SYLVIA VETTA enjoys Abingdon Museum's celebration of the MG's one-time success in motor racing design, MG at Speed

The MG factory in Abingdon closed in 1980 but the cars it produced have lost none of their glamour. Its racing and sports cars still appeal to boys from five to 90.

The MG Car Club has an enthusiastic membership worldwide, but I suspect the majority of the girls were drawn into it by the boys. What is it about speed which attracts men like bees to a honey pot?

Having visited Abingdon County Hall Museum while their latest exhibition, MG at Speed, was being set up, I gained a little insight.

I love good design from any age and the wooden prototype models on display are certainly aerodynamically elegant, especially the streamlined green model of the EX181. The photographs on display feature drivers and mechanics filled with pride.

When Lauren Gilmour was appointed museum curator, one of her first questions to her colleagues was: What exhibition does the public want? The unanimous reply was: An MG exhibition.

MG at Speed is not the first in Abingdon but they hope it will be the best. Brian Moylan, who has written a book on MG's Abingdon factory, is one of the leading lights of the Abingdon Works Centre of the MG Car Club. I asked how his involvement began.

Brian said: "I joined MG in 1950. When the racing department opened in 1955, I became a mechanic involved in the production and preparation of racing and rally cars for international competitions. It was a dream job for a young man. When the factory closed in 1980, it was a desperately sad day for those of us who had worked there.

"We spoke to the MG Car Club and they helped us set up the Abingdon Works Centre.'' MG at Speed highlights the success of the MG at all levels of motor sport, from muddy hills to Le Mans. It also takes you on a journey, from the Morris Garage in Longwall Street, run by general manager Cecil Kimber in 1913, to the Abingdon factory in 1935 until its closure.

Exhibits have come from the motor museums at Beaulieu, Gaydon and Brooklands. There are several backdrops of racing scenes.

For me, the star of the show is a huge picture, approximately 4m by 3m, of Paddy Hopkirk winning the Monte Carlo rally in a Mini Cooper S in 1964. It was made for an exhibition in the US and presented to him when it closed. Paddy has lent it for this show.

The Mini Cooper S was not the only competition-winning car. The EX181 broke the world record as the fastest car for its engine size - 1,506cc twin cam - in 1956 on the salt flats of Utah. At 254mph that record still stands today. It was almost the same as Sir Malcolm Campbell's Bluebird land-speed record.

I also met slot-car model enthusiast Paul Bizzel, who became involved when he bought a house near the old factory.

"I visited Brian to learn more about it and consequently joined the club, which is open to anyone interested in MG cars," said Paul.

He has lent his collection of working Scalextric-type models of MGs and sought others on loan. The most valuable will be in a static display, but the more robust cars will be available for children, young and old, to play with.

There has been a small room at the top of the museum devoted to the MG all year round. It is closed for the duration of this show, which is in the stunning first-floor Sessions Hall of the 17th-century, Wren-style building.

I should point out that the museum is frustrated by the lack of wheelchair access and getting to see this show will be hard for people with mobility problems. It is even harder for visitors to the permanent exhibition up 90 stairs!

Lauren hopes the situation will improve if the latest plans to install a lift are approved.

Despite this it has been busy every weekend of the year. The visitor book indicates that fans of MG cars are not confined to the Abingdon area, but visit the birthplace of the car-maker from all over the world. The museum is trying to raise money to set up a larger MG room on the second floor of the museum by next year.

If you want to see the full-scale cars in action, visit Silverstone this weekend. Details are available on www.mgcc.co.uk The exhibition is on display until August 31. Abingdon County Hall Museum is open daily from 10.30am-4pm. Admission is free. For inquiries call 01235 523703.