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 ...
