Production work started at Longbridge today, signalling the return of the UK’s favourite sports car.

After a string of delays and hiccups, the Chinese owners of MG UK said work was now under way producing the first of a string of new models.

A Limited Edition of 500 specially designed MG TF roadsters will be the first cars off the production line at the reborn factory. Priced at £16,399, the cars come with special paintwork, leather interiors, hard-top roofs and top-of-the-range stereo systems.

Production of the standard MG TF is expected to start by the end of the year.

Around 180 workers are now employed on a small corner of the 400 acre Longbridge site, which employed 6,000 people up until the collapse of MG Rover in April 2005.

Bought by Chinese company Nanjing Automotive (NAC) in a £53 million deal, the project to restart production of the MG TF has been hit by a string of delays but today the company, now known as MG UK, was celebrating its major milestone.

Although some parts are being shipped in from China, many of the components are being made in Europe and in the UK, including the gearbox.

Gary Hagan, director of marketing for NAC MG UK, said today: “The launch of this car also marks the re-introduction of the MG brand to the UK.” Some 370 of the first 500 cars have already been sold through 55 dealerships nationwide.