JustBritish

It was understandable that MG should want to mark its return to business in the UK last year by launching a comprehensively-equipped version of the TF sports car, in the form of the LE 500.

But all the extra features included with the car ended up taking its price above £16,000 -and into the area occupied by its formidable roadster rival the Mazda MX-5.Now the entry-level version of the TF has arrived and, in retrospect, the Chinese-owned firm may have been better served by going with the standard car from the word go.The new MG TF 135 will retail for £13,511, which in itself is not bad value for a 1.8 litre, mid-engined soft-top sports car.

Throw the government’s scrappage scheme into the equation, however, and you can get a new TF for £11,511, plus your old banger as a trade-in.

And at this sort of price point – around the same as a Renault Clio 1.2 Dynamique – the TF starts to look quite tasty.Bar some minor trim alterations, notably to the grille, the car is essentially the same as the limited edition model – only without leather seats, air conditioning, rear parking sensor, the spare hard top roof or a wind deflector.And of the above list, I would suggest only the last is really necessary, as it really can get blowy in an open top car without a deflector.

Air conditioning may be desirable in most vehicles but do you really need it when you can throw back the roof in a matter of seconds?

The TF 135 has a new Clarion sound system with the usual small fiddly buttons that come with many after market sound systems. Other than that, it’s pretty much the same as the LE 500.Compared to some of the modern front-wheel drive open-top cars of today the TF offers an ‘old school’ driving experience.

The engine is gruff-sounding, the steering on the heavy side, and there’s no ESP to interfere with the handling (or help keep you on the straight and narrow in the wet).

The TF is not particularly refined but can hit 60mph in eight and a half seconds. It’s possible to have to some fun with this car – even if the lumpy five-speed gearbox does its best to be a killjoy.Folding back the roof is a simple matter. You unclip two catches and push back the canvas.

If you want the car to look at its topless best you’ll have to fetch the tonneau out of the boot and clip it on; there are around half a dozen studs.

Though the engine is tucked away behind the passenger cabin, there is still enough room for a reasonable boot at the back.While access to the engine bay may be tricky, owners can attend to oil, water and the battery matters by opening the bonnet. The front compartment also houses a proper spare tyre too.Much has been made of the fact that the TF is based on an ageing design but this need not be a problem if the price is right.

After all, Morgan is still doing tidy business down the road in Malvern making cars like the 4/4, which first appeared as long ago as 1955.

Ok, you may not be getting the build quality of an Audi TT Roadster or the handling of a Porsche Boxster – but the TF is half the price of a TT soft top and nearly a third of the price of the Porsche. MG is further boosting the TF 135’s value by equipping the first 120 cars with leather seats at no extra cost, so it may pay to get in quick if you have your eyes on one and can be flexible over choice of colour.The new MG TF 135 will receive its local launch this weekend at Summit Garage in Himley Road, Dudley.

From The Express & Star.

I’ve always loved sports cars. I think I got the bug back when I was a young kid growing up in the Richmond district of San Francisco. This was in the 1950s when they would have sports car races through Golden Gate Park. My dad would take me to these sanctioned races, which were held on weekends. I especially remember the MG TDs, Porsches and Allards. But by far the most impressive to me were the Jaguar XK120s, which were the hottest cars out there.

As I grew older and started driving, I was drawn to European sports cars. The first two that I owned were used Triumphs, which were all that I could afford at the time. What I really lusted after, though, was one of the Jaguar XK120s that I had fallen in love with at Golden Gate Park. But Jags were too expensive for my wallet at the time. Besides that, they had a reputation for mechanical failure and were expensive to fix. As I got older my attraction to sports cars remained strong but switched from British to German. During my thirties and forties I owned a BMW and two Porsches. These were relatively expensive cars that would have been out of my league if I had purchased them new from a dealer.

About five years ago I started getting a hankering for something different. I still enjoyed the sports car experience, but this time I wanted something a little bit more refined, smoother, quieter and easier to drive. My research showed me that a Jaguar XK8 might meet my needs. In the late 1980s Jaguar was purchased by Ford Motor company, and they totally redeveloped the line. They got rid of the old mechanical elements that were so unreliable and difficult to maintain, but the kept the traditional looks of the old Jaguar line in retro form. The XK8 is similar in appearance to the Jaguar XKEs of the 1960s and ’70s, which in turn were an evolution of the original XK120s. The interior, although much more refined than its predecessors, still bears the signature burl wood dash of the old XKs that I first saw in Golden Gate Park 50 years ago.

One of the interesting things about the XK8 is that it was the first eight-cylinder production car ever made by Jaguar. Although V8s were a mainstay of most U.S. manufacturers for decades, Jags had always sported six, 10 and 12 cylinders; this model was really a departure for the company. It was also one of the first brand-new models developed under Ford’s ownership regime, so perhaps it has a bit of Detroit under the hood.

To me the lines of the XK8 are beautiful, the engine is quiet but powerful and the handling is tight. The ergonomics make every thing smooth and easy. When you open and close the doors they automatically crack open slightly because the fit is so tight. The top is fully automatic and goes up and down in seconds. These are some of the niceties of upper-level vehicles whose costs are often prohibitive.

This car cost around $75,000 when it was new in 1999, and I bought it in 2004 with 20,000 miles on it for $30,000 and it was in excellent condition. This is a big savings for a car with such low mileage. I have often thought about why the car was so inexpensive, and it is probably due to Jaguar’s poor reputation during the 20 or so years prior to Ford’s buyout. I’ve owned the car for almost five years and have had no major problems. I’m totally happy with it and will probably keep for a long time. Its well sculptured lines give it a unique look. It is as reliable as any other brand in its class. I think it was – and still is – a steal of a deal.

From San Francisco Chronicle. Cal Tabucchi, 66, taught junior high school in Los Gatos for 28 years and sold real estate for the next 10 years. He recently retired and currently lives in Aptos.

MG 2009 is an event that all of you British car lovers aren’t going to want to miss. It starts June 24th and runs until June 28th. This is a North America MGB Register’s annual event that is hosted by a different chapter of The MG Car Club each time, so we are very lucky to have this national meet right in our own backyards. This year’s host is The MG Car Club Rocky Mountain Centre.

Now most of the events had to be registered for as part of the club, but there is one that will surely draw attention: The Peak 9 Car Show and Concours. The event will be on Saturday, June 27th in Breckenridge. More details to follow as I get them, so check back soon or check out the MG2009 website here.

Another event that might be of interest is the Gold Rush Rallye on Friday, June 26th. If you have a spare moment you might be able to catch 100 different MG’s competing to win this Time, Speed, Distance Rallye. More details to follow on this event as I get them

Bottom line—If you love MGs and want to catch a glimpse of some here in Colorado, then you should head up to Breckenridge…you never know what you are going to find. I hear there are some rare MGs scheduled to make an appearance.

From: The Examiner

As the new season of Top Gear starts, you can almost feel the excitement on the wires. Well, maybe I exaggerate a bit, but people really are eagerly awaiting the new season of their favorite car show.

As proof, check out the new fansite dedicated to Top Gear at site www.topgearshow.com. With subject ranging from the recent Stig reveal controversy to the reviewed cars themselves, there is a ton of good information on the site. (Let’s just hope they devote a nice section to Oliver, my favorite car from the show.) They are trying to create the ultimate fan site that is dedicated to classic moments of May, Clarkson and Hammond, so stop by and take a look.

And don’t forget to tune in to Top Gear!