The Works MGs
By Mike Allison & Peter Browning
The racing history of the MG Car Company dates as far back as 1924. This long, illustrious history is so well known and so well documented that you may be asking yourself whether we need another account of MG’s racing exploits. The answer is – in this case – yes. What makes “The Works MGs” different from other MG racing histories is the fact that the authors relied heavily on first-hand information collected from those who drove, built, engineered and managed MG’s racing efforts from 1924 to 1968. Areas covered include road racing, rallying, trials and speed record attempts.
The first half of the book is written by Mike Allison and is devoted to MG’s significant prewar racing efforts. Allison’s personal friendship with MG’s prewar chief mechanic Reg Jackson, as well as other MG luminaries, has given him the ability to accurately reconstruct the personalities and events of the era, from the perspective of those that were there. The second half of the book is devoted to MG’s postwar racing efforts and is written by Peter Browning, who was the last competitions manager for BMC, until it was closed in 1968. Having worked closely with MG racing legends like Paddy Hopkirk, John Handley, John Sprinzel and Pat Moss, Browning is able to combine his personal experiences, with first-hand accounts from the drivers, to paint a strikingly clear picture of MG’s postwar racing involvement.
In addition to 17 chapters covering the chronological history, the book also contains several useful appendices highlighting everything from race records and technical specifications to brief biographies of some of the more influential people associated with MG’s racing history. Well illustrated, with a large complement of black and white photos, it is a shame that the book could not include any color photos from the later postwar era. Overall, a great resource for any MG enthusiast.
