The MG F is a Midship '90s Roadster We Should All Love

[@What_A_Difference_A_Dave_Makes]

For a young guy, who would have been barely at school by the time MG Rover folded, your research and passion is incredible. As an old guy who had the honour of working at Longbridge with some of the industry greats, I compliment you on the quality of your videos. Thank you.

[@GordonBeckles]

Agreed.👍🏾👏🏾👊🏾

[@TwinCam]

That's tremendously kind of you to say, thank you :) PS, I was indeed in Reception when MG Rover went bust!

[@Onewheelordeal]

Old British car guys are pretty darn lucky to have this young chap

[@rogerking7258]

Do you mean old cars or old guys?

[@What_A_Difference_A_Dave_Makes]

I helped to engineer the MGF and I was fortunate enough to own the 2000MY British Racing Green VVC brochure car, bought directly from the factory fleet sales team. The plan was to keep it for a few months and turn a profit on it, but I ended up enjoying it too much, keeping it for a lot longer andI still managed to break even on it. As one of my late engineering colleagues put (referring to the engine and subframe layout), it was essentially two Metros for the price of three, but it remained a car that I remember fondly and I am glad that I had the privilege of owning one. Full of character, and so much fun.

[@TwinCam]

Two Metros for the price of three. I like that!

[@What_A_Difference_A_Dave_Makes]

The 2000MY was planned to have an electric boot release, and mine still had the wiring,solenoid and console push-button for that. It never made it to production, sadly.

[@markrossow6303]

Nice.

[@anthonystevens8683]

I have to congratulate you Ed on one of the best videos that you have released. The history part is not only informative but completely relevant to this story. Your research and knowledge clearly explained. A top job sir, well done!

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Anthony, that's tremendously kind of you to say :)

[@andrewmoorhouse687]

Lots of love in the comments for this video and channel. I can only add it’s richly deserved. Back in the day, I and family owned many Austin, Morris and Rover Group products, sometimes with a mixture of derision and incomprehension from those who didn’t know what innovative and often well engineered products they were. Many of the criticisms around reliability were unjustified. Often people commented who had never owned one. Not that they were perfect of course, but neither were their rivals at the time either. The best of them, in my case a 1993 Rover 1.4Si Metro with the K series 8 valve 1.4 engine, was a very fine thing indeed. Pretty much totally fault free in 63,000 miles in a little over 4 years, that car took me all round Europe on at least a couple of occasions without incident. Certainly towards the end Rover were producing good cars, but they just couldn’t shake off their previous reputation among the general public. The media, as with most things, certainly didn’t help in this regard, as didn’t Top Gear with Rover or BL products often the butt of its jokes. Then we wonder why we no longer have our own car industry.

[@TwinCam]

I could not agree more with your sentiment. Some comments proclaiming I’m misguided clearly are from folks who are just deeply uneducated on the subject matter.

[@adriancooper8192]

Astonishingly good documentary in content and presentation. Thank you for the time and effort you put into this outstanding video

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Adrian :)

[@jrushen4235]

Another masterclass in content and presentation.

[@TwinCam]

Thank you :)

[@jimmeltonbradley1497]

My son has an 02 plate MG TF and he absolutely loves it. Especially as it's a beautiful green one. It is a really under-rated little sports car.

[@paulypilot]

Really interesting. As others have said, thoroughly researched, and well presented. No gimmicks, just great content. Thankyou!

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Paul :)

[@peterthwaites5891]

As ever ED what a superbly researched and put together video... Well that was more a documentary! and i mean that in the kindest way... The details you reveal and the way you string all the information together in such an easy to understand and interesting way make you the one to beat, keep them coming..

[@TwinCam]

As always Peter, thank you so much!

[@Olibolio1]

You’re really very good at this.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks :)

[@DLee1100s]

This is the best MGF documentary ever made.

[@TwinCam]

Very kind of you! 🙂

[@famousamoss]

Absolutely superb viewing and brilliant production quality! If this was a mainstream, expensively produced documentary, I would be very impressed. The fact that this is a small-scale KZbin production is absolutely incredible…thanks, well done and keep them coming!

[@TwinCam]

Thank you very much :)

[@jetsons101]

Great watch so far, it's 12:10AM here. Time to hit the hay, will finish in the morning.

[@The-Sea-Dragon-1977]

Every single 'snatch defeat from the jaws of victory' story I hear about the British car industry makes me so frustrated that they didn't succeed.

[@TwinCam]

To be fair, I think the MG F is a total success story. It may not have been sold in the US, but its performance elsewhere was very good indeed. The fact they remain very common in the UK is testament to that.

[@The-Sea-Dragon-1977]

@@TwinCam yes, but imagine if the Rover brand hadn’t been cash strapped by BAe, or hamstrung by BMW, or rubbished by Top Gear, or made a laughing stock by Alan Partridge & Keeping Up Appearances… The nails in Rover’s coffin are many. Not one is the killer blow. But if cars like the MGF & Rover 75 had been allowed to develop as they should have instead of being clipped at the wing prematurely to prevent them standing on BMW’s toes things could have been so much more successful. MINI & Land Rover are the last embers of BL. Their success is testament to what could have been.

[@davidcooksey1390]

A thoroughly professional presentation !

[@TwinCam]

Thanks David :)

[@chrisbolton5461]

Another absolutely superb video. Just brilliant.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Chris :)

[@2loudspeakers]

I sat down with a cup of tea before starting a busy Saturday, and ended up watching this full video! Really excellent! I love the deep dig into the history. While I have never been in a MG F, I have always wondered why they are so under appreciated. Anyway, excellent video! Really enjoyed it.

[@TwinCam]

Very kind of you :)

[@2loudspeakers]

@@TwinCam Seriously. I've been watching you since you started out when you looked 12 ;-) 🙂And your way of describing the car and history is an art. And your interest in cars that most people would not bat an eye lid about or even know of is gold.

[@brianrobson5208]

Fabulous coverage of the MGF. I used to think of them as hairdressers cars, even though I was a big MG fan with a MGB and Widget. Then finally I took the plunge as the prices are crazy cheap ( currently). Wow what a great little car , with bags of MG caricature. Thanks for showing some love to this great car. 👍

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Brian :)

[@SimonGreenway-ih8lh]

Excellently researched and put together. You do this very well

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Simon 🙂

[@andycole6982]

I owned a VVC and absolutely loved it for the reasons you describe, the handling and performance. It was a great car, but suffered from a few draw backs that all appear to stem from penny pinching. It not only inherited the subframes from the metro, it inherited the hubs which limited the brakes and as a result their performance didn't match that of the engine. The gear change was imprecise making quick changes difficult. Not only was the driving position compromised by the height of the seats, but the steering wheel, seat and pedals were not aligned. The build quality was also not great with poor finishes and shut lines. This could have been a great car if Rover had believed in it and ironed out these problems in development.

[@TwinCam]

The gear change is an important thing to note, and something I only realised I hadn't written about when uploading the video. It's certainly not a *bad* gear change, but it's not even remotely acceptable for a sports car. The MX-5's, in comparison, is ridiculously sweet. Funnily enough, thanks to its front-engine layout and smaller R65 gearbox, the Metro had a snicketier change. And speaking of the Metro, you mention the brakes, which even contemporary journalists in 1990 said were under spec'd, never mind in a sports car with double the power!

[@Richardincancale]

Congratulations - that was a great combination of history and technical details - just right!

[@alanellis6688]

Had a 1.8 Vvc and a tf 1.8, both fantastic cars, especially the vvc, but the dreaded head gasket failure got the better of it, so as much as I’d love another one I know I’m not the right person to have one, especially as I had 4 other cars at the time

[@andrewparker3563]

I had a 1.8l VVC version in British Racing Green. Loved it. I didn't think the steering feel was bad, the whole car was so nice it felt like an extension of one's body. The K Series engine was truly exceptional. It sang!

[@davidhinkson8856]

A comprehensive look at all the twists and turns that led to the MGF. Excellent video.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks David 🙂

[@andrewstones2921]

Fantastic video, incredible quality of presentation and clearly well researched. You are a bona fide KZbin star.

[@TwinCam]

You're far too kind, Andrew :)

[@roberttaylor6295]

A continuing shed load of praise from the beautiful North England Pennines! What great way to start the day than a return to the regularity of expert Twin Cam and Ed, Brilliandt, Ed! It's like the doc has renewed by energy and emotional, motorised fun prescription. Thank you. Rob

[@sebastiend.5335]

Lived in the UK in Preston for over 6 years. Always loved the Pennies!! Greetings from the Netherlands

[@sebastiend.5335]

Lived in the UK in Preston for over 6 years. Always loved the Pennies!! Greetings from the Netherlands

[@TwinCam]

Very kind of you as always :)

[@rolfmak1400]

I am lucky to have a facelift MGF on my driveway. This has the benefit of an height adjustable steering wheel, which helps with the driving position and I am little over 5,5 foot. It also has the interior restyle which was carried over to the TF. The little green gem is almost 4 years in my possession and I love it to bits. It is a standard 120bhp with cream leather. I just treated it to GAZ adjustable dampers and it will get new hydrogas spheres as well. The car is an absolute gem to drive and I like to drive it fast. Specially on twisty roads. It just sticks and sticks. It feels like my Mini’s back in the early nineties. My holiday in Wales in 2023 being the highlight in my ownership. Rust? The car sits outside on my drive all year, and at the previous owner for 6 years. So almost 10 years in total. There is a very small 0,5 inch spot on one of the front wings. That’s it. Underneath it is perfect. Dependable, fun, comfort and more fun. And a practical boot (but don’t put your chocolates in there…). Great video, just as all your videos. Thanks for your hard work and very knowledgeable and entertaining videos!

[@TwinCam]

Thank you my friend, very kind of you to say :)

[@mikep4566]

I got one as a hire car in Edinburgh 20 years ago. The rental company said, apologetically, "we only have two seaters left". "A Smart car?" I replied..."No, an MG...". it was great. An old friend who was a tech at Rover at the time wasn't so appreciative, he didn't rate the K series (an egg cup of coolant, any problems and it boils over) and apparently the windows could either be rain resistant, or allow the doors to open, but not at the same time. But my time with it was fun.

[@evtimtrenkov1800]

Amazing videos mate. I am immensely proud of my MGF and, although I thought I’d sell it last summer, I am planning to stick with it for longer and customise it to be truly mine.

[@stephendavies6949]

Excellent film. The MG EXE looks a lot like the Jaguar XJ220. My now-wife had an MGF. Looked great and she loved it. The engine was a sweet unit, and the interior was a nice place to be. But I found it bumpy and crashy when driving over anything other than well tarmacked surfaces. We sold it when the footwells filled with water due to hood leaks. Still a pretty good little car, nonetheless.

[@TwinCam]

The XJ220 has a lot in common with the EX-E, primarily in the form of the drivetrain: the 4WD system and 6R4 V6 engine!

[@jh565bb]

@@TwinCam Imagine getting a chance to test drive an XJ220, that car was insane.

[@stephendavies6949]

@@jh565bb 🤐🤐

[@stephendavies6949]

@@TwinCam Yeah. As you so often say, "Another opportunity wasted."

[@malcolmelias3496]

If it was crashy when the Hydrogas system wasn't set up properly.

[@flanners41]

My first car in 1990 was a yellow MGB GT.....had my BRG MY2K F for 20yrs...its mint with 50K..just treated to new spheres. Underrated fun car that can be had for peanuts...sold my 02 TF after 5yrs ownership just couldn't bond. Now liking the retro odd curvy design more than ever..I like small 2 seaters...have an MR2 mkiii a Smart roadster coupe Brabus with a VX220

[@jeremytaylor1727]

Thank you for your time making this great documentary about the MGF, back in the 90s when the MGF was launched I didn’t give them a second glance probably because I was in my Golf GTI phase!! Then two years ago having already obtained a 1974 Citron Yellow MG BGT we added to our MG stable with a Solar Red MGF, it was fantastic value for money and the MGF has been a revelation it is a really fun car to drive especially with the roof down, I am left totally baffled as to how a car company producing such a good car went out of business, I guess it was down to poor management but it was a tragedy.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Jeremy 🙂

[@BillyNoMates1974]

I heard that Lotus were the first to sort out the head gasket issues on a K series engine. Slower opening thermostat to reduce shock temperature movement of the gasket plus a stengthend bottom end webbing and a different oil pickup. Probably a lot of other changes to make the K series bullet proof in the Elise. Just a shame Lotus fixed the head gasket issue around the time Rover went under

[@thatcheapguy525]

brilliantly researched an presented as always Ed. you certainly are the British automotive benchmark of your generation. so if the MGF was inspired by the original MR2, which itself was a Japanised X1/9, the MGF is effectively a British X1/9? if so I need to find one to play with asap 😁 I've always been a big fan of the X1/9 both from a driving and engineering point of view. the car is effectively made from the FIAT 128 parts bin with a new body. sounds like the MGF is using a similar philosophy.

[@TwinCam]

Funny how these things work isn't it!

[@richardberechula2942]

A superlative production, Ed - thanks. An enjoyable watch, as always. A run-out TF135 model was my sole transportation for almost 7 years, including numerous trans-continental tours. It never missed a beat, despite so many nay-sayers and doubters during that time. BTW, that twin-cam, multi-point EFI power unit (tho' in 1.4 form, with 103 ponies) was installed in relatively large numbers in Poland's FSO Polonez hatchbacks and soon really stole the Poles' hearts, unsurprisingly.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Richard 🙂

[@22pcirish]

Had an F. Once I got the engine rebuilt with the strengthening kit it was an absolute joy! The most fun car I ever owned.

[@rhspek]

The high seating position was the reason for me not to buy the MGF. But I did enjoy one as a passenger on a day trip to France through the then new Eurotunnel, as a passenger in an MGF owned by a colleague. Although she was a vegetarian she had the car retrofitted with leather seats. She took the car with her to her native Australia, where it might still be on the road almost 30 years later.

[@TwinCam]

It's a fair reason to turn you away from a 'sports car'. It does feel very odd.

[@barrettwbenton]

Goodness, me: an excellent overview of a car I'd been curious about for the the pas two decades, but knew relatively little about. Plus. props for name checking one of my favorite engineers, Dr. Alex Moulton, and while I've never owned a car with his amazing suspension systems, I *do* own a two-wheeled creation of his: a 1985 AM14 dual-suspension road bicycle, which was arguably his *other* famous creation. The man knew his stuff, and in more than one realm at that.

[@TwinCam]

Thank you my friend :)

[@StewSims]

Fantastic video Ed, clearly a lot of time and effort gone into it. I hope Manor Park are pleased with your partnership (and compensating you accordingly!). Some of those brochures are lovely - especially the document about the Moulton hydrolastic suspension - that's a great bit of design on its own. I love the F design but have never owned one - I picked up my first TF earlier this year and it's a great car, obviously not something you'd want to use for mega miles driving but nothing better on a sunny day than a drive with the roof down. They're so underrated but don't tell everyone - I like the fact if mine seriously broke I could probably afford to pick up another without breaking the bank.

[@johnps65]

I used to own a silver 1.8 VVC. It was a second car bought on a whim and kept garaged most of the time. I absolutely loved it, but sold it as it just wasn't getting enough use and I needed a new daily car. A decision I still regret to this day. A fantastic car, and great fun to own and drive.

[@mojoe7951]

Really enjoyed this one. Great job

[@TwinCam]

Thanks :)

[@garyallsopp6369]

My 19 year old daughter bought a 2000 MGF Wedgwood SE a couple of years ago. Remembering the press reports from back in the day, I wasn't expecting much when I drove it back from Manchester to South Wales, but I was blown away by what the engineering team achieved on such a limited budget. Motoring journalists totally missed the point. This is an MG not a Lotus; an affordable, fun car, you can use every day. Brief nailed!... As for the driving position, I'm a normal 5'6", not a freakishly tall 5'9", so it's perfect. 😜😁

[@TwinCam]

I’ll take being freakishly tall 😎😂😂

[@bondjamesbond9041]

I have tried to like these and they look great but what has put be off is engine access and reliability. If you are good with a set of spanners they can be a good buy as they are cheap to purchase. Good review as always. Well done.

[@brianwilson245]

I had one back in the day and it was a great car....no reliability problems either

[@doctormac123]

I had a 2004 TF 135, it was Xpower grey over a red leather interior. The engine was totally reliable once it had an MLS head gasket fitted it ran like clockwork, I did an oil change every 3k, it also easily did 50mpg . It was the car I learned to wrench on and the second car I’ve had. It had its problems general build quality was really poor, as we now. There great cars when well sorted as mine was with bilstein mono tube shocks. I had it from 2017-2022 I’m now 27. I’ll also add regarding the driving position, I’m 6” 7’ and drove my tf happily, they did redesign the seat frame to lower it and I adds a seat lowering kit. But still was fine for me.

[@robertfourt7096]

Really very very good. I owned one from new between 1998 and 2009. I thoroughly enjoyed it despite some quirks mainly to do with the electronics. What a shame it never reached its true potential in world wide sales and indeed appreciation either at the time or retroactively. Hopefully your brilliant analysis will start to turn the tide. Thank you again.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Robert 🙂

[@philiprodney7884]

Brilliant, Ed! I had two of them. Loved them. They followed a Porsche 928 and were succeeded by a Lotus Elise. I preferred the Fs to both of them!

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Philip, that's high praise for a little MG!

[@I-Libertine]

outstanding. truly great viewing. thank you- and congratulations.

[@TwinCam]

Thank you :)

[@p24hrsmith]

I drove a MGTF all around Europe visiting 10 countries and covering over 5,000 miles best trip of my life

[@scragnut]

Another wonderful video - this time for one of my favourite cars as I have a 1997 MGF VVC and I love it. Keep up the good work.

[@TwinCam]

Thank you my friend :)

[@MatthewJohnCrittenden]

Great vid, have a sub. Keep the quality up and you'll do well on YT. My mate had an MGF in the UK back in the day, inspired me into convertible motoring via 2 NA MX5s, one in the UK and my current stock example in Australia, where rust is considerably less of a problem.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Matthew :)

[@asciimation]

You're getting better and better at this! Most interesting film. I am an MGB person so never got on with the F really. It never seemed quite 'right' to me. The 90s was very odd in terms of 'organic' shaped cars. It was like it swung too far in the opposite direction to the 70/80s wedgey-ness. Far too many cars who looked like their clay models had melted! I always preferred the first gen MR2s. MGFs are reasonably common and cheap here in NZ it seems and I know there is a garage in Auckland who can re-gas them when the suspension craps out which is good. I'll stick to my B though :)

[@__sirena__]

I had an MGF but traded for a 1976 Alfa Romeo Spider which I still have as an everyday rider

[@goblin457]

Awesome work mate always preferred the F over the TF

[@TwinCam]

Thank you my friend :)

[@judethaddaeus9742]

Excellent analysis! There were rumors at different points that the MGF was also bound for a return to the US. Shame it never came over. Also, one 2-seat RWD roadster that was fairly modern AND bridged the gap between the Alfa Spider and the MX-5 was the Scimitar SS1/SST/Sabre. The early cars were certainly ugly ducklings, but stylistically the car came into its own with later updates. It’s very difficult to find much online about them, though. Everyone seems to forget about them, sadly.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Jude 🙂

[@mg-stuff]

Great stuff. Thanks. Albeit 25 years late, the MGFs are making their way into the USA, following the lucky Canadians who managed to get them 10 years sooner thanks to different import laws. The North American MGB Register (inappropriately named these days) has support for "Modern" Post Abingdon MGs such as the F so there's a national club providing support and has done through Mark Jones for over a decade. There are believed to be about 100 MGFs in the USA currently with numbers growing regularly. ✅🏁 Feel free to get in touch if the USA & Canada supporters of the cars is of interest.

[@russellhammond4373]

Love the BL history lesson with details of the MG F. Great work.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Russell :)

[@ravisidhu1667]

I had a MG Maestro Turbo No.62 (150bhp) Sad to have let it go.

[@emmajacobs5575]

One step in the inspiration/development road that led to the MGF that is little known is the Healeys’ project called WAEC (Wheel At Each Corner!) or more officially U1. Developed at the same time as the hydrolastic RWD EX234 Midget/MGB replacement, (ie predating ADO21) WAEC was also RWD and hydrolastic suspended, but used two ADO16 front subframes with the rear one holding the transverse engine (sound familiar?), in this case it was a 1275 Cooper S unit. The bodywork was a compact 2 seater coupe with what would become known as a targa top using a fabric panel and an electrically operated rear window that could be lowered to give a sort of open rollover bar. Sadly, it was seen by BMC as all far too advanced for the all important US market to accept.

[@TwinCam]

Ooh that's interesting. I didn't know about that project. Certainly something to look into, and if there's no surviving prototype, then there's clearly an easy video to be made!

[@benc8386]

Awesome video! One small point: technically double wishbone rear suspension is the second-purest form of rear suspension. It allows control over everything except (IIRC) how the toe changes under load. For that you need a "5 link" (which you will find on an ND MX-5, I think the earlier ones were double-wishbone). Also I thought those Rover 200s did have double-wishbones rather than struts, being very similar to Hondas of that era. But I could be wrong.

[@TwinCam]

A five link system is certainly more controlled, but I will say that it does still fall under the double wishbone label. The Mini, 1100, 1800, Austin Metro, for example, all have double wishbones at the front, but they only contain three links. The Rover Metro, and the MGF by extension, have a considerably better engineered and beefier three link system, while the Hondas you mention have four links. The Rover 200, however, does not have double wishbones. At the front they’re a traditional MacPherson strut, and have a multi-link system at the back. Honda gave suspension development to Rover for those cars, and all European-market Honda equivalents share the Rover-designed suspension, engineered for greater ride quality and refinement. Conversely, the Japanese-market Rover 200s used the Honda-designed double wishbones.

[@benc8386]

@@TwinCam Thank you for the very detailed answer!

[@TwinCam]

@benc8386 Interested to hear your thoughts on the spindly little suspension arms of the Mini-style cars though. The geometry of double wishbones is clearly there, but the general style isn’t! They’re not all that well-controlled considering how perfect the geometry is. That’s why Minis can be so dependent on harshness for good handling.

[@benc8386]

@@TwinCam The single top link that the Mini uses at the front seems very well built and even runs on needle bearings rather than rubber bushes, which I think should keep it as well-located as a full wishbone on bushes (but I have no data on this of course :) The Moulton springs, whether dry or hydrolastic, are all low-travel due to the characteristics of rubber. This means you need a top link that extends out from the spring, so you have a bit more travel at the actual hub. It seems that might be harder to do this with a wishbone than a single top link. Coil spring double wishbones usually connect the spring almost to the apex of the lower link so quite a different design really, and much more travel on the spring.

[@TwinCam]

@benc8386 Yes absolutely - all the Moulton-style suspension systems are sprung via the top arm/link, but that also makes them compact for transverse engines.

[@andrewg8791]

MG had attempted to get independant rear suspension on the MGB, and the MGA, and all the way back to pre-war cars too. The parent companies (Nuffield, BMH then BMC) never had the money to allow it to go ahead. Yes, they invested a lot of money in Issigonis' designs (& they paid off to a large extent), but it never left enough money for other parts of the business. That's why they played badge-engineering in the 60's, to maximise their returns on all that investment. Having said that, their best selling car in the 70's was the Marina - with cart springs and a solid back axle! That was a response to the company being too big to be able to continue to invest in their cars, having consolidated into Leyland with Jaguar & Triumph as well. The 70's investment went into the Triumph saloons and the TR7. Too many brands, not enough money, amongst other poor business decisions (in retrospect).

[@Wheels-Wheels-Wheels]

A much better car than the average potential MR2/MX5/TF buyer perceived it to be. And now, they represent one of the best drives for the current bargain basement prices.

[@mick0846]

This is an itch that needs scratching for me. I have owned mk1,2, mx5 and currently have a mk3 but have always fancied one of thease

[@edraket62]

Bedankt

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Ed! 🙂

[@ianalderton6683]

a big beat ! ? and there was also the Fiero .of course . .. . . .. -. ; ))

[@johnreed3576]

My first love! (I couldn’t afford an Elise!)

[@tsmith7146]

Owned one but high seating position and unreliability ruined the experience. Mk3 MR2 was a much better driver's car - and just before someone mentions the lack of boot in the MR2; the luggage pods behind the seats were great. The best though (especially considering its time of release in 1984) was the Mk1 MR2 - stunningly driveable and reliable car. I miss pop up headlamps.

[@TwinCam]

I do like all generations of MR2 very much, but I just can't get on with the style of the Mk3. However, a nice Mk1 MR2 is up with my dream small sports cars!

[@julianlord2697]

I had the early Elise when new and it was fantastic. But apart from engine layout and make the comparison is false, the Elise required the driver to compromise on comfort, noise and even door access. The MGF and MGTF are just easier to live with every day driving. Yes, the K series has only just stopped productIon in China and was a screamer, a very light sports car engine. I have no idea why it was in a 4x4 Freelander

[@TwinCam]

Well absolutely, that's why these cars sold in such great numbers in comparison to the Elise, which wasn't much more expensive at all.

[@rockets4kids]

It's a crime that Rover never put their legendary V8 into a roadster.

[@TwinCam]

In fact they did - the MG R V8! If you search for it on my channel, you'll find the video I made :)

[@BobAbc0815]

21 Years may apear a long Time to wait for your Dream Car to arrive, unless you realise that's not much longer then the Waiting Time for a Trabant 😂

[@T.E.S.S.]

It really seems like you are sponsored by Manor Park Classics. You're supposed to declare that on your videos if so.

[@TwinCam]

You must have missed it.

[@markrossow6303]

so a friend's new wife said the MGB was her favorite car, could they buy one ? but she found out she was pregnant so their son is Michael Gabriel B.

[@danieltynan5301]

Why they didn't do a hard top version and a turbo version.... I will never understand...

[@TwinCam]

They did produce a prototype coupé in 2005, but because Rover went under, it never reached production. As for a turbocharged version, however, the 160 VVC produced exactly the same power as the K Turbo, but with better throttle response and lighter weight. As I said, it was faster than any MX-5, so a higher performance version wasn’t something Rover concentrated on. A VVC Turbo would have been cool, but they reportedly couldn’t make it meet emissions standards.

[@danieltynan5301]

​@@TwinCamthey were always too small to survive in a modern world.... They simply never had the development money required....

[@martingarrish4082]

MGF was a great little car! But the (Metro) rear subframe oversteer correction with compliant bushes was terrible. If you were to retrofit MG TF rear subframes with hydragas from the MGF you would succeed in doing the one thing that BL, Austin, & Rover failed to do: showcase how comfortable Alex Moulton's suspension could be in a modern car with up to date handling...

[@kanton2485]

Love your videos very much. They are well researched and professionally presented. But praising british cars and drive a german one is somewhat disturbing to me. :)

[@TwinCam]

I’m a car enthusiast - I enjoy everything interesting! Beside my lovely BMW, I also have two British cars.

[@drevo50]

You see so few of them now. Great shame.

[@daviddesert3132]

Kettle series😂

[@macchiatomachiato]

just never looked that special

[@pm6613]

Great car but it lacks physical style, like the Honda S2000 and earlier Miatas.

[@jetsons101]

First from California

[@rogerking7258]

Ohhhhhhh.............................the K-series. A work of genius ruined by cost cutting and poor assembly. Plastic head dowels instead of steel, poor quality head gaskets, inconsistent assembly leading to varying liner heights, bearing housings specced to 2 tenths of a thou tolerances what were often 3 thou out of round; need I go on? A bloody tragedy.

[@Andy_Ross1962]

Not a fan, it's too fat. It looks over inflated.

[@nelsonclub7722]

They were terrible - I had one - seriously look through rose tinted glasses all you want but it was shocking - and it shouldn't have been - it should have been amazing

[@TwinCam]

What's so terrible about these? Because everything I see, barring small niggles, is good.

[@jamesengland7461]

What was terrible about it?

[@nelsonclub7722]

@@jamesengland7461 1 Engine - most broke - they used an aluminium head and it was an expensive repair - look up K series Head Gasket issues - very common - driving position - it was awful - the roof leaked- MG had it back four times before replacing the hood - it still leaked - handling - spongy brakes, stereo, lights - the list was endless

[@nelsonclub7722]

@@TwinCam Head gasket issues on nearly all of them is not small niggles

[@TwinCam]

@nelsonclub7722 The head gasket issue, even being a total non-issue today, was enormously overblown in period. Another example of a British car maker having the crap beaten out of them just for the sake of it.

[@user-ih7gc7dt9l]

Great video but the blasphemy could have been left out.

[@TwinCam]

Eh? What’re you on about?

[@user-ih7gc7dt9l]

38:07

[@TwinCam]

@@user-ih7gc7dt9l Wow you lead a sheltered life lmao

[@MitchLambert]

Your rose tinted glasses are so rose tinted you can't actually see through them. It was an uninteresting looking car and never a competitor for a MX5 or a MR2. The company was a basketcase from top to bottom and this is a great example why. Too little, too late.

[@TwinCam]

You see, I think you’re the one sat here with tinted glasses, though yours are tinted against anything Rover would have done, even if they’d have designed the MX-5. I feel I can say that because I research these videos, and in my research I thumb through a raft of period reactions and reviews to place myself in 1995. And back in 1995, the general perception was that the MG was prettier than any of its contemporaries. Style was certainly way up the list and if you think otherwise, please find me evidence of any period reaction telling us it’s ‘uninteresting’. Then find me any reaction that attempts to drag it away from its competition, because the idea it’s not an MX-5/MR2 competitor is simply ludicrous. Frankly, I’m a little fed up with people who are clearly uneducated on the subject, sat with huge prejudice against a car for no conceivable reason other than Rover having designed it, coming here and pretending they’re some authority on the subject despite me having sat for days pouring over research material.