Paving the way for the successful MG MGF, this prototype was hidden from view at the Longbridge factory for nearly quarter of a century. Brought to the British Motor Museum in 2023 to begin its restoration, it is presented here for the first time.

From the mid-1980s, MG Rover was planning a revival of the MG marque. A number of projects began in parallel for a sports car of varying configurations with the code name PR (Phoenix Revival), but only one would eventually develop into MG’s new sports car to compete with Mazda’s MX-5 that was launched in 1989.

The first stage in the PR3 project was a prototype created by external automotive consultants ADC. It was influenced by the Toyota MR2 with a mid-engined layout that could use an existing engine and gearbox. Further styling was undertaken by Steve Harper of MGA Developments where the MGF started to appear.

Final styling was taken forward by in-house designer Gerry McGovern (now JLR’s Chief Creative Officer), who was influenced by his previous design for MG EX-E, which is also in the Museum’s collection, and F-16. By the end of this work, PR3 finally became the MGF which was released to great acclaim in 1995.