A biography of the man behind the MG.
M.G., the world’s most-loved make of sports car, was created in the 1920s by Cecil Kimber—invariably known as Kim. Rising above disability, with his energy, enthusiasm, and vision Kimber became a leading figure in the British motor industry.
Initially placing sporty bodies on Morris chassis, within a few years he had built M.G. into the leading European manufacturer of sports cars, with an impressive record of competition successes. He survived industrial upheaval only to fall victim to the venomous internal politics of M.G.’s parent company. Sacked from his high-profile job, he was preparing to bounce back when he lost his life in a needless accident.
Respected businessman, wayward husband, and fallible parent—Kimber was a man of surprising contrasts. Here for the first time is the colorful story of the man behind those famous initials.
M.G., the world’s most-loved make of sports car, was created in the 1920s by Cecil Kimber—invariably known as Kim. Rising above disability, with his energy, enthusiasm, and vision Kimber became a leading figure in the British motor industry.
Initially placing sporty bodies on Morris chassis, within a few years he had built M.G. into the leading European manufacturer of sports cars, with an impressive record of competition successes. He survived industrial upheaval only to fall victim to the venomous internal politics of M.G.’s parent company. Sacked from his high-profile job, he was preparing to bounce back when he lost his life in a needless accident.
Respected businessman, wayward husband, and fallible parent—Kimber was a man of surprising contrasts. Here for the first time is the colorful story of the man behind those famous initials.
Reviews
Table of Contents
Dedication
(Tribute to Dick Knudson)
Preface
Ch1
Early Life
Ch2
Cars and Planes – Learning the Trade
Ch3
The Man Behind the Name – William Morris
Ch4
Making a Marque
Ch5
Becoming Established
Ch6
Building a Range – and Discovering Devon
Ch7
The Move to Abingdon
Ch8
Sailing, Racing and a New Six-cylinder Car
Ch9
Technical Advances but a Marriage in Retreat
Ch10
Success in the Mille Miglia
Ch11
Cowley takes Charge
Ch12
Goodbye to Motor Racing
Ch13
Reconstruction and Disintegration
Ch14
A Marriage Ends, a New Car Arrives
Ch15
Record-breaking in Germany – and a Life Renewed
Ch16
Sunshine Before the Storm
Ch17
War on Two Fronts
Ch18
Victim of the Snakepit
Ch19
Starting out Again
Ch20
Conversations with the Tractor King
Ch21
The Death of Cecil Kimber
In Closing
Epilogue
The Kimber Family after 1945
Appendix 1
M.G. Car Company Accounts, 1930-35
Appendix 2
‘The Trend of Aesthetic Design in Motor Cars’
Appendix 3
Cecil Kimber on Sports Cars
Appendix 4
‘Making Modest Production Pay in Motor-Car Manufacture’
Appendix 5
Cecil Kimber on Motor Racing
Appendix 6
M.G. after Kimber
Postscript
When should the M.G. Centenary be Celebrated?
Acknowledgements
Bibliography
Index – and a Selection of Memorabilia
(Tribute to Dick Knudson)
Preface
Ch1
Early Life
Ch2
Cars and Planes – Learning the Trade
Ch3
The Man Behind the Name – William Morris
Ch4
Making a Marque
Ch5
Becoming Established
Ch6
Building a Range – and Discovering Devon
Ch7
The Move to Abingdon
Ch8
Sailing, Racing and a New Six-cylinder Car
Ch9
Technical Advances but a Marriage in Retreat
Ch10
Success in the Mille Miglia
Ch11
Cowley takes Charge
Ch12
Goodbye to Motor Racing
Ch13
Reconstruction and Disintegration
Ch14
A Marriage Ends, a New Car Arrives
Ch15
Record-breaking in Germany – and a Life Renewed
Ch16
Sunshine Before the Storm
Ch17
War on Two Fronts
Ch18
Victim of the Snakepit
Ch19
Starting out Again
Ch20
Conversations with the Tractor King
Ch21
The Death of Cecil Kimber
In Closing
Epilogue
The Kimber Family after 1945
Appendix 1
M.G. Car Company Accounts, 1930-35
Appendix 2
‘The Trend of Aesthetic Design in Motor Cars’
Appendix 3
Cecil Kimber on Sports Cars
Appendix 4
‘Making Modest Production Pay in Motor-Car Manufacture’
Appendix 5
Cecil Kimber on Motor Racing
Appendix 6
M.G. after Kimber
Postscript
When should the M.G. Centenary be Celebrated?
Acknowledgements
Bibliography
Index – and a Selection of Memorabilia