King Charles III drove one through the streets of London during the ‘swinging ’60s’ when still a dapper young Prince.

Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman looked the epitome of cool, staring down the barrel of the camera lens and sitting astride the bonnet of his.

Even the king of rock ’n’ roll himself, Elvis Presley, took a turn at the wheel in the 1961 surfing rom-com Blue Hawaii.

The distinctive octagon-shaped badge of MG is the common theme linking these and many other celebrities through the decades.

The famous automotive marque celebrates its 100th anniversary this year with a rich history of trend-setting models that makes it a natural choice to be this year’s RACQ MotorFest feature marque.

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While MG’s roots are steeped in similar traditions to other famous British car makers, its unique back story began when William Morris of The Morris Garages, in Oxford, UK, approved the production of six sporting two-seater models based on the more demure fourseat Morris Cowley.

That seminal moment, which occurred 100 years ago this year, came about thanks to the effort of Morris’s employee Cecil Kimber, whose passion for racing led him to steer his ‘hotted up’ Morris to line honours in the 1923 London to Land’s End Trial.

It was Kimber who first affixed the MG name to the nose of a modified Morris, creating the sporting persona that became synonymous with MG and beginning the brand’s impressive legacy.

These days owned by Chinese state-owned automaker SAIC Motor Corporation, modern MGs are vastly different propositions to the spritely twodoor, two-seat sports cars upon which the brand built its reputation.

But while the electric motors and lithium-ion battery packs of contemporary models like the MG ZS EV are a far cry from the rorty, twin-carburettor 1.8-litre four-cylinder engines that powered the iconic MGB Roadster, the passion for the MG brand connects old and new.

MG ZS electric SUV.

MG gatherings today are a fusion of the very latest Chinese-made battery electric and combustion models with their historic British-manufactured forebears.

Hence why visitors to MotorFest 2023 can expect to see dozens of gleaming examples of classic MGs like the MG C Type Midget (1931-32), the MG TD Midget (1949-53) and MGA 1600 (1955-62), alongside current models including the MG3 and all-electric MG ZS EV.

Naturally, there will also be multiple examples of what for many people remains the archetypal sports car, the classic MGB Roadster.

With more than 500,000 MGBs built between 1962 and 1980 there are still many examples of these instantly recognisable roadsters out on the road; usually with the soft top folded back and their owners enjoying the charm of a small, fast and fun-to-drive machine.

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Brisbane’s Malcolm Spiden uses his 1973 MG Roadster on a near-daily basis, citing the car’s relative affordability, its open top and ease of mechanical repairs as being among its many attractions.

As honorary secretary of the MG Car Club of Queensland, Malcolm is one of the key people charged with rounding up as many of the club’s 550-plus members and getting them to fly the brand’s colours at this year’s MotorFest.

Asked how owners of classic Britishbuilt MGs viewed the new generation of Chinese-made vehicles, Malcolm said he simply saw it as an opportunity to attract new club members.

“I think we see it as the future for members,” Malcolm said.

“We want to try to attract as many members as we can. People are starting to buy the modern MGs and their market share is increasing.

“The MG3 is very good value and talking to a couple of specialist MG repairers, they say that the build seems to be very good.”

This year’s MotorFest will also include a larger Future Zone with new mobility and technology displays and an expanded focus on sustainable living solutions.

A classic MGB Roadster.

There will be cars to suit all tastes, as well, from the latest in electric vehicles to specialty displays from prestige Queensland automobile clubs including BMW Queensland, Morris Minor Car Club of Queensland, Commodore Owners Club and Veteran Car Club Aust (Qld).

The Kids Zone returns with free rides, face painting and craft activities along with food trucks, coffee and roving entertainment.

There will also be a selection of trade stalls featuring product giveaways and great offers on different goods and services, while RACQ Gold 50 members will have their own VIP area.

“This year MotorFest will again be staged at Brisbane Showgrounds which offers a large and fit-for-purpose space in a central location that’s perfect for our classic cars and other exhibitors,” RACQ spokesperson Tamara Van Der Walt said.

“Importantly, it gives our thousands of visitors a safe and well-organised area where they can wander at leisure while enjoying the exhibits, rides, food and displays that are an integral part of MotorFest.”

MotorFest judge John Ewing said few other events encouraged classic car exhibitors out in force like MotorFest.

“This year we’re hoping for an even stronger line-up of amazing vehicles at the event and, of course, many more entered into the online judging component,” John said.

“Our newly revised categories include American, Asian, Australian, British, Hot Rod, Electric, European, Motorcycle/Scooter, Veteran and Vintage categories.”

Event info

• WHAT: RACQ MotorFest 2023
• WHERE: Brisbane Showgrounds, 600 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills
• WHEN: Sunday 18 June
• HOURS: 10am–3pm
• ENTRY COST: $2 per person, contributed to the RACQ Foundation.

For more information and display vehicle registration visit racq.com/motorfest. Registrations close on 12 May.