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MG TD TF 1500 - Location of MF factory in Abingdon

I'm heading off to the UK for a week starting April 1st. Fancy the thought that in traveling from Stonehenge to the Peak district we'll somehow be passing by or through Abingdon. Since I'll be the driver and navigator that was fairly easy to pull-off. (Thought about trying to go to Coventry to see where the Jag's are made too...but figured that might be pushing it a bit !) Anyway...does anyone know the specific street/address in Abingdon where the old factory was? Though it might be nice to see where the TF was made even if there might not be too much left to see anymore.

Might even try and get an old brick from the factory. That might prove interesting trying to explain it as I pass through customs on the way back.

Thanks in advance for any info anyone may have on it's location.

Cheers!

Jim
Jim Rice

Sorry.....Thread should read...MG Factory....fat fingers tonight!
Jim Rice

Jim - Just go to the MGCC office - It is at the site of the old factory. Don't expect to see anything of the old factory though, it is completely gone (iincluding all the old bricks. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Hello Jim,

Saw your post this morning and have to admit I am amazed at the irony. I'm from the Bay Area myself, and my company operates a facility in Abingdon. Our address is actually 25 Nuffield Way, and our facility is on the approximate site of the old Competitions Department.

There is not much remaining to be seen here of the MG days, aside from the town itself and the MGCC, which is actually the real former headquarters building of the company. The factory has been dismantled some time ago, plowed under and a new industrial park has been erected in its place. The actual site is along Marcham Road, which can be found as an exit from the A-40. The hospital, which was once surrounded by the factory buildings, is still there. If you were to walk around town, you might be fortunate enough to be able to speak with some of the former employees, who typically are happy to share experiences. There are a few restaurants that carry remnants of the MG days, such as the Och Mill, located across from the former Main Gate. I usually stay at the Four Pillars Hotel, which was built with many obvious octagonal architechtural features. The town is quite charming from an historical perspective.

A further touch of irony is that I am in the UK at the moment, writing from this very location. If you are interested in learning more about the area and what to see, send a note to my e-mail address.

Tom
Tom Balutis

Here is a map to the MG Car Club in one of the old factory buildings.... http://www.mg-roadster.de/MGHISTORY/factory.htm

Here is the site now: http://www.abingdonbusinesspark.co.uk/ - 'info/location'

The old admin building is now apartments (one is in Cecil Kimber's old office) http://www.angelfire.com/ia3/mg/plac2.JPG

Look familiar? http://www.angelfire.com/ia3/mg/office_20block.JPG
gblawson - TD#27667

Sorry..this should be below the 'look familiar'
http://gblandco.com/gb/mgadmin.jpg
gblawson - TD#27667

Good Morning Gordon
Nice work, but on the last picture, I seem to remember seeing the same picture with a MG with a checkered grill coming out of the factory? John
John

While you're in Abingdon, check out the Boundry House. (If it's still there) It was the home of Cecil Kimber and later became a restaurant. We had lunch there a couple of times on our visits to the UK but I heard something about the tearing down of the building. Not sure if it still exists. But if it does and is still the Boundry House, it's well worth a visit. Also check out the magic midget Pub (if that's stil there).

George Herschell
George R Herschell

The Magic Midget Pub has, unfortunately been turned into a pizza joint, with only one picture of anything MG left inside. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Just a note, the Jaguar factory in Coventry finally closed it's doors a year or so ago. Another end to another era.

Larry
L Karpman

... and by no means neglect the MINI plant! It is relatively nearby, only a few miles from Abingdon centre between Abingdon and Oxford. This is one heck of an operating plant, and is now open for tours.
Tom Balutis

Thanks to all for the info. Looking forward to the trip. Gordon, thanks for the reference photos....I'll try and see if I can find the "Apartment building"...how sad...but at least the building is still standing....hummmm...don't suppose they'd miss one brick do you? I'll also contact the MGCC. They probably know where anything MG still is.

Regards,

Jim
Jim Rice

Hi Jim,
I think the first part of your question has been admirably dealt with-all you have to do now is to find the time to fit it all in.
As far as a brick from the Factory is concerned, you may be interested to lean that a few years ago, the "Abingdon Works Centre" of the MGCC rescued a number of genuine Abingdon Bricks and these were Numbered and being sold with a certificate of Authentication, to raise funds for the Centre.
You could try contacting their Regalia Secretary via the website,
www.mgabingdon.org.uk

If this fails and you really want to carry a "brick" home through Customs, I could sell you one of mine that I bought.
Have a good trip and enjoy the UK.
Keith D Herkes

Jim,

I see you are also going to the Peak District. As that's my turf, you are more than welcome to drop in for a cup of tea/noggin/beer.... See No.47 on gbl's photo site.

Cheers

Has. Oldham
HJ Oldham

Just wanted to say thanks to all who responded with comments, directions, tips, insights, and offers both here and those sent to my e-mail address. What a great group this is.

Best regards,

Jim
Jim Rice

Sorry folks, but I'm a bit confused. I haven't been to Abingdon for 4 years, so I don't know if the old factory has been razed for student housing as I'm led to believe by others, or if it still stands.

Can someone pls straighten me out.

And God forbid if any harm has come to the Boundry House ... pulled more than one Hen there! If you do go, take note of the plaque under the window, in commemeration of the NEMGTR 1990 Circuit of Britain.

I believe the Regalia Secretary for the MGCC is John Innes - JohnI@mgcc.co.uk.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.

Gordon A. Clark

The factory was torn down and the Industrial Park (see above) was built on the site... the old admin building is apartments and the MG Club has a side building.... Its pretty well all gone!
gblawson - TD#27667

Thanks Gord. I meant the Admin building. At least there's a bit of the history still standing.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A. Clark

This thread was discussed between 21/03/2007 and 24/03/2007

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