A variety of original MG V8s, built in Abingdon, and more modern MG RV8s, built at Cowley were displayed on Abingdon Market Place today to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the car’s launch.
The MG V8 was produced by MG from 1973 to 1976 and was based on the MGB, but strengthened to hold the larger V8 engine. Only 2,591 MG V8s were produced, making it a rare and collectable car.
For more information see https://www.v8register.net/
A meet of the MGs in Abingdon is a popular event, especially on Boxing Day, and has taken over from the Old Berks Hunt.
Richard Martin and his wife Gill organise the get together these days. Richard said the get together was originally organised by John Harris and John Venables. The obituary for John Venables was in the Oxford Mail 2 months ago. John Venables was an Oxford city businessman (Shepherd and Woodward manager) and had a collection of five classic MGs, that he restored.
The red building behind was the Queen’s public house in the pictures shown of the Old Berks hunt . It will be opening as a Starbucks on 28th December 2021.
There was a large gathering of MG Cars on Abingdon Market Place as part of the 25th annual Boxing Day meeting and rally.
This included some of the 1.3 million+ MG cars made at the Abingdon Works, off the Marcham Road from 1930 to 1980.
Richard Martin, the Chairman of the MG Car Club – Abingdon Works Centre, gave people instructions about the route.
Cars left in their own time on this mild boxing day morning.
Musical entertainment was provided by Ian Giles who, when not busking in Abingdon, plays for the Oxford Waits.
There are black and white pictures of the Old Berks Hunt setting out from the Market Place on Boxing Day in years gone by. These years there is a gathering of MGs on Abingdon Market Place on Boxing Day.
In 2015, MGs started arriving at about 9:30, and the last one came in just after 11:00am.
I counted over 40 at one point but there were others that came and went after that. Costa were doing a good trade, and the Sales had started at the clothes shops like M&Co and Fat Face.
Many people and dogs had come to look at the Mgs. This is Morris a one year old Basset Griffon Vendeen.
Some of the cars were going on a Boxing Day Drive, ending at The Prince of Wales pub in Shippon, and drivers are seen here being given instructions of the route.
Others came to socialise with other MG owners.