NAMGBR has various awards that are made, typically each year. Each award is listed below and you can expand the item to see the list of winners over the years. These are awarded, with the exception of the John Thornley award, at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) which takes place in October each year. The John Thornley award is always made at the Annual Convention, in addition with the Don Hayter, Most Original MG, Brian Woodhams, Pride of Ownership and Spirit of Abingdon car show convention awards.
To know more about each of the awards, you can jump down the page using this link, to read more about each of the awards.
NAMGBR Awards Summary & Recipients
2023 – Andy Hardie, Calgary AB
2022 – The Shoviak Family, Waterville OH
2021 – Peter Cosmides, Moorestown NJ
2020 – No Award / No Convention
2019 – Alan & Laura Magnuson, Centennial, Colorado
2018 – David Mullen, Newburgh, IN
2017 – Jennifer Orum, West Vancouver, BC
2016 – Elvin & Janet Davis, MI & Zelda Davis, CA
2015 – Roger & Shirley Goebbert, Huntley, IL
2014 Richard Liddick, Glen Arm, MD
2013 Jai Deagan, Eaton Rapids, MI
2012 Oscar & Diana Gonzales of Huntly, IL
2011 Bruce & Connie Wyckoff of Zeeland, MI
2010 Richard & Carol Brown, Bloomington, IL
2009 Larry & Barb Henle of MN
2008 John Twist, Ada, MI
2007 Charles and Kim de Bourbon, Delaware Water Gap, PA
2006 Ken Smith, Goleta, CA
2005 Don Peery, Edmond, OK
2004 Rick & Jean Ingram, St. Joseph, IL
2003 The Looft Family of Wilmington, OH
2002 Leonard and Deborah Fortin, Greely, ON
2001 Wayne Kube, Plano, TX
2000 Tony and Lynne Burgess, Westerville, OH
1999 Tom Boscarino, Asheville, NC
1998 Don Bridger, Jonesboro, AR
1997 Kim Tonry, Downers Grove, IL
1996 Jerome Rosenberger, Benton, IL
2019 – Leeann & Ryan Looft – MG Car Club Southwestern Ohio Centre
2018 – John Fraioli – MG Car Club Rocky Mountain Centre
2017 – Dick Lunney, Huntersville, NC
2016 – Ken DeLeeuw, Louisville, KY
2015 – Katheryn & Russell Sherrell, Hillsboro, OR
2014 – John Rogers, Nevada City, CA
2013 – P.J. Lenihan, Winston-Salem, NC
2012 – Zelda Davis, Los Angeles, CA
2011 – Jennifer Orum, Vancouver, BC Canada
2010 – Rick Brown, British Motor Club, Brooksville, Florida
2009 – Laura Magnuson, Centennial, CO
2008 – Ed Sweeney, Philadelphia, PA
Award renamed – John Twist Caroline Robinson Enthusiast of the Year Award
2007 – Robert Gloyd, Centenial, CO
2006 – Mark Whitt, Talbott, TN
2005 – Candice Cole, Talbott, TN
2004 – Alan Riches, Canadian Classics MG Club
2003 – No Award
2002 – Paul Konkle, Imperial Beach, CA, San Diego MG Club
2001 – Tony Burgess, Westerville, OH, Emerald Necklace MG Register
2000 – No Award
1999 – Bill Graham, Bradenton, FL
1998 – Larry Henle, Marshall, MN, Minnesota MG Group
1997 – Mike McCloskey, Okemos, MI
1996 – Reinout Vogt, Prospect Hts, IL, Chicagoland MG Club
1995 – Richard Liddick, Glen Arm, MD, MGs of Baltimore
1994 – Tom Biehl, Blue Bell, PA, Philadelphia MG Club
1993 – Doug Gale, Burnaby, BC
2019 – “Spark & Spanner” – South Alabama British Car Club – Rodney McDonald Editor
2018 – Edmonton Classic Sports Car Club – Howard Jewell, Editor
2017 – British Car Club of Wichita – Lewis Blackwell
2015 – North Carolina MG Car Club, “Quadriga News”
2016 – MG Car Club of Toronto, “The Octagon”
2014 – Texas MG Register – Russell Read
2013 – British Motoring Club of New Orleans – Ron Palmisno Editor
2012 – Long Island Centre MG Car Club – Steve Becker Editor
2011 – Minnesota MG Gazette – Minnesota MG Group, Andy Anderson – Editor, Ruth Anderson – Asst. Editor
2010 – The Octagon – MG Owners Club of Northern California, Jeremy Palgon, Editor
2009 – St Louis Metro Gazette – MG Club of St. Louis, Simon Dix, Editor
2008 – San Diego MG Car Club
2007 – Octagon – MG Car Club Toronto, Canada
2006 – Dip Stick – Tidewater MG Classics, Virginia Beach, VA
2005 – Classical Gas – Canadian Classic MG Club, Vancouver, BC – Wolfgang Rao
2004 – Exhaust Notes – Twin Bay British Car Club, Travers City, MI
2003 – Octagram – Western Michigan Old Speckled Hen MG Car Club
2002 – The Morris Gazette – Arizona MG Club
2001 – The MailGram – Lanco MG Club
2000 – The Desert Octagon – Tucson British Car Register
1999 – Brit Bits – North Alabama British Motoring Society Newsletter
1998 – Meshing Gears – MG Car Club Central New Jersey Centre
1997 – San Diego MG Club Newsletter – San Diego MG Club
1996 – The MG Post – Kansas City MG Car Club
1995 – Texas Chapter News – Texas MG Register
1994 – The Octagon – MG Car Club of Toronto
1993 – MOWOG Murmurs – MG Car Club-Northwest Centre
2019 – Wes Sisson: “The Sisson MGB Restoration”, San Diego MG Club
2018 – Theresa Gaffney: “Driving Lady Eloise”
2017 – Tyler Hicks-Wright: The Traveling Midget, MGCC Rocky Mountain Centre
2016 – Greg Moors: MGB Alternators ’67 – ’80, MG Car Club of Toronto
2015 – Martin Schulze: The adventure of two friends, an MG, and the Road Trip of a Lifetime, Oakland, NJ
2014 – Kim de Bourbon: Seinfeld Drove My Car, Keystone Region MG Club
2013 – Jack Long: Readers Ride, MG’s of Baltimore
2012 – Dave Braun: numerous technical articles, Minnesota MG Group
2019 – Texas MG Register For 40 years of Service to the MG community
2018 – Peachtree MG Registry
2017 – San Diego MG Club, San Diego, CA
2016 – Emerald Necklace MG Register, OH
2015 – MG Car Club of Toronto, Toronto, ON
2014 – SIR Brit British Car Club, Indiana & Illinois Flatland British Car Club, Central Illinois
2013 – Willamette MG Club- Host of MG2013, “For hosting a great convention”
2012 – Paradise MG Club
2011 – MG Car Club Washington, DC Centre, in recognition of their 60th Anniversary and 38 years of sponsoring the Braille Rallye
2010 – MG Car Club Rocky Mountain Centre, for their time and effort hosting MG2009 Breckenridge, CO
2009 – Kansas City MG Car Club for their efforts in the MG Warrior Project
2008 – Blount British Car – Maryville, Tennesee
2007 – MG Owners Club – Northern California, El Cerrito, California
2006 – Peachtree MG Registry, Atlanta GA
2005 – MG Car Club Northwest Centre
2004 – MG Car Club – Central Jersey Centre
2003 – No Award
2002 – No Award
2001 – Minnesota MG Group
2000 – No Award
1999 – British Motoring Club – New Orleans
1998 – Paradise MGs – California
1997 – Victoria MG Club, Victoria, BC
1996 – Western Michigan Old Speckled Hen MG Car Club
1995 – MGs of Baltimore
1994 – Emerald Necklace MG Register
1993 – Chicagoland MGB Club
2023 – Stephen Tayler, Calgary AB
2024 – Crystal Johnson, Belton TX
2023 – Connor Tansey, Calgary AB
2023 – Gene Cooper, Prior Lake MN
2019 – Dick Lunney, Metrolina MG Car Club
2018 – No Award
2017 – Paul Konkle, San Diego MG Club
2016 – John Mangles, Saint Louis, MO
2015 – John Burrows, Mississauga, ON
2014 – Bob Bentzinger, MG Car Club of Saint Louis
2013 – John Mangles, St. Charles, MO
2012 – Adam Lombard, Ancino, CA
2011 – James Phelps, Dayton, NV
2010 – Andrew Taylor, Belleville, Ontario
2009 – Paul Dierschow, Arvada, CO
2008 – Steve & Julie Lundsberg; Norm & Vickie Schuring, Kentwood, MI
2007 – Brian Goldsmith, Treynor, Iowa
2006 – Dennis & Nancy Deloatch, Smyrna, GA
2005 – David Deutsch, NY
2004 – John Mangles, St. Charles, MO
2003 – No Award
2002 – George Carrasquillo, NY
2001 – No Award
2000 – No Award
1999 – Ralph Vrana, Strongsville, OH, Emerald Necklace MG Register
1998 – Dane Lay, Springfield, IL, Prairie Octagon MG Club
1997 – Bryson & Linda Lesley, Chickamauga, GA
1996 – John Simmers, Vicksburg, MS
1995 – Allen & Alice Lee, Martinsville, IL
1994 – Dave Sims, Cross Roads Auto Systems
1993 – Bill Skillington, Klamath Falls, OR
2019 – Alan Vinegar – In appreciation for your Energy, Spirit, Service and Leadership of the North American MGB Register – MGC Registrar 2018-2019
Hagerty Insurance Agency – In appreciation for your Sponsorship and participation in MG 2019 Traverse City, MI
2018 – MGs of Baltimore for MG 2018
Jon Rosenthall – in appreciation of his many years of enthusiasm to the MG marque, NAMGBR, and the MG Car Club of Toronto
John Rogers – in appreciation of his energy, spirit, service, and leadership of NAMGBR as Vice Chairman and MGC Registrar
2017 – Steve Kirby – Efforts for MG 2017
Alan Magnuson – Out Going Chairman Award
Simon Dix – Out Going Treasurer Award
2016 – Jeff Taylor – Outgoing Vice Chairman, plaque
Bruce Wyckoff – Outgoing Secretary, plaque
2015 – John Twist – Honorary Membership – Plaque
Dave Mullen – Outgoing Treasurer, plaque
Robert Guinness – Obtaining our SSL Certificate
Peter Mittler & Stuart MacFarlane – Organizing and Hosting MG2015
2014 – Honorary Membership – Jerome Rosenberger
Simon Dix – Service during MG2014 and the Web Site
2013 Richard Liddick – For his Service as Vice Chair & Chairman to NAMGBR and the MG Community
2013 Ken Smith – Life time Honorary membership for his Service to NAMGBR and the MG Community
2012 Rick Brown – For his Service to NAMGBR and the MG Community
2012 Tom Nadelhoffer & Tom George – In appreciation for your contributions, Time & Efforts MG-2012
2012 Kim deBourbon & Denny Elimon – In appreciation for their service as Vice Chairman & Secretary for NAMGBR
2011 Alan Magnuson – For serving as NAMGBR’s Treasurer 2006 – 2011
2011 Gene deRuelle – In recognition of his help with making MG 2011 an unforgettable event
2010 Peter Mittler – For his time and efforts during MG2010
2010 Stuart (Mac) MacFarlane – For his time and efforts during MG2010
2009 MG Car Club Rocky Mountain Centre – For their efforts hosting MG2009
2009 Midwest MGA Club – For their efforts in the MG Warrior Project
2009 Bruce Wycoff – Outgoing chairman
2008 Philadelphia MG Car Club
2007 Sorry Safari Touring Society, Oakland, California
2006 Sue Deagan – Outgoing Treasurer
2005 David Deutsch – Outgoing Chairman
2004 No Award
2003 No Award
2002 No Award
2001 Ron Tugwell – Outgoing Chairman
2001 Eric Kent – Outgoing Treasurer
2000 No Award
1999 Robin Weatherall – Outgoing Chairman
1998 Jai Deagan – Outgoing Secretary
1997 Marcham Rhoade, Retiring founding MGB Driver Editor
1997 Rick Ingram – Outgoing Chairman
1995 Rock Yarrington – Outgoing Founding Treasurer
1995 Bob Mason – Technical Coordinator
1994 Buffalo Octagon Association – Honorary Fire Fighters Award for MG 1994
1993 Robin Weatherall and the MG Club of St. Louis for MG 1993
1993 John Twist – Outgoing Founding Chairman
Below is a more detailed description of the various NAMGBR Awards.
John Thornley Spirit of MG Award
John Thornley “Spirit of MG” Award is given at the Annual Convention yearly to the person displaying the spirit and enthusiasm of MG.
This award is a framed original oil painting by Dennis Wharf of the first works MGB GT to compete in an international event, LBL 591E was placed in the prototype class of competition at Sebring. The painting was a gift to NAMGBR from the MG Car Club, MGB Register in England, presented by John Watson, of Abingdon, England to the North American MGB Register at MG96 in Indianapolis, IN, it was decided to be given on loan to the current recipient with the understanding that it is their responsibility to have the print at the next year’s annual convention to be presented to the next recipient.
At that time a plaque with a reproduction of the painting is created and given to the last year’s recipient of this honor, with their name and dates on it. This plaque is theirs to keep.
The award recipient is chosen by the NAMGBR executive from the input from coordinators, registrars, and members.
John Twist & Caroline Robinson – Enthusiast of the Year
Enthusiast of the Year Award is given at the Annual General Meeting in October to a person showing the MG spirit.
This award is a plaque, and says the following: “Enthusiast of the Year presented to (name of recipient), month, day and year, and place given)”. The award recipient is chosen by the NAMGBR executive from the input from coordinators, registrars, and members.
The Ken Smith Newsletter of the Year
Newsletter of the Year Award is given at the Annual General Meeting in October to the club who’s newsletter promotes MG enthusiasm throughout the year. It is also judged on content.
This award is a plaque and says the following: “Newsletter of the Year presented to (name of recipient), month, day and year, and place given)”.
The award recipient is chosen by the Editor and NAMGBR executive with the input from coordinators, registrars, and members.
The MG Driver – Best Contributing Author
Given at the Annual General Meeting in October to the member who has provided the most valuable contribution(s) to the content of the MG Driver magazine.
Chapter/Club of the Year
Chapter of the Year Award – Given at the Annual General Meeting in October to an affiliated club based on number of Register members and club activity.
This award is a plaque, and says the following: “Chapter of the Year presented to (name of Club), month, day and year, and place given)”. The award recipient is chosen by the NAMGBR executive from the input from coordinators, registrars, and members.
Don Hayter Award for Most Original MG
This award is for a NAMGBR supported model of MG car that has been kept or restored to its original state, as it left, or could have left, the factory as much as possible. Named after the last chief engineer of the MG Car Company, Don was instrumental in the design of our beloved MGB.
Brian Woodhams Pride of Ownership Award
This award is for a car that is clearly loved. It may be highly modified, driven great distances, or showing a lot of wear, but there is no doubt there is a strong sense of pride for the owner. Named after a massive MG enthusiast, Brian Woodhams who was very involved with the the MG Car Club in many capacities over the years, but most recently as the MG Car Club’s overseas manager for North America (amongst others). Brian had a collection of 4 MGs, including a most beloved MGB GT and his enthusiasm could only be described as “Pride of Ownership”.
Spirit of Abingdon Award
This award is for the MG and owner that demonstrates the Spirit of Abingdon at its best. Abingdon, in the United Kingdom, is generally recognized as the spiritual home of the MG Car Company and is indeed the home of the MG Car Club located at Kimber House, just outside the original factory gates. The Spirit of Abingdon is from the workers, and enthusiasts worldwide and is perhaps why MG is known as “The Marque of Friendship”.
Good Samaritan
The Good Samaritan Award is given at the Annual General Meeting in October to the person who best exemplifies the MG spirit by lending a hand without regard to reward.
This award is a plaque, and the plaque says the following: “Good Samaritan of the Year presented to (name of recipient), month, day and year, and place given”, and a one year membership to North American MGB Register.
The award recipient is chosen by the NAMGBR executive from the input from coordinators, registrars, and members.
Special Recogniton
Special Recognition Awards are given at the Annual General Meeting in October at the discretion of the NAMGBR executive.