auto-heritage.co.uk -celebrating the history of motoring

MGs across America is a unique celebration of the extraordinary love affair Americans have had for MG cars since the end of World War 2. During the golden years of sales, more MG sports cars were sold in the US than the rest of the world put together and this fascinating history is superbly told in this wonderful production.

Part 1 focuses on MG History and MG Racing. It includes a large amount of very rare archive footage, including the first ever Grand Prixs from Watkins Glen in 1948 & 1949, both of which predominatly featured MG TCs. There is also newsreel footage of the MG Land Speed Record attempts at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah from the the 1950s. There are also some exclusive interviews with some of the early MG racing drivers. The DVD then follows the marque's racing success throughout the 60s and 70s, featuring MGBs and Midgets.

Part 2 focuses on the passion that Americans have had for MGs since the end of WW2. Apart from the many cars that are kept in original condition, there are many highly modified MGs, including an 'electric MGB' and a 'stretched' MGB, which has to be seen to be believed!. Other highlights include a tour around the private MG Museum of the late Gerry Gougen, which includes some of the rarest MGs in the world. If your into collecting models, then you have to see the collection of Michael Sarvas, who has his 2000+ models overflowing in his basement. There's also footage from the biggest ever gathering of MGs in America during the 20th Century, INDY 96, which has hundreds of cars driving around the famous MG racetrack. There's also a rare glimpse of the MGF on an American Highway, shot while the car underwent evaluation in the US, plus much, much more. "One of the best DVDs I have seen in a very long time.  I can assure you that you will not be dissapointed with the content or the quality of production."  Cambridge and District MG Owners Club

A compilation of classic original promotional films from the MG and BMC archives remastered for DVD

MGB The Story of the Best Selling MG Sports Car (50 minutes)
The MGB was the most successful MG sports car ever built, quickly achieving classic status by epitomising the Britishness and winning hearts throughout the world. More than 500,000 were sold between its conception in 1962 and the eventual closure of the famous Abingdon factory, where it was built, in 1980. Masses of archive footage, much of which has never been seen before, is combined with interviews from key people of the era to explore the myths, legends and facts behind its design, production and competition history. John Thornley, the legendary ‘gaffer’; Don Hayter, its gifted designer; and Stuart Turner, manager of the successful competitions team; all speak freely of the camaraderie and the secrets of those times.

Safety Fast (1932) (14 minutes)
This quality black and white silent film made by the Morris Cine Department follows a young couple on their tour of the factory before collecting their new car. It features rare period footage of the MG works and personnel.

Exhibit B801 (1950) (17 minutes)
The story of Goldie Gardner’s record breaking car EX135 from display at the Festival of Britain to the land speed record runs on the Bonneville Salt Flats in the USA. The film includes record breaking attempts using a standard MG TD.

Magic Carpet (1962) (10 minutes)
A promotional film for the US market showing a young couple test driving their new MG 1100 on a visit to the UK. On the way the call in at Goodwood where Graham Hill just happens to be on hand for a test drive.

This is the right up-to-date DVD release of one of the best known British sports car marques -as seen on Discovery Channel and acclaimed by critics as 'the most informative film yet made on this famous marque'.

It tells the whole MG story, from a close-up look at 'old Number One' - the first sports car to roll out of Morris Garages in Oxford - to the 2009 version of the TF, now being built at the Longbridge plant.

All significant models in the more than 85 years of MG production are featured, and there's a special segment celebrating the 75th anniversary in 2008 of the famous supercharged K-series racers and record-breakers.

If you love MG - and who doesn't - then you'll love this.