Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.
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Ellis
Joined: 07 Mar 2011 Posts: 1386 Location: Betws y Coed, North Wales
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Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2013 9:01 pm Post subject: MGs of the 1980s |
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When I was growing up in the 1960s the MG name was special. Even then "T" series could still be seen on the road in everyday use and a MGA, Midget or MGB would turn heads.
In November 1965 a friend of my father's called to show his then brand new MGBGT on it's first journey home after collecting it from Braid Bros in Colwyn Bay. It was blue with painted wire wheels and a Webasto sunroof.
The number IIRC DCA 460C.
A MGC or a MGCGT was viewed with awe and respect.
Fast forward to the 1980s and the only MGs you could buy were the Metro, Maestro and the Montego.
I remember reading the Autocar test of the MG Metro and the considered opinion was that it certainly did not disgrace the MG marque.
In August 1983 my mother bought a new MG Metro 1300 in silver blue metallic, A365 SLG. It was nippy, yes, but no MG.
A local resident bought a new MG Metro Turbo in mid 1984 which ran it's main bearings 14 months later and a warranty claim was refused by BL even as a goodwill gesture. The owner showed me the letter "....... we cannot offer indefinite warranties on our vehicles..........."
Did you know that the Metro Turbo's rear suspension was merely an uprated version of that of the Metro van?
The local manager was given a MG Maestro as a company car in January 1984. It was so reliable that he covered more mileage in courtesy cars than in the Maestro.
There were some good experiences though. My solicitor bought one of the first MG Montego Turbos and let me have a drive. What a car!
It was a front tyre smoking, torque steering hooligan and it went like h**l. Later models were detuned............
Over all I thought it was a sad and cynical use of a prestigious name and as to what followed..............
The otherwise excellent MGF marred by an engine with a basic design flaw. I genuinely like the MGRV8 but can't help feel it was Rover's attempt to recreate or warm up the departed.
Do you agree?[/img][/url] _________________ Starting Handle Expert
1964 Jaguar Mark 2 3.4 litre
1962 Land Rover Series 2a 88"
2002 BMW M3 E46 Cabriolet |
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52classic
Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 493 Location: Cardiff.
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Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2013 9:23 pm Post subject: |
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IMHO most of the bashing that's dished out to 80's MGs is quite unfair.
The MG Metro in particular is totally faithful to Morris Garages original concept for the MG marque. We had an '83 one on the family fleet and it was a delightful little car. Great handling, comfy, well equipped and with the coolest exhaust note in its class....... Red seat belts, pepperpot wheels etc etc.
Never really liked the body kit on the Turbo though.
Similarly the Maestro. We had a 2.0 efi which was well ahead of equivalent hot hatches, especially the Golf. Surprisingly big inside and again, very well trimmed for its day. Somehow I felt that the tubby looks and chiselled corners of the body managed to represent the essence of the octagon badge.
Have to say that the Montego was rather bland looking alongside the Maestro.
Biggest problem was rust of course because both our cars were past their 'first flush' but no serious mechanical problems and dead easy to maintain. |
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peter scott

Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7211 Location: Edinburgh
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Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2013 1:43 pm Post subject: |
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The normal production MGs were always just go faster Morris's or Wolseleys so there is nothing much different with the relationship between MG and the more pedestrian Leyland products of the 1980s except that the Morris identity had been subsumed into Austin.
Peter _________________ https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon |
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ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4231 Location: South Cheshire
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Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2013 2:01 pm Post subject: |
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I remember driving an MG Maestro turbo, the styling did nothing for me, but it didn't half shift !!
Dave |
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Rick Site Admin

Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22779 Location: UK
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Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2013 2:25 pm Post subject: |
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peter scott wrote: | The normal production MGs were always just go faster Morris's or Wolseleys so there is nothing much different with the relationship between MG and the more pedestrian Leyland products of the 1980s except that the Morris identity had been subsumed into Austin.
Peter |
That's it, carrying on a tradition of being based upon mainstream saloons of the day. If I'd liked the base cars when they were new, then perhaps I'd like the MG versions too, however none of the 80s BL/ARG cars do much for me. Mum ran a Metro with a stage 2 MG engine in it, it went ok but the fit and finish wasn't up to much, nor was the ride or handling despite mods made in this department too.
Thirty years on, I like the rarity of the MG versions but I've no desire to own one.
Of all the MGs built since, say, 1980, the only one that half appeals is the ZT-T 260 (estate), the one fitted with a Mustang V8 and rwd. Generally though, warmed-up Metros, Maestros, 200s, 400s etc aren't for me.
RJ _________________ Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop |
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Richard H
Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 2150 Location: Lincolnshire, UK
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Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2013 9:04 pm Post subject: Re: MGs of the 1980s |
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Ellis wrote: | ...a MGA, Midget or MGB would turn heads.
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Ironically, the latter two are such common classic cars that hardly anyone bats an eyelid at them now.
I have a Maestro. It's no MG though, being a very pedestrian early 1.3 base model in a period shade of "hearing aid" beige with a cracking brown interior. It always was, and will be again soon, a good reliable car, nice to drive, economical, and basic with no nasty electronics to go wrong. Build quality is pretty poor I must admit, interior trim is quite flimsy and likes to drop off, of course replacement bits are really hard to find now. The fit of my front passenger door is also pretty appalling, and I think it left the factory like that. As far as I'm concerned, it's all part of the charm of owning an old BL car, you expect this kind of thing! Sadly rust and neglect claimed most Maestros and Montegos. Mine is no exception, now in need of new rear wheelarches, front wings and it needs welding in the roof around the ariel. It will be 30 years old in 2015 and I hope to have it back on the road long before then! We'll see.
Mine:
 _________________ Richard Hughes |
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Rick Site Admin

Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22779 Location: UK
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Richard H
Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 2150 Location: Lincolnshire, UK
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Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 12:35 pm Post subject: |
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I'd say it already is Rick. Yes they only made 500 or so MG Turbos, but I reckon at least a third of them still survive in enthusiast hands. I haven't seen another base model like mine since 2010 when I first bought it. I've seen pictures of a very early beige Y reg base model with no headrests, parcel shelf, radio or passenger door mirror, which is still on the road, and a red MK1.5 base exactly like mine which is now on a SORN. I haven't seen any others. The spec on mine was similar to that of the City introduced in late 1985, although that was slightly more basic with no clock and a manual choke instead of the autochoke on mine, which were notoriously troublesome.
No new repair sections available, your only hope is to find ex-Rover or Hadrian stock. New sills are particularly had to find, and I'm still looking for a drivers side rear arch for a metal bumper car - if anyone has one!
The trouble is, although there were loads made the base models were usually the first to disappear due to neglect and the MG's are generally the ones saved in enthusiast circles. The low-spec cars are the ones I remember from my childhood, and I came home from the hospital when I was born in my parents B reg 1.3L  _________________ Richard Hughes |
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Ellis
Joined: 07 Mar 2011 Posts: 1386 Location: Betws y Coed, North Wales
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Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 2:19 pm Post subject: |
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How rare it is now I don't know but there is one Maestro Vanden Plas in sparing use in the Llandudno/Colwyn Bay area. I saw it earlier this year but how old it is I cannot tell because there's a cherished number on it and a valuable one at that - single number and three letters.
The car is in a metallic light blue colour.
There was one Montego Vanden Plas in the nearest town, Llanrwst, for years. It was the ex demonstrator for Jones Bros, the BL garage.
The last Metro Vanden Plas I saw was owned by a young lady who used to work in the HSBC/Midland Bank here in the village. "A" registered in a dark red colour. _________________ Starting Handle Expert
1964 Jaguar Mark 2 3.4 litre
1962 Land Rover Series 2a 88"
2002 BMW M3 E46 Cabriolet |
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Richard H
Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 2150 Location: Lincolnshire, UK
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Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 8:17 pm Post subject: |
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The Maestro VDP would be Zircon Blue, a very nice period shade that was often seen on MG 1600's and VDP's. I've got a feeling that shade was only used until 1985 or 86, so that Maestro would be a fairly early one. _________________ Richard Hughes |
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