MG PR3 Proto - AllCarIndex

The MG PR3 was the concept that would eventually evolve into the much-loved MGF—but its story is one of creativity, passion, and transformation. Designed at a time when Rover was exploring what MG could be in the modern era, the PR3 was the company’s first serious attempt to reimagine the British roadster for a new generation.

At the heart of the PR3 project was Steve Harper, a designer with deep ties to Austin Rover and an impressive CV—from the Austin Montego estate to the Ford Escort RS Cosworth. When Harper was brought into Rover Special Projects in the early 1990s, the PR3 had already begun as a technical exercise—placing a Metro subframe behind the driver to create a mid-engined layout. However, the car’s early design was flat and uninspired. Harper’s task was to inject it with identity, elegance, and excitement.

Designing a New-Age MG

Harper brought a fresh, emotional design philosophy to the project. Inspired by childhood icons like the Ferrari 250LM and modern shapes like the Ferrari 348, he sought to give the PR3 presence and character. A high waistline, low window line, and a front end that hinted at both MG tradition and Italian flair began to take shape. He even experimented with bringing the MG grille below the bumper, giving the roadster a unique and approachable "face."

By early 1991, the PR3’s clay model was ready for internal reviews. Only the windscreen remained from the original design—the rest had been transformed into a sleek, modern interpretation of a British sports car. During development, Harper’s team incorporated elements from the MG RV8, including its grille and front lamps, to reinforce brand identity.

A Vision Eclipsed, But Not Lost

As Rover juggled multiple high-profile projects (including space for the McLaren F1 model build), the PR3 was moved to a larger studio at MGA Developments. While this allowed Harper to work across projects, it also meant the MG’s design was somewhat out of sight. When Harper left for a holiday, the PR3 was quietly handed back to Rover’s internal team, where Gerry McGovern and others made a number of refinements.

Though the final production MGF, launched in 1995, carried many differences—most notably in ride height and some styling details—the essence of Harper’s PR3 concept remained. It marked a dramatic shift for MG: a mid-engined, water-cooled, modern sports car designed to meet the expectations of the 1990s while carrying forward MG’s rich heritage.