The story

MG CAR CLUB of Italy - Registro Italiano MG is a legally constituted association that brings together MG car owners and enthusiasts throughout the country. It has been operating since 1973 under the mandate of the MG Car Club Ltd of England, the English club that coordinates all MG Car Clubs, custodians of the memory of the glorious MG marque. Since 1985, it has managed the registration of Morris Garages models circulating in Italy.
Paolo Bordini, a Roman, a great enthusiast of English cars and in love with England, its lifestyle, and its culture, was the first to envision a club for MG enthusiasts. The idea had been indirectly suggested to him by some friends who, during his long stays in London, would ask him to purchase this or that model, as these cars were almost impossible to find in Italy. Thus, a first group of enthusiasts had formed in Rome, joined by a second group of new MGA owners. When their number reached a certain size, Bordini believed that all the conditions were right for founding an enthusiasts' association. It was 1973. Once the decision was made, everything happened quickly during the historic meeting in a restaurant in Piazza Navona, Rome. That day, the first plans were formulated. Immediately thereafter, the company positions were assigned: Paolo Bordini, President; Fabrizio Castellani, Vice President; Nico Valerio, Secretary; Andrea Ferrucci, Treasurer; Aldo Bontemps and Adriano Amidei, Councilors. The request to become the Italian correspondents of the Abingdon MG Car Club, the premier temple of MG passion, was immediate. When the news arrived that the request had been accepted by the English, there was a great celebration. At the beginning, however, the young Club was above all a carefree group of friends who shared the pride of owning an MG.

“Look how they're looking at us,” Federico Gellini said to Gianfranco Lami, who was driving his unmistakable 1956 Magnette ZA, which had been recovered and restored. Small initiatives characterized those early years. For example, a timed race was organized around Lake Bracciano, and more frequently, club outings were organized. A few brave souls even attempted raids. When the historic “Mille Miglia” passed by, President Bordini and Fabrizio Castellani surprisingly awarded a prize to an even more astonished English crew passing by in an MG K3.

Meanwhile, the Club, expanding its reach, had begun to explore half of Italy and, after each event, welcomed more and more enthusiasts. By the early 1980s, there were already over one hundred members. Their enthusiastic activity even led the MGCCI to a historic meeting with Pope John Paul II and, later, with President Francesco Cossiga, who from then on awarded members a medal commemorating that event. Everything was promptly reported in the Club newsletter, distributed among members and dedicated to the main initiatives.
Meanwhile, the shareholders' meeting had appointed Gianfranco Lami as President: he held the position from 1983 to 1992. That period coincided with a major explosion in interest in car collecting. Prominent collectors purchased unique pieces and other vehicles at astronomical prices, imports from America were massive, and the MG collection grew significantly. The MGCCI benefited greatly, becoming one of the most important associations of classic car enthusiasts in the country.

During his presidency, the Italian MG Registry was established in 1990, with Giorgio Pregeli as its curator. Lami, dynamic in his activities and full of initiatives, organized highly successful gatherings: examples include Vicenza, Imola, Borro, Umbria, and Rome.
A first historic expedition abroad was organized, to Vienna. To better serve its members, the first Regional Centers were established throughout Italy, thus ensuring greater assistance for everyone. A historical archive was established at the headquarters at Viale Otranto 36 in Rome, and, importantly, the first book in Italian about an MG car was written and published: "MGA," written by Franco Zanirato and published by Libreria dell'Automobile.

In 1992, Fulvio Beltrami was elected President, the first time the position was held outside Rome. This signaled that the Club, now grown, had assumed national importance and collectively represented the country's leading MG enthusiasts.
Beltrami, currently a Federal Councillor of the ASI (Italian Automobile Society), one of thirteen elected in Italy and head of Italy's vintage car and motorcycle museums, has made technical and bureaucratic assistance a cornerstone of his program. Along with Ernesto Fantozzi, another enthusiast and scholar of MG history, he is Technical Commissioner for the Italian Historic Car Technical Commission, with specific expertise in MG vehicles and other British automobiles. Among his achievements was the recognition of his esteem by the Rover Italia Group, thanks to the collaboration of numerous friends, including Salvatore Pistola, Roberto Maldacea, Lidia Dainelli, and Marilù Granieri. Since 1996, Rover Italia has collaborated closely with the Club, coinciding with the release of the new MGF, which has rekindled the emotions associated with the brand in the hearts of MG enthusiasts. During his presidency, the commitment of Fabio Filippello, a longtime MG enthusiast who served as Secretary for many years, was also of great importance. Thanks to his efforts, relationships with other foreign clubs were strengthened. In October 1996, the European Assembly of MG Clubs was held in Rome, the first in Italy. The main clubs operating in Europe participated: even before many political milestones, the MGCC had created a sort of European parliament, in which all participants demonstrated mutual respect and friendship. In 1997, the MGCCI was awarded the Best Foreign Club by its English cousins.

This result was mainly due to the almost perfect organization of some events held in Gabicce Mare, called “MG by the Sea”, strongly desired by Filippello, who dedicated all his energies to them.
Another memorable event was the expedition to the Silverstone temple, undertaken in June 1997 by Raffaello Ceretti with Ileana, Claudio Antonini, and Fulvio Beltrami: 1,000 miles there and 1,000 miles back, accompanied by two MGAs and an MGC that showed no sign of protest. Evidently, the home air drawn in by the SU carburetors produced unique and unrepeatable effects.
In 1998, an expedition took place in Interlaken, Switzerland, with a large group of members, all coordinated by Giangiacomo Margoniner. It was a great celebration. Meanwhile, static classic car fairs were springing up and proliferating throughout the country.

The Club was always present at the events in Padua, Genoa and Turin.
A large local group grew up in the Veneto region, led by Nicola Parolin, which brought together numerous important enthusiasts, almost as if it wanted to move the MG hub to the Tri-Veneto region.
To balance the significant Venetian presence, other centers developed with equal importance in Emilia-Romagna, Liguria, Piedmont, and Tuscany. In Central Italy, the regional centers of Lazio and Umbria remained important, both in number and quality.
Then came the great Jubilee celebration: 25 years of history to remember. Fabio Filippello, Gilberto Focardi, and Fulvio Beltrami had to revise their plans several times. The number of participants grew significantly, and eventually the maximum limit of 90 cars was reached. Many friends couldn't make it, while others came to visit us in Siena anyway. It was a great celebration, which our friends from abroad still remember today.

The Venetian members then consolidated the "Winter Meeting," which typically opens the club year and holds much promise. The club headquarters was moved to Via Accademia dei Virtuosi 22 in Rome, and numerous initiatives were launched, such as the development of the website and a new periodical, which has always been edited by Francesco Ricciardi. Today, the publication is published annually and collects the club's activities throughout the year. It is invaluable for preserving its historical memory and is greatly appreciated by members, who, seeing themselves in the photographs and reading the various articles, relive joyful experiences.
In 1999, the social events were repeated, notably notable for the organizers' dedication and commitment. That same year, the partnership with Rover Italia was consolidated, culminating in the Magione rally, during which mutual collaboration agreements were finalized. The great competition for the Silver Cup, a ranking that had been suspended for several years, also resumed, and the new "Fulvio Beltrami" trophy was born, awarded to the Board of Directors who had distinguished themselves most during the year. Also that year, "Safety Fast" magazine uniquely featured an Italian MGA on its cover.

Despite its increased size and the complexity of its extensive activities, the MGCCI has retained its original spirit: bringing together enthusiasts of the prestigious MG brand in an atmosphere of cordiality and friendship.
The Club grew in every way, the number of new MGF owners grew, and that incredible bond was formed that still brings everyone together today with immense joy. The cars were registered in ever-increasing numbers in both the ASI Historic Register and the Italian MG Register, and the culture of the brand took on an even more important role.

Thanks to President Fulvio Beltrami, the Club grew by adopting new principles, fully in line with the ASI. The effort to develop members fully aware of belonging to a national Federation, which by 2001 had reached 25,000 members, was constant and rewarding.
During the assembly held in Cremona, Fabio Filippello was elected as the new President. The nomination received general approval from those present, and the large number of votes received by the candidate demonstrated his desire to reinvigorate the Club.

MG CAR CLUB d'Italia owes much of its growth and organizational capacity, despite the vastness of the country it serves, with members residing from north to south, including the major islands, to the mental flexibility of its current President, Fabio Filippello. Over the course of his 12-year term, he has succeeded, day after day, in implementing the modern and democratic transformation necessary to make the MGCCI an association consistently responsive to the diverse needs of its local communities and the changing times.

The increase in Board members from five to seven and the full involvement of the Directors in charge of the Regional Centers in the direct management of the Club, through delegation and the enhancement of their role, have produced significant results in terms of enthusiasm and personal initiative. The events they propose at the international, national, regional, and interregional levels have become so numerous that they have even created scheduling problems.
The President also deserved credit for consistently attending most of these events, conveying through his presence solidarity and respect for the organizers and a strong sense of closeness to the members.

Filippello, moreover, representing the MG CAR CLUB of Italy abroad, thanks to numerous participations in European rallies and the long-standing relationships within the European MG universe, has led the MGCCI to become a leading club abroad and a point of reference for the English one. "MG by the Sea," a week-long international event organized by Filippello every two years since 1992, has allowed numerous foreign crews to experience the beauty of our territory in a high-level organizational context, earning the Club coveted awards: twice the "Lord Nuffield Trophy" from the English MGCC, for the best European rally of the year; the "Holland Cup" from the Dutch MGCC; and the "Manovella d'oro," an award given by the ASI to the best rallies organized by its member clubs. Another niche international event organized by Filippello is the "Italian Job in an MG," also lasting a week and now in its third edition: "Turin-Gabicce Mare," across the Stelvio Pass; "Coast to Coast," from Rome to Gabicce Mare; and the "Tour of Tuscany."

He was one of the promoters of the European conference that brings the Presidents of the various national MGCCs to meet every two years in a different country.
During his tenure, the Club developed a modern and continually updated website, which over time has proven to be a valuable source of new memberships, reaching 526 in 2005.
A racing team is being organized, with its own logo and regulations, which has already shown its colors at several prestigious Italian events. The "MGF Register Italia" has also been established, intended to bring together owners of the relatively modern MGF and MG TF.
The Club is affiliated with the ASI (Automotoclub Storico Italiano), with which it shares its institutional goals, and actively participates in the management of the Federation through its representatives.
At each end-of-year meeting, it prepares an annual calendar including social gatherings, including international ones, automotive events, and exhibitions throughout Italy.

2007 was a sad year for the Club, marked by the passing of its beloved and historic President Fabio Filippello.

Fabio had always run the club like a son, helping it grow over the years and fighting strenuously for its international success, achieving great success.

After Fabio's loss in 2007, the Presidency passed into the hands of his "dolphin", Massimo Bottoli.

Max, known to his friends, became interested in English cars as a child, convincing his father to buy a Jaguar XJ6 back in 1970. His love for MGs blossomed in his late twenties, when he dedicated himself to restoring his first MG: an Old English White MGA 1600. This was followed by a pre-war MG F2, a Le Mans-liveried MGA Twin Cam, and a left-hand drive RV8. After a long stint as a Partner, he was appointed regional director of the Veneto region, a position he performed admirably for many years.

With the new Presidency, the Club has been renewed, continuing the work of the great man who left us. Among the many goals achieved is the impeccable organization of the MG European Event 2026, a team effort made up of the Regional Directors, Simone Lafleur, Head of Relations with Foreign MG Clubs, Gianni Tesauro, Head of Events, and many members. The event saw the participation of 150 crews from all over the world, competing for four days between the Euganean Hills and the Berici Hills, escorted by the Highway Police. The photograph of the 150 MGs, parked in Prato della Valle, Padua, and divided by year and model, went around the world.

Massimo Bottoli, president of the Club since 2007, with his 1959 MGA Twin Cam in Le Mans livery.

MG European Event 2026