Owner: Jenny and Phil Grinham
Make/model: MGF 1.8I
Month/year of manufacture: 1996
Colour: Metallic British Racing Green
Engine size/type: 1.8 injection
PS: 120
Top speed: Brochure says 120mph
Gearbox type: Manual 5 speed
Area: Thames Valley
Date purchased: December 1998
Pet name of car: Just "The F"

History: We have owned the car since Christmas 1998, before that the car was in Japan, it probably went there in the first batch for sale after the European launch in September 1995. The car was supplied with its original documentation and, from the only non-Japanese script in the registration documents, it looks as though it had a registration of UFN-50341, registered April 1996. The factory fitted odometer reads 6668km, this was also supplied when a miles speedo/odometer was fitted at import back into the UK. Other features that were required for the Japanese market were a radio with different frequencies to the UK, this being adapted for the UK using a special band-shifter. It has a "wear seat belt" warning light and more Japanese script on areas of the fuel filler and sun visors.

The spec. of the car included electronic power steering and air conditioning, but suprisingly it does not have ABS, as many of the first export cars were fitted with it.

The F was purchased for use as a recreational vehicle for club runs, holidays, etc. Our previous MG ownership had been a 1966 1098cc Midget, sold to raise a deposit for a house in 1972. To date the F has had several tours around Scotland, Wales and East Anglia and a couple to France including a camping trip to Le Mans in 2003. Due to employment changes the F has become a daily driver as well as being used on club runs.

As a precaution the cylinder head gasket was changed when a small coolant leak was spotted below the inlet manifold. Other than that, the only time we have been let down by the F was during a MGF Register visit to the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter, when the immobiliser was locked out by other radio signals in the area stoping us from starting the car. It resulted in a tow by a friendly AA man for about half a mile to an area that allowed the plip to operate. It has been suggested by other ex-Japan F owners that the plip radio frequency may have been another variation in the Japanese specification.

It is our intention to keep the F, having attended both the 5th and 10th Birthday meetings and we look forward to more. We also attend runs organised by the MGF Register and the Abingdon Works Centre of the MG Car Club.

We have thoroughly enjoyed driving the F, having met many new friends and aquaintances from all over the world, and seen many new places.

As an aside, my previous employment involved motor vehicle accident repair research, during which time I saw early pre-production examples of the F, it was mainly this experience of seeing it in its bare bones state that influenced our decision to buy the F.

No mechanical mods have been made, only some minor upgrading to the trim and an addition of a Newton Commercial wind-stop.

Most of the servicing I do myself but the more complex, like a cambelt change, I get a local garage with a K series experienced technician to do.

Many thanks to both Register and Club Centre Committees for organising excellent events for all M.G drivers.

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