Special parties were organised for the first four years of the MGF's production

In the early years of the MGFs existence Birthday parties were held to celebrate it's production. Initially organised by the MG Car Company it was then taken over by enthusiasts. There have been no parties in recent years but there will be a revival for the 10th anniversary which is approaching in 2005. The MGF Register will be organising a suitable Birthday Party to celebrate the first ten years.

1996

THE FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY

Reports put the attendance at around 2000 vehicles. It's not clear if they were all MGF's however. Personal invitations were sent out to all MGF owners and to those still awaiting delivery of their cars. 

Once at Gaydon the MGFs were parked in colour coordinated order and there was already a tendency to personalised number plates noted.

As well as the usual attractions at Gaydon there were three MGF prototypes on display including the Metro Van "Mule" used for the mid engine tests.

Celebrities attending included Anthea Turner with her one off British Racing Green MGF , she helped in the publicity for the first cars. Gerry McGovern, the car's designer, was also at the event and gave three lectures throughout the day on the evolution of the MGF.

Stunt Driver Russ Swift was employed by Rover and gave exciting demonstrations of how to drive your F on two wheels and parking in tiny spaces. He even took Anthea Turner on one of his escapades.

Rover Motor Sport mounted a display on racing your MGF.

Both the MG Car Club and MG Owners club had stands.

At the end of the day an aerobatic display was provided by Rover's own displya team in their Extra 300 aircraft. Brian Lecomber and Alan Wade were the pilots.

As each MGF owner left the museum they were given a special birthday cake adorned with the MGF logo.

1997

THE SECOND BIRTHDAY PARTY

Photo acknowledgement - Harmant Kumar

Along similar lines to the first party the day featured four lectures by Quentin Wilson on the MG Record Breaking cars and included the MG EXF 200mph speed car which had recently broken speed records at Bonneville. 

Numbers of vehicles again was estimated at about 2000 and all MGFs were once again parked by colour.

A fairground was available all day.

High speed test drives in an MGF could be booked around the Rover test track.

In the skies the Red devils Parachute team dropped in and another areobatic display took place by Firebird Aerobatics.

Throughout the day a Pit Stop tyre changing competition was held.

At lunchtime and in the afternoon Russ Swift gave  displays of precision driving in an MGF.

The new MGF Register had a stand.

At the end of the day 2nd Anniversary awards were handed out by Quentin Wilson and Gerry McGovern.

1998

THE THIRD BIRTHDAY PARTY

Photo Ackowledgement - Neil Watson

The third birthday party therefore took place at a different venue - Brooklands in Surrey. It was held in September 1998.

The day coincided with a Festival of speed day at the Brooklands Museum and so extra attractions were on show including Thrust 2, a Jordan F1 car, the electric bluebird and two MG EXF record breaking cars.

The number attending was nowhere near as great as the first two birthday parties being largely restricted to BBS users. Somewhere in the region of twenty to thirty cars attended.

1999

THE FOURTH BIRTHDAY PARTY

Photo Acknowledgement - Andy Gilhooley

The venue carried over from the previous year at Brooklands Museum in Surrey. It took place on the 26th September 1998.

Various traders were invited including Brown & Gammons,  Mike Satur  and Cheetah with their body kits.

Andy Phillips took Scarlet Fever apart and then put it back together again.

The MGFs were allowed to take runs up the test hill.

There were competitions in the form of a Gymkhana and a concours.

About 40 MGFs were in attendance.

2000

THE FIFTH BIRHDAY PARTY

I have very little evidence that this actually took place but people keep telling me that they went to it !. I've heard that it was a grey damp day - perhaps that's why there are few pictures around.  In any case this would be the last party until the tenth anniversary in 2005.

So if anyone has any photographic evidence of the fifth birthday party then please let me know  !!

HELP NEEDED !

2005

MGF 10

THE TENTH BIRTHDAY PARTY

Over 500 Fs and TFs made this the biggest gathering of both models ever.

Gerry McGovern attended and signed autographs and selected the car of the show. Rob Oldaker, Brian Griffin and Adrian Guyll from the MGF design team were also there answering questions on a Design Team Panel and signing autographs.

There were technical demonstrations by Andy Phillips (Scarlet Fever) who held three Scarlet's Workshops during the day.

Also talks by Elaine Osbourne on car care, Tony Osbourne on the Longbridge Factory, Alan Phillips on chassis Desgin and Chris Flanagan on fitting a KV6 engine .

There was a Pride of Ownership competition and MGF Gymkhana as well as a pub quiz and Treasure Hunt.

A number of awards were given out at the end of the day presented by Bill Wallis, President of the MG Car Club.

Throughout the day there were displays of cars including Modified cars, cars with websites, press cars, pre production car, race cars and a special enclosure for those cars registered in 1995.

In the museum were MGF 1 on special loan from Nanjing Automotive and one of the test bed Metro Mules along with the permanent museum exhibits of the EXE and PR5 concepts.

Many Photo Galleries sprung up afterwards but the official MGF 10 site is HERE