years of Britain’s favourite sportscar brand – a total of 434 MGs taking part in ‘MG100 at Beaulieu – The Big Birthday Bash’.
Organised and run by Region 10 clubs from the MGOC, the one-day event centred around displays by 15 individual MGOC area clubs along with individual marque enthusiasts who flooded into the museum, swelling the array of distinctive octagon badged vehicles.
Participating vehicles covered almost every moment of MGs history for an early M-Type through to examples of the latest all-electric MG4 and everything in between.
A Centenary Timeline, included cars representing every decade of MG production from a PA and TA through to a pristine Z type Magnette, several MGAs and a host of MGBs and MGCs (including a Jubilee GT) and on to an increasingly rare MG Metro, a much loved RV8 and finished with several of the models produced under Chinese ownership such as the MG3, MG6, GS and a brand new HS PHEV.
As well as the glittering array of cars on display visitors were also able to see a selection of trade stands including that of main event sponsor Discount MG Rover Spares whose display included a collection of increasingly popular MG ZS saloons and hatchbacks, early examples of the MGF and a factory SV bodyshell.
Winners in Pre-War, Classic and Modern MG categories were decided by the votes of fellow MG owners and members of the public.
Favourite in the Pre-War class was the ultra-rare 1934 PA Airline Coupe (one of only two known to survive from 28 made) of Mike Long from Vectis MGOC who had travelled over to the mainland on the early morning ferry to be there. His prize was presented by MG Owners Club General Manager Richard Monk
The most popular of the Modern MGs was the 2008 MGTF LE 500 of Mike Tighe from Solent MG Owners Club. His goodie bag was handed over by Scott Biddlecombe of the event main sponsors.
Top classic MG and the overall winner of Car of the Day was the immaculately prepared, gunmetal grey, 1968 MGC of John Morrison from Whiteley near Fareham. His prize was presented by Lord Montagu who congratulated John and all the MG owners taking part for making it such a successful day.
The event was an extra special occasion for one long-standing MG enthusiast, 101 year old Margaret Parsons who was given a passenger ride around the Beaulieu grounds in the class winning PA Airline by Mike Long. The first car Margaret ever drove was a 1935 PA, which was owned by her husband William from 1943 to 1947.
The ‘slideshow’ below illustrates the variety of MGs in attendance…