Bournemouth & Poole MGOC played a leading role when MG enthusiasts from across the South of England gathered in the parkland surroundings of the National Motor Museum for ‘MG100 at Beaulieu – The Big Birthday Bash’.
A total of 434 MGs took part with 1020 hosting one of the biggest displays among the 15 individual MGOC area clubs who took part. It was also the location for the Centenary Timeline with cars representing every decade of MG production from a PA and TA through to a pristine Z type Magnette, several MGAs and a host of MGBs and MGCs (including a Jubilee GT) and on onto an increasingly rare MG Metro, a much loved RV8 and finished with several of the models produced under Chinese ownership such as the MG3, MG6, GS and a brand new HS PHEV and all-electric MG4.
Chris Adamson, Nigel Hedges, Colin Sexton and Patricia Lodge set-out the club stand areas the day before and they were joined by Pip and Ursula Bonner and Ian Hanstead in marshalling alonjgside members of Southampton and New Forest MGOC on the day itself.
As well as the array of cars on display, visitors were also able to see a selection of trade stands including that of main event sponsor Discount MG Rover Spares whose display included a collection of MG ZS saloons and hatchbacks, early examples of the MGF and a factory SV bodyshell.
Also there were long-time 1020 supporters Pheonix Classic Cars and Wayne Healey Valeting.
Having toured the MG displays, most people took the opportunity to visit the museum itself which currently houses a new display of historic black and white photographs charting the early years of the marque.
Winners in Pre-War, Classic and Modern MG categories were decided by the votes of fellow MG owners and members of the public. Thanks to Regional Secretary Nigel Knowles for administering this and Winchester MGOC members for undertaking the painstaking task of counting the votes.
Favourite in the Pre-War class was the ultra-rare 1934 PA Airline Coupe (one of only four known to survive and one of only two still running in the UK from 42 P-Type Airlines made) of Mike Long from Vectis MGOC who had travelled over to the mainland on the early morning ferry to be there and was a guest on the 1020 stand.
His prize was presented by MGOC General Manager Richard Monk who attended the event with Jonathan Kimber from the technical services department at Swavesey.
The most popular of the Modern MGs was the 2008 MGTF LE 500 of Mike Tighe from Solent MGOC. His goodie bag was handed over by Scott Biddlecombe of Discount MG Rover Spares.
Top classic MG and the overall winner of Car of the Day was the immaculately prepared, gunmetal grey, 1968 MGCC of MGOC member John Morrison from Whiteley near Fareham in Hampshire. His prize was presented by Lord Montagu who congratulated John and all the MG owners taking part for making it such a successful day.
The event was an extra special occasion for one long-standing MG enthusiast, 101 year old Margaret Parsons who was given a passenger ride around the Beaulieu grounds in the class winning PA Airline by Mike Long. The first car Margaret ever drove was a 1935 PA, which was owned by her husband William between 1943 and 1947.
Thanks to everyone in 1020 who helped make the day possible and to everyone who came along in their cars.
