Categories: This Day

April 12, 1888 – Cecil Kimber, founder of MG, in born

On this day in 1888 Cecil Kimber was born in London to Henry and Fanny Kimber. In 1928 he would be responsible for the founding of MG, though his interest in automobiles was preceded by a love of motorcycles. Following a riding accident, he took to four wheel vehicles, first purchasing a 10 hp Singer in 1913. A year later he took a job with Sheffield-Simplex, a British car and motorcycle maker, as assistant to the chief designer.

Above: The author’s VW powered 1952 MG TD kit car. Top: This 1925 MG, with Cecil at the wheel, is dubbed Old Number One, but it wasn’t the first MG produced, but the first manufactured specifically for racing competition. It made its debut at the 1925 Lands End Trial.

After bouncing around with a few different automakers he landed a long term position with Morris Motors Limited. While there he developed specialized bodies for the cars, focusing on sports car styling. This role led him to become the driving force in the official founding of MG

, which stands for Morris Garages, in 1924. Cecil died in 1945 when a train he was riding in derailed. He was 56 years old.

Cover Image: This 1925 MG, with registration number FC 7900, is dubbed Old Number One, but it wasn’t the first MG produced, rather the first manufactured specifically for racing competition. It made its debut at the 1925 Lands End Trial.

Brian Corey

Recent Posts

December 15, 1969 – The last Plymouth Superbird

The story of the Plymouth Superbird and its development is fairly well-known, so we won't…

3 days ago

December 14, 1987 – AMC Eagle production ends

1983 AMC Eagle Wagon. By Christopher Ziemnowicz The history of American Motors Corporation (AMC) begins…

4 days ago

December 13, 1939 – The first Lincoln Continental

A first generation Lincoln Continental When Edsel Ford requested a personal luxury vehicle to use…

5 days ago

December 12, 2000 – GM announces end of Oldsmobile

At the time Oldsmobile closed its doors in 2004 it was the oldest surviving American…

6 days ago

December 11, 1990 – The 1990 I-75 Fog Disaster

The 1990 Interstate 75 fog disaster stands as one of the most tragic and impactful…

7 days ago

December 10, 1915 – The 1,000,000th Ford

Ford Model T c.1915 Henry Ford had one goal: put the world on wheels. To…

1 week ago