Steve Cropley
MY WEEK IN CARS
Evoque’s shape still impresses, and 68mpg isn’t shabby either
SATURDAY
We car lovers are having a helluva summer. The Covid concertina effect on dates has ensured there’s a blockbuster motoring event every day of every weekend for the foreseeable future. I was delighted to be at an important one at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon, the ‘25th+1’ anniversary celebrations for the MG F, a car ignored for far too long. I spent a cheery halfhour chatting publicly about it with Nick Fell (chief project engineer), David Knowles (who wrote the book) and Denis Chick (who ran the 1995 press launch).
The technical recipe for the F – lightweight K-series engine, transverse mid-mounted powertrain, spacious cockpit yet compact exterior, Rover Metro subframes carrying supple Hydragas suspension, pretty Gerry McGovern styling – still makes a desirable roadster today. No wonder the 600 owners at the British Motor Museum were so conspicuously proud of their cars. The F always deserved respect, and now it’s getting some.