THE iconic MG sports car brand is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2004 with specially produced limited edition cars.

Derived from the UK’s best-selling sports car, the TF 80th Anniversary LE has a unique specification and limited production, of which only 500 will be made available for the UK market.

The limited edition MG was unveiled at the Retail Trust’s Hollywood Ball at the Grosvenor House, Park Lane. The charity auction conducted by fashion designer Jeff Banks saw the bid reach £275,000.

Three 80th Anniversary TF LEs are available with colour co-ordinated hood and trim combinations and features that include unique identity detailing, with a choice of 135, 120 Stepspeed (CVT transmission) or 160 power units.

Rover Group sales operations director, Rod Ramsay, said: “It is appropriate that we celebrate 80 years of MG production with a special TF 80th Anniversary LE - the product most closely representing the icon that is the archetypal MG sports car.”