.... and MGF/TF QI Facts 29 through to 33
29)
Rover wanted to give a preview to their dealer network prior to the official launch date. The BMIHT Museum next to Rover's Technical centre at Gaydon was chosen as the venue.
The lower exhibition area was transformed with a false floor, beneath which the two cars were hidden until the dramatic moment when the floor slid back and the two cars rose on turntables to a rapturous reception. The cars were in Flame Red and British Racing Green and both were drawn from the D1 batch of cars.
The VIN numbers were; SPL2038M228D1V428 (RED) SPL2037M227D1V428 (BRG)
30)
The MGF was so-named because the ADO21 was called MGD during development and the MG EX-E covered the MG-E name. Even though the MGD name was used during the development of the ADO21, the media for once were wide of the mark when they speculated that the new car would be launched as the MGD.
The original MG D-type Midget was produced in 1931 and 1932
31)
The bore and stroke measurements of the 1.8-litre K-series engine were all but identical to the B-series found in the MGB – 80.0mm x 89.3mm compared with 80.3mm x 88.9mm.
32)
The following information is widely accepted at true;
Plans for exporting the MGF to the USA were put on hold by BMW, who felt that it would threaten their own newly launched Z3 model. The company cited homologation costs as a reason, but engineering the MGF to be as user-friendly as it was points to a development programme aimed squarely at the US market – and BMW did not want their British division to spoil the party.
However, another two reasons may better explain why the MGF never went on sale in the USA;
It was said that it was known from the start of the project that the car would not be sold in the US which is very tough and MG did not want to do what they had done with the MGB and lose money on every car sold. Production was set at 16,000 units per year and it was recognised that it would take twice that number to satisfy the US in addition to the rest of the world. It would have cost a huge amount to double production and doubling production would be the minimum step up in production required. MG would not even consider that. They did at one stage suggest that production could not increase as Mayflower, the manufacturer of the MGF body shell, were unable to supply bodies fast enough.
The second reason was an ongoing legal problem with a dealer network left over from the Rover Sterling sales attempt in the 80's. This problem was not insurmountable but contributed to making the US market even less attractive.
33)
When MG Rover slid into oblivion in April 2005, it did so with the TF as the best selling car in its class in the UK.
You can find many more interesting MG related facts by taking a look at the
MG Quiz thread