The MG Rover Group Limited, is an independent, medium sized, British company producing cars under the Rover and MG brands from the Longbridge Birmingham plant. The company started life with a debt free balance sheet and a strong revenue stream, which included car sales, parts, accessories and vehicle financing. It also benefited from over £3 billion of investment by the previous owners.

The early history of the MG Rover Group reflects the way the British motor industry developed at the start of the 20th century. Many people turned their hands to manufacturing vehicles at this time and a wide range of independent vehicle manufacturers emerged. The majority of these lasted only a few years or were quickly taken over by other companies.

The Rover company developed through the grouping, regrouping, merger and take-over of many famous names in British motoring. These changes started almost from the moment the first British-built vehicle appeared on the roads (credited to Dr Frederick Lanchester who built a four-wheeled petrol driven car in 1895).

When John Starley and William Sutton went into partnership in 1877 to manufacture penny farthing cycles and tricycles at Coventry, they laid the foundations of the Rover company. The name Rover was first used for one of their tricycles which was produced in 1884. After a succession of motorcycles, the first car, an 8hp model, was introduced in 1904. In 1906, the company became the Rover Company Ltd.

In 1907, a Rover 20hp car won the International Tourist Trophy race on the Isle of Man. Production of cycles, motorcycles and cars continued up to the First World War when Rover turned to Government contracts for military vehicles, mortars, gas shells and other munitions work.

In 1920, the Rover 8hp was produced and more than 17,000 were manufactured up to 1925. The 14/15hp model of 1924 was awarded the Dewar Trophy by the RAC. The company gained more prestige in 1930 when a Light Six car raced the Continental Express, 750 miles across France for 20 hours and reached Calais 20 minutes ahead of the train.

During the Second World War, more than 21,000 people were employed producing aero engines, tank engines and aircraft wings. Behind the scenes, the company was working on the secret development of a small gas turbine engine. On March 8, 1959, the world’s first gas turbine propelled car was launched, culminating in the T4, an advanced car with four-wheel drive, disc brakes and independent suspension. In 1963, Rover raced at Le Mans, covering 2,588 miles at an average speed of almost 108 mph.

In 1967 the Rover company merged with the Leyland Motor Corporation and the following year became part of Britain’s largest motor manufacturing organisation, with the merger of the Leyland Group and British Motor Holdings to form the British Leyland Motor Corporation.

In 1968, the Leyland Motor Corporation and British Motor Holdings merged to form one large car and commercial vehicle organisation, British Leyland Motor Corporation.

In 1975, the company became British Leyland and in 1978 it was known as BL.

In June 1984 the Rover range was extended to include a highly specified range of smaller cars; the Rover 200 series. The latest version of the Rover 200 series was launched in 1989, followed by the Rover 400 range of mid-sized executive cars in March 1990.

In July 1986, the Rover 800 series was introduced, a luxurious range of executive cars with advanced styling and technology in design and manufacture. When the Rover 800 was introduced Sir Graham Day was appointed chairman of British Leyland. He quickly named the company Rover Group and began a programme of moving the company and its products upmarket and away from mass-produced cars. Sir Graham set about completing a privatisation programme which saw many of British Leyland’s subsidiaries being sold.

In 1988 the Rover Group was sold to British Aerospace

In early 1994 the Rover Group was taken over by the German car maker BMW. On March 16, 2000, BMW announced fundamental ‘reorganisation plans’ that split the company apart and resulted in the sale of the key constituent parts of the group.

The 1999 London Motor Show represented a historic milestone in the evolution of the Rover manqué beneath BMW ownership, with the world-debut of the new Rover 25 and 45 ranges. Positioned alongside the successful Rover 75, the new 25 and 45 ranges provided a clearer indication of the future role and direction of the Rover marque.

In 2000, MG Rover Group Ltd took responsibility for the Longbridge car facilities producing the Rover 25, 45 and 75 models plus MGF the top selling roadster.

On March 16, 2000, BMW announced fundamental ‘reorganisation plans’ that split the company apart and resulted in the sale of the key constituent parts of the group.

In 2001, the plants built the Rover 75 Tourer model and a range of three MG sports saloons.

MG Rover announced the building of the 1.5 millionth MG car since production began in 1924 to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee. MG has long been the by-word for sports car motoring and over its history, the proportion of roadster and sports saloon models produced runs at exactly 2:1, with the MGB itself accounting for one third in its own right.

In 1977 a similar project produced a specially prepared MGB GT finished in blue paintwork with Silver Jubilee livery, to celebrate the Silver Jubilee. This car was sold with proceeds raising money for charity.

John Sanders, MG Rover’s group marketing director, said: "The MG marque is one of the most popular and enduring motoring marques, with a strong and enthusiastic following. The exclusivity of the MG experience is demonstrated by the 1.5 million MG’s produced. This is no mainstream volume brand, but an authentic car capable of generating a rewarding driving experience for owners who demand more than just mere A-B transportation. The latest MG four model range delivers this exciting experience in a bold and dynamic way and is as authentic in its rewarding driving attitude as those that have been produced over the years."

It was significant that the 1.5 millionth MG should be the new TF, for was the latest of a new range of MG sports cars and it currently holds the torch as the icon of the MG brand into the 21st century.

The 1.5 millionth MG Golden Jubilee was painted in a new paint treatment under the Monogram programme. Monogram is a range of 20 exclusive paint colours, one of which is ‘Monogram Jubilee’, a light, bright special Supertallic Gold that is available for an £800 additional charge.

Specified around the top of the range TF 160, this celebration model has been fitted with optional fog lamps and passenger air bag. The seats are uniquely fitted with Oxford leather seat bolsters and central black Alcantara cushions and seat backs, which are embroidered with the Golden Jubilee crown logo.

On the exterior, exclusive badging includes official Golden Jubilee crown logos — on the four 16 inch alloy wheels and also incorporated into the ‘160’ ingot badge on the rear, next to the TF identity badging. Above the mid-engine side-intakes are the words ‘THE 1.5 MILLIONTH MG’. The MG is registered MG02 OTF, so that there is no mistaking its special production significance.

The Golden Jubilee TF participated in a motoring cavalcade that finished in the Mall on 4 June and in between, was used to raise money, the proceeds going to one of the Queen’s nominated Golden Jubilee charities.