A SMALL but important piece of British motoring history is about to be restored with the re-introduction of one of our most iconic sports car brands.
The MG TF has finally been given the green light for production again, with the first of the new batch scheduled to roll off the assembly lines at Longbridge in the West Midlands in August.
The company does not sound quite as British as it once was, having the new name of NAC MG UK Ltd but it heralds the rebirth of the famous MG brand nonetheless.
Company director Gary Hagen says: "The open top sports car is an iconic image of British motoring and forms the basis of the MG marque's long pedigree.
"The launch of the TF LE500 signals our determination to keep this class of car at the heart of the brand as we take it forward.'
With the launch of the new TF LE500 the company says it knows it is also re-launching one of the best known and best loved brands in the world.
While production efforts at Longbridge are focussed on the LE500, designers at the company's technical centre in Leamington, Warwickshire, are already planning the new MG models they believe will capture the essential qualities of the MG brand and extend the range into additional sectors.
Shanghai Automobile Corporation also bought the rights to the Rover 25 and 75 models plus the new Rover 45 model that was being developed to rival Ford's best-selling Focus.
When the new MG rear-wheel-drive roadster reaches showrooms in September it is expected to be offered with a choice of 1.8-litre turbocharged and 2.5-litre V6 engines. Prices have yet to be announced.