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Why not an MGD ?
Several reason have been put
forward as to why the car was not named an MGD - in logical
sequence from the A,B and C.
In fact D had already been
used on an abandoned prototype and E was used on the stunning mid
engine MG EX-E concept vehicle that had wowed the public at the
Frankfurt Motor Show in 1985. This car can still be seen at the
Heritage Motor Centre (fomerly BMIHT)
We are then up to F - this
letter also harks back to the original F-16 concept car by Gerry
McGovern back in the mid 80's. Of course it also stands Fun,
Fast, and Fantastic.
The decision to call the car
MGF was actually made in March 1992 but kept a closely guarded
secret until Launch day 1995.
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MGF with gold cloth prior to the
Geneva show unveiling
| We have already seen how the MGF was
previewed to privileged dealers, press and MG enthusiasts at
the special presentations in February. Now was the time to
reveal the brand new car to the general public and the world's
media. |
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Geneva was deliberately chosen to
reveal the car as it has been the launch venue of many great
vehicles in the past from Aston Martin to Lamborghini. 1995 was to
be the year that brought the MG back in to the media glare and the
public would once again be given the opportunity to buy an all new
MG. |
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| The decision to call the car an MGF
was taken as far back as 1992 - however this was kept a
closely guarded secret and the car was referred to as PR3 throughout
it's development. Most of the speculation had it that the car would
be badged as an MGD - to such an extent that some people are
reported to have brought up job lots of MGD number plates. The name
was revealed on press day at Geneva along with two of the
cars.
After a press conference, to which double the number of invited
journalists turned up in a side room at the Palexpo Exhibition Hall,
the cars were revealed on the Rover stand in the central exhibition
hall. John Towers himself led the media to the two cars draped in
gold cloths. To the sound of "The Fairer Sax" the covers
were whipped away and the cars revealed to much flashing of cameras
and genuine applause..
Both the reaction of the press and the public who were seeing the
car for the first time were very positive. Both Gordon Sked and
Gerry Mcgovern were present to answer questions about the car.
As far as Rover were concerned the car was already a success and
now that the covers were off more open testing could be carried out
with the GRP covers removed. You could now see genuine undisguised
MGFs on the roads for the firsst time. |
The British Racing Green MGF unveiled
on the Geneva MG stand
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What else was at Geneva ?
The MGF was not the only new car revealed at the
1995 salon. One potential rival was also unveiled in the shape of
the Fiat Barchetta - a reasonably priced two seat, front wheel drive
sports car with Italian style. Although the car was made available
in the UK - it was in left hand drive form only and so thankfully
did not slow the MGF's rise to becoming Britains' best selling
sports car.
The other two cars revealed would also not bother
the MGF. The first was the Bentley Azure retailing at £215,000 and
the second the Ferrarri F50 at only £329,000.
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What were the cars at
Geneva ?
The two cars at Geneva were
drawn from the QP phase of production. These first Quality Proving
Prototypes were made almost entirely on the production line from
Autumn 1994 to Spring 1995.
Sixty Four of these QP cars
were built. The two cars at Geneva were in flame red and British
Racing Green.
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