Rare Rides: South of the Border Waits an MG TF From 2003

MG marked a return to its roadster roots after a long slumber with its 1990s F model. Wanting more, they developed it into today’s Rare Ride, a TF from 2003.

MG’s status changed for the better in 1993, with the reintroduction of the RV8 model; a limited edition and V8-powered version of the old MGB. Austin Rover dusted off the MG production line and built some new old convertibles from 1993 to 1995.

The MGB’s short-lived reincarnation was in preparation for something new — the F. The model was developed during a trying time for Rover Group, as its owner, British Aerospace, was in the process of finding an interested buyer to take over its automotive assets. Said interested buyer was BMW. By the time the F went on sale, Rover was under the control of the Roundel. The year was 1995, and customers outside North America could head to their local Rover/MG dealer and buy a brand new MG.

Mid-engine and rear-drive, the F was a departure from past MG models. The company hoped to participate in the early ’90s Roadster Revival, competing with cars like the Mazda Miata and Lotus Elan.

The F remained in production through 1999, at which point it was lightly revised into a Mark II version. Sales continued through even more troubles at Rover Group, as BMW went about breaking up its entities. In 2000 Land Rover went to Ford, and MG and Rover went to Phoenix. Production continued on the original F through 2001, bringing us to the revised TF for 2002.

Redesigned and reworked to a considerable extent, the TF ditched the complicated hydragas suspension of the F, replacing it with a more conventional coil spring suspension. The engines received changes as well, and, with new air induction and camshafts, produced more power than previous versions.

Power was provided via 1.6- and 1.8-liter engines, all of inline-four variety. Base 1.6 models generated 114 horsepower, while three different versions of the 1.8-liter engine managed between 118 and 158 horsepower. While most versions came equipped with a five-speed manual transmission, the most basic version of the 1.8 could be had with a Stepspeed CVT.

By most metrics, the MG TF was competitive and successful for a roadster offering from a small manufacturer. But changes in ownership for Rover were again on the horizon. After just over three years in production, Phoenix found itself in bankruptcy. MG Rover stopped production, and the company again changed hands.

Nanjing Automobile Group purchased MG Rover’s assets during the bankruptcy action, and started building the TF once more in 2007. The company moved manufacture from Longbridge in the UK to its own factory in Nanjing.

Longbridge was not left out for long, as in 2008 Nanjing started producing the TF in the UK once more. Workers at the Longbridge factory assembled roadsters from CKD kits built in China. The UK production venture was ultimately unsuccessful, and just 906 TFs were built there. The TF would remain in production in China through 2011.

Today’s Rare Ride is a 2003 TF, located in Mexico. With a very low 6,200 miles on the clock, it asks $10,452.

[Images: seller]