MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MG Y Type - Abingdon Factory

Perhaps I've not been paying attention but today I took my YB into Abingdon and past where I thought the gate remains of the MG factory should be and they seem to have gone.
Is this true, I took a friend who know the area back there later and where he thinks the gates were is a new building.
And I thought I read all the magazines in detail.
Ted Gardner

Ted, its all history I am afraid. Everything demolished apart from the old Office Block which you find at the end of Cementary Road.

Bas
VA 0251
TD 23222
Bas

Sad news as I thought the gates were still there too- I wonder what happened to them?. A photo of Phil Reckless's YB outside the gates appeared in a copy of 'Practical Motorist' "Cars Worth Keeping" series circa 1981, if you would like to see a YB pictured there - I have a copy somewhere.
David Mullen

I really had thought the gates were still there, but now it is mostly bland modern buildings. If the Office Block is still standing that will be worth a visit. I mustn't keep putting things off!
Thank you Bas & David.
Ted Gardner

As of the Summer of 2000, the original MG factory office building was still standing as usual at the end of Cemetery Rd. As I remember from old pictures, is has not changed externally (apart from the removal of the MG logo) but it was then in the process of being changed internally into rental offices on the ground floor, with apartments on the upper floors. I don't remember seeing any gate at the entrance, but there could well have been one. As for the actual factory buildings, most of them were razed to make room for a new (UGLY) building to serve as headquarters for the Oxfordshire police. However, a couple of the old buildings on the West side of Marcham Rd. still survive and are in use by various small manufacturers. I entered one of them and found a small display and plaque commemorating the fact that the building had once been a part of the MG factory.
Sad, but true, one has to LOOK avidly to find any sign the MG once was in Abingdon. The plaques, etc. are there, but for the most part, you really have to search to find them. Boundary House, and the Magic Midget pub were still there, each with a number of photos & poster depicting MGs.
My wife and I are hoping to spend the Summer of 2004 in or near Abingdon, so I'll try to remember to post an update on some of this when we get back home.
In the meantime, Merry Christmas, and a Happy & Prosperous New Year to all!
Carl
Carl

I seem to remember the old gate complete with signs was auctioned and went to the USA.
Anybody knows ??
Bas

Guys,
I can confirm no gates and the Admin Building is still at the end of Cemetry Rd next to the club rooms. If you go to Events in the menu and scroll to Antipodean Adventure you will see a pic of our YT 3208 in front on it's birthday 54 years on, taken on our recent UK Euro Tour. I have a pic taken at the other end under the bay windows that were Cecil Kimber's and John Thornley's office. If you ask the current tenants nicely I am sure thet would let you go up and peer out the window to where the factory once stood. Oxford Eng. occupy the buildings across the road that were part of the plant and there is a poster showing their involvement. I have a pic of this I could send. By the way the old MG signs you see in old photos of the Admin. Bld. still exist, they are laying against the fence behind the club rooms. Richo YT 3208
Richard Prior

The factory site is now occupied by Thames Valley Police headquaters and control room; the loading entrace is now a round-a-bout with a MacDonalds fast food outlet.

Neil.
Neil Cairns

This thread was discussed between 14/12/2003 and 18/12/2003

MG MG Y Type index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MG Y Type BBS now