Brooklands MG Era Day 2016

The 80th birthday of the MG TA – the first in a long line of ‘T’ series cars – will be a special focus of Brooklands Museum’s annual MG Era Day on Sunday April 10, when all models of this iconic marque from 1924 to the present day will be celebrated.

The new MG TA was introduced in 1936; it was longer, wider and roomier than its predecessor, the P-Type Midget. The TA was the first car off the production line at the Abingdon factory after Nuffield sold MG to Morris Motors.

In total, 3,003 were made and, despite the despondency of the workforce arising from the consolidation and need for profitability from management, 20 years later in 1956 the Abingdon factory was producing 300 MGAs per week, with around 95% leaving British soil, the highest-ever export percentage for a British-manufactured car.

Along with the dozens of MG ‘T’ series and MGAs of all variants anticipated to be on show, the organisers expect to see a special display of very rare early MGs from the Vintage Register of the MG Car Club.

Other clubs and groups that have already booked to be on site include the MGF Register who will be marking their 21st anniversary this year and are hoping to feature a special display of rare ‘Monogram’ cars demonstrating the lustrous multi-layered pigment finishes seen adorning these mid-engined models which have a distinctive pearlescent or ‘chromeaflare’ effect.

At 1.15pm there will be a cavalcade of a wide variety of MG models on the circuit at Mercedes-Benz World and, back on the Museum site, the famous Test Hill will be open for those brave enough to ascend it at 2.30pm. ‘Pride and Joy’ Awards will be presented at 3.30pm.

Visitors to this extravaganza will also be able to see the Museum’s incredible collection of classic cars, motorcycles and aircraft, including the only Concorde open to the public in the region. The 4D Theatre will be running a choice of three exhilarating Experiences, taking visitors back in time to race on the Brooklands Circuit, at Le Mans in 1956 or flying as part of the Red Arrows Air Display Team.

Both the 4D Theatre and the Concorde Experience require separate booking, so to avoid disappointment, they should be booked on arrival. The Sunbeam Café will be open all day for refreshments and the Museum Shop will be stocked with books, DVDs, models and lots of Brooklands and MG-related memorabilia.

Gates open to the public at 10am and entrance fees are as follows: Adults £11; Seniors £10; Children (5-16 yrs) £6.00; Children Under 5 FREE; Family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children) £30. For full details visit www.brooklandsmuseum.com or telephone 01932 857381. The half-hour Concorde Experience is an extra £5 each for adults, £3 each for children while the eight minute 4D Theatre rides are £4 each for adults and £2 for children. Height and other restrictions apply.

Access to the Museum site for MGs is via the Campbell Gate off Brooklands Road (the B374). Parking for visitors who are not arriving in MGs will be in The Heights off Wellington Way – please follow event signage.