August 8, 2005 • The New York Times
As MG Moves to China, Owners Keep the Faith

By MATTHEW HEALEY

THE mortal remains of the last British-owned mass-market carmaker, MG Rover, passed to the Chinese last month when Nanjing Automobile bought the company's production machinery and other physical assets, which now seem destined for China. Several companies, including Shanghai Automotive Industry, which acquired the rights to the designs and technology last year, are still negotiating over the marque's immortal soul.

Longtime fans of MG in the United States heaved another collective sigh, if not of relief then perhaps of resignation. Even after the latest development in the tale, it would be risky to predict the reincarnation of the beloved brand.

For generations of American enthusiasts, the stylish and fun-to-drive MG was the epitome of British sports cars, its quirks offset by an abundance of charm and, well, sportiness. And MG's were always affordable.

MG's success, to a great extent, was made in the United States. G.I.'s returning from World War II brought home a fondness for things British, including the cars; imports of MG models in significant numbers - the TC in the 1940's and the TD in the 1950's - introduced drivers to new pleasures and travel experiences. The cars would prove a big hit.

Later, the MGA and MGB were the best-selling imported sports cars in America, the automotive counterpart to the British Invasion in music and fashion. In the 60's and 70's, the majority of the cars produced - 100,000 MGA's and more than a half-million MGB's - came to the United States. MG's were last sold here in 1980.

Dave Houser, whose garage in Brooksville, Fla., houses three MG's, has long been a fan of the marque. Forty years ago, he and his wife, Rita, had been married just two weeks when he spotted the front of a black 1953 TD poking out of a car lot. "I said to her: 'We've got $800 from our wedding. I've just discovered what I want to spend it on!' " Mr. Houser recalled. He talked the salesman down to $425, from an asking price of $550, and drove the car home.

Forty years and 62,000 miles later, Mr. Houser still drives that TD regularly - and is still happily married to Rita. He restored the car in 1967 and eventually acquired eight more MG's, but whittled down the collection when he retired to Florida a few years ago. "The trouble with owning so many MG's is finding the time to drive them all," Mr. Houser said.

As many collectors will attest, there are two aspects to a passion for sports cars: the cars themselves and the people who love them. Mr. Houser has belonged to numerous MG clubs and owners' groups over the years, and meeting other members is one of the primary joys of having an MG. "We call our meetings 'Gatherings of the Faithful,' " he said. "One of the highlights of my life was a gathering of MG owners for a tour of England and Scotland in 1990."

The owners shipped their MG's to Britain for this memorable drive, then shipped them back home.

"We spent three weeks driving all over the countryside," Mr. Houser said. "It was a terrific experience."

Although buying an MG has typically been inexpensive compared with the purchase of other British or European sports cars, restoring one can be costly. Owners seem not to mind, and many, like Mr. Houser, do most of the work themselves. He estimates that he spends no more than a few hundred dollars a year maintaining each of his cars.

Despite some good years, the MG brand had a difficult life. After an unhappy marriage with British Leyland, a conglomerate that included Austin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Mini, the marque was retired. A late affair with BMW in the 1990's fizzled and the brand ended up in the hands of a group of British businessmen, who formed MG Rover in 2000.

Then MG saw something of a rebirth. New models, including the MGF, were introduced at a fast clip and were well received. Though a new model was developed for the American market, it did not come to fruition before the announcement in April that MG Rover was in bankruptcy proceedings.

The troubles at MG have not cast a pall over collectors of the classic models, who are used to fending for themselves. The biggest question was what the eventual owner of the brand might do to continue - or despoil - its pedigree.

"I'd love to see the MG come back to the States," Mr. Houser said. "I hope the MG name can survive this latest challenge."

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