Always a true classic.

Byline: By Malcolm Robertshaw

The opportunity for a burst of true nostalgia when road-testing cars is very much at a premium in this hi-tech age but, just occasionally, the chance to turn back the clock does arise.

A recent road test found me in the company of the latest version of the MG TF and, seated facing that leather-clad steering wheel encircling the legendary octagonal MG badge, my mind was swiftly whisked back to those days when the open road really was open.

Not, I might add, back to the Roaring 20s, the decade when MG first showed off its octagon badging on the Super Sports Morris 14/28 in May 1924.

But back to the Swinging 60s and a ride in a friend's MGB, a swish sports job which looked very much ahead of its time on that day in 1964 and which was to grace more than half a million driveways between 1962 and 1980.

This month, MG celebrates 80 years of car production so it was an opportune moment to test drive the TF, the UK's best-selling sports car.

The TF offers three K Series petrol engine options each mated to a five-speed manual gearbox - the 1.6-litre 115bhp, 1.8-litre 135bhp and the range-topping 1.8-litre VVC 160bhp.

A 1.8-litre, 120bhp power source linked to a six-speed Stepspeed clutchless manual via Grand Prix-style steering wheel buttons, which also operates as a full automatic, is also available. The test car was the flagship TF 160 powered by the 1.8-litre VVC engine, which announces its presence in time-honoured sports car fashion with a rich growl emanating from behind you via twin stainless steel exhaust pipes.

This K Series engine delivers everything it says on the box, the 160bhp punching you through the 0-60mph sprint in under seven seconds, en route to a top speed, where legally allowable, of 137mph. It's torquey, too, providing genuine sports car exhilaration and making overtaking moves shorter and, consequently, safer.

Driving enjoyment is standard-fit on this two-seater roadster - the classic mid-engined, rear-wheel drive set-up feels well connected with the hardtop below. It responds via its speed sensitive power steering, well set-up chassis and extremely positive front brakes.

The interior is as sporty as they come. Ensconced in figure-hugging sports seats, you grip the business like tiller surrounded by white-faced dials on the dash and an aluminium-topped gearshift.

The TF fully justifies the title of the World's Most Beautiful Cabriolet which it won last year in Italy.

Facts and figures

Make: MG

Model: TF 1.8 160

Price: pounds 20,345

Mechanical: 160bhp, 1,796cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving rear wheels.

Max Speed: 137mph

0-60mph: 6.9 seconds

Combined mpg: 37.6

Insurance Group: 16

CO2 ems: 179g/km

BiK rating: 21%

Warranty: 3 years/ 60,000 miles; 6 years paint; 6 years anti-rust