Customers of MG: From Peking to Paris in a MG
THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME
For 36 days over 14 thousand kilometres, Rhys Timms cajoled his MG across dirt paths, rivers and mountains in the ‘Peking to Paris’. The MG Victoria Club Director and Treasurer owns a ZS EV, and has just bought a XPOWER but the Asia and Europe trip was carried out in his 1936 MG Saloon.
After 25 years with the Victorian club, Rhys said he has no plans of slowing down and is excited to see how the club continues to grow and change as we head into a new era of electric MG vehicles.
Growing up in rural NSW, Rhys moved to the city for career opportunities as a Chartered’s Accountant, but no matter where he moved, he said he has always loved being able to return to the country and get his hands dirty.
“The farm life, working with my hands, working on older cars, I just like messing around with old things," he said.
THE COLLECTION
Rhys is the proud owner of an extensive MG collection that brings together both the past and the future of automotive technology.
In his collection is a 1936 MG SA Saloon, 1938 MG SA Saloon (unrestored), 1951 MG TD Roadster, 1958 MG ZB Saloon (On a rotisserie) and a 2022 MG ZS EV.
Rhys also has plans to also be one of the first order takers of the MG Cyberster earmarked for Aussie shores in 2024.
“I’ve been in the MG Car Club in Victoria for 25 years. We believe that we are the biggest MG club in the Southern Hemisphere.”
JOURNEY TO EV
While Rhys is a fan of the historic MG models, he said the past several years has him very excited about the future of MG and EV's.
“I absolutely love it, I’ve come from sitting on the fence about it, to now having it as my daily driver” – Rhys said of his MG ZS EV.
“People are still very new to EV’s (Electric Vehicles), it’s still finding its way out from being a niche thing.”
“We’ve had it (MG ZS EV) for three years now, we’ve done two long interstate trips, and never had any issues with battery or finding a charger.”
The great impression the car has left on Rhys had him immediately interested when MG released the MG4, and now with the release of the powerful XPower model right around the corner, the car enthusiast knew it was a must have for his collection.
“I’m very excited about the XPower, especially to give it a run on the track, I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
“It’s exciting, EV’s are an evolution in technology and motoring.”
TRAVELLING THE WORLD WITH MG
Rhys and his MG’s have travelled the world, and been on many different adventures, none greater than the Peking to Paris motor race, twice.
The Peking to Paris was originally held in 1907 and is a race between Beijing and Paris which covers a distance of almost a tad less than 15 thousand kilometres, making it one of the world’s hardest endurance races that people can be a part of.
To emulate the challenge of motorists before him, Rhys undertook the journey in his 1936 MG SA Saloon.
“The greatest adventure I’ve been on with MG would have to be the Peking to Paris.”
“We put a roll cage in the car, long-range tanks, new suspension and re-built the motor ahead of the trip.”
Rhys called it the trip of a lifetime and an absolute blur at the same time.
“The rally was a blur. 16 countries in 2010, 10 countries in 2013, and two continents in one month.”
With the trip providing many a challenge along the way, Rhys got to see firsthand the international connectivity of the MG family.
Throughout his trip he visited clubs and dealerships from China Ukraine, Iran, Italy, France and many more.
“My favourite memory is the friendships made along the way.”
“The fleeting interactions with people at races, on the roadside, at petrol stations, at end of day displays, mechanics, and of course MG enthusiasts and MG car clubs all across the globe.”
“We were always welcomed, fed – often payment was refused, and these people were just like you or me.”
“The trip was just how I had hoped it would be. It’s the most extreme form of endurance racing and I was able to continue to build on our club’s global MG connections.”
THE EXCITING FUTURE
With the automotive industry continuing to embrace electric technology, Rhys said he’s excited to see how it will find its way into the broader car club mainstream.
“We (MG Car Club Victoria) are working on an all-electric motor vehicle competition.”
“Whether you’re into race, rally, concours, pub runs, early morning runs, touring or weekends away – the EV’s are well on their way to doing all of this.”
With the release of the MG Cyberster for the company’s centenary year, Rhys said he’s excited to see the brand channelling their roots while continuing to embrace new technology.
“After years of hoping, I’m really excited to see the brand paying homage to its roots with the Cyberster.”
“Every MG enthusiast has been waiting for a sportscar.”
“It’s something exciting that is also more affordable than others in the sportscar market. These cars are thrilling, and I think the passion comes into it when you have a car that has this type of image.
“The brand is channelling its fun side and MG has always been about fun motoring at reasonable price and this is just that.”
For 36 days over 14 thousand kilometres, Rhys Timms cajoled his MG across dirt paths, rivers and mountains in the ‘Peking to Paris’. The MG Victoria Club Director and Treasurer owns a ZS EV, and has just bought a XPOWER but the Asia and Europe trip was carried out in his 1936 MG Saloon.
After 25 years with the Victorian club, Rhys said he has no plans of slowing down and is excited to see how the club continues to grow and change as we head into a new era of electric MG vehicles.
Growing up in rural NSW, Rhys moved to the city for career opportunities as a Chartered’s Accountant, but no matter where he moved, he said he has always loved being able to return to the country and get his hands dirty.
“The farm life, working with my hands, working on older cars, I just like messing around with old things," he said.
THE COLLECTION
Rhys is the proud owner of an extensive MG collection that brings together both the past and the future of automotive technology.
In his collection is a 1936 MG SA Saloon, 1938 MG SA Saloon (unrestored), 1951 MG TD Roadster, 1958 MG ZB Saloon (On a rotisserie) and a 2022 MG ZS EV.
Rhys also has plans to also be one of the first order takers of the MG Cyberster earmarked for Aussie shores in 2024.
“I’ve been in the MG Car Club in Victoria for 25 years. We believe that we are the biggest MG club in the Southern Hemisphere.”
JOURNEY TO EV
While Rhys is a fan of the historic MG models, he said the past several years has him very excited about the future of MG and EV's.
“I absolutely love it, I’ve come from sitting on the fence about it, to now having it as my daily driver” – Rhys said of his MG ZS EV.
“People are still very new to EV’s (Electric Vehicles), it’s still finding its way out from being a niche thing.”
“We’ve had it (MG ZS EV) for three years now, we’ve done two long interstate trips, and never had any issues with battery or finding a charger.”
The great impression the car has left on Rhys had him immediately interested when MG released the MG4, and now with the release of the powerful XPower model right around the corner, the car enthusiast knew it was a must have for his collection.
“I’m very excited about the XPower, especially to give it a run on the track, I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
“It’s exciting, EV’s are an evolution in technology and motoring.”
TRAVELLING THE WORLD WITH MG
Rhys and his MG’s have travelled the world, and been on many different adventures, none greater than the Peking to Paris motor race, twice.
The Peking to Paris was originally held in 1907 and is a race between Beijing and Paris which covers a distance of almost a tad less than 15 thousand kilometres, making it one of the world’s hardest endurance races that people can be a part of.
To emulate the challenge of motorists before him, Rhys undertook the journey in his 1936 MG SA Saloon.
“The greatest adventure I’ve been on with MG would have to be the Peking to Paris.”
“We put a roll cage in the car, long-range tanks, new suspension and re-built the motor ahead of the trip.”
Rhys called it the trip of a lifetime and an absolute blur at the same time.
“The rally was a blur. 16 countries in 2010, 10 countries in 2013, and two continents in one month.”
With the trip providing many a challenge along the way, Rhys got to see firsthand the international connectivity of the MG family.
Throughout his trip he visited clubs and dealerships from China Ukraine, Iran, Italy, France and many more.
“My favourite memory is the friendships made along the way.”
“The fleeting interactions with people at races, on the roadside, at petrol stations, at end of day displays, mechanics, and of course MG enthusiasts and MG car clubs all across the globe.”
“We were always welcomed, fed – often payment was refused, and these people were just like you or me.”
“The trip was just how I had hoped it would be. It’s the most extreme form of endurance racing and I was able to continue to build on our club’s global MG connections.”
THE EXCITING FUTURE
With the automotive industry continuing to embrace electric technology, Rhys said he’s excited to see how it will find its way into the broader car club mainstream.
“We (MG Car Club Victoria) are working on an all-electric motor vehicle competition.”
“Whether you’re into race, rally, concours, pub runs, early morning runs, touring or weekends away – the EV’s are well on their way to doing all of this.”
With the release of the MG Cyberster for the company’s centenary year, Rhys said he’s excited to see the brand channelling their roots while continuing to embrace new technology.
“After years of hoping, I’m really excited to see the brand paying homage to its roots with the Cyberster.”
“Every MG enthusiast has been waiting for a sportscar.”
“It’s something exciting that is also more affordable than others in the sportscar market. These cars are thrilling, and I think the passion comes into it when you have a car that has this type of image.
“The brand is channelling its fun side and MG has always been about fun motoring at reasonable price and this is just that.”
