My tupence!
In all of the years mentioned, 1925, 1936, 1950, 1953, 1956
up to 1981 there was contiuous thread. It was either the
workforce, MG management, or designers, from Cornwall
Street, to Pusey Lane, to Oxford, to Abingdon.
After the closure of Abingdon, there was no continuity of MG
management, workforce, or designers, or plant.
So, anything made today isn't an MG unless it can prove
itself again either through competition of some sort, or the
Abingdon workforce spirit, as that's where MG established
it's reputation.
The Z Magnette was badge engineered to some extent, but the
designers also did MG sports car work and the car was built
in Abingdon. The MG management, designers, and workforce
oversaw its production.
On the other hand the Farina MK III, IV, and the FWD cars
are not MG. Their design was done outside of Abingdon,
there was no one from Abingdon in on the design and the cars
weren't built in Abingdon. So, IMO these cars weren't MGs.
Even the RV8 is close to not being an MG. It's not much
different then calling the Naylor TF an MG.
Blake
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