Iconic MG celebrates 100 years with NZ rally

An example of the 1930s MG M-Type will be taking part in the rally. Photo: NMM UK

The MG Car Club Auckland is hosting one of the world’s first MG Motor centennial celebrations, with the New Zealand National Rally underway this weekend.

Entrants from all over the country are participating, as are representatives from Australia, USA, Canada, England and Scotland.

This year is recognised as the 100th year of the famous MG marque, with its origins in Oxford, Britain. The MG Octagon was registered as a trademark by Morris Garages on 1 May 1924.

Over the decades, the brand had a number of owners including BMW in 1994, until the name “MG” was sold to the Chinese car manufacturer Nanjing Automotive Group in 2005. 

That company merged with Shanghai Automobile Industry Corporation (SAIC) to create MG Motors, as the brand is known globally, including in New Zealand.

To celebrate the centennial, the MG Car Club Auckland chapter is taking to the roads around the North Island with a festive display of vehicles, the oldest model being a 1931 M-Type.

Other notable vehicles to take part are the first MG owned by the late motorsport legend and New Zealand’s only Formula One World Champion, Denny Hulme, through to the new MG4 Essence and XPOWER.

“The rally is for passionate enthusiasts to get together and celebrate a century of MG cars and, rather fittingly, we’re anticipating almost 100 vehicles to take part,” said MG Car Club Auckland President, Andrew Walbran.

The eight-day long drive features overnight stops in Auckland, Taupo and Napier. In addition to touring stages, there is a track day at Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park in Taupo and a number of the National Rally events are open to the public.

“The first of these is the MG exhibition gala opening day on Sunday, January 14 taking place at The Cloud on the Auckland waterfront from 10.30am to 3.30pm, as well as a similar viewing opportunity in Napier on Friday, January 19,” said Dr Walbran.

MG New Zealand is assisting organisers with various event elements, including providing a fleet of three MG4 for use support vehicles.

“The centennial is an opportunity to celebrate our past, but also a chance to look towards the future. The new MG4 is representative of this, as it offers emissions-free motoring, great range, an attainable price tag, yet is loaded with safety, technology and comes with the peace of mind of a five-star safety rating,” said MG New Zealand Country Manager, Arek Zywot.

An event itinerary is available at the MG Car Club Auckland here.