Up for sale with no reserve on eBay in Lutz, Florida is a non-running 1952 MG TD project in arrest-me red. It looks pretty good from a distance, but then the flaws show up.
This old beauty is in as-found condition. It was part of a large car collection, and when there are too many cars some of them can get neglected—but at least they’re inside! This MG, a classic model that recalls the 1930s more than the 1950s, has a lot of challenges. The motor hasn’t run in ages, though it spins by hand. Can we take comfort from the fact that it rolls and steers when pushed?
The key is missing. The front passenger tire leaks air. The doors don’t stay closed, suggesting either warped doors or a less-than-straight frame. The hood is just sitting on top of the car. The owner doesn’t have any extra parts, which presumably means the side curtains and hubcaps are MIA.
A big caveat from the owner: “Parts may be missing, need cleaned, fixed, restored, fully built, and or replaced, and there are, nicks, blemishes, rust, old wood, pits, bubbles, scratches, dents, stains, etc.”
On the positive side, the numbers match. And although the car has badly chipped paint it doesn’t appear rusty. The interior has been reupholstered, although only an in-person inspection would reveal the quality of the job. The rudimentary top appears relatively recent, too, and all the instruments are in the dash. Most of the parts are in fact there, and if you got the TD running you could definitely bomb around in this U.S.-spec model as-is (provided you could close the doors, of course). Sunny days only, please. Some 33,000 miles are indicated.
The MG TD, produced between 1949 and 1953, was aimed at American buyers, though it’s as English as fish and chips. This was the years of export or die for the recovering British auto industry. The similar but more primitive TC had found some American purchasers, but not enough for the brain trust at the Nuffield Organization. Americans wanted a radio, a heater and left-hand drive, the nerve of them! The wheels were reduced from 19 inches to 15 on the TD and the rear suspension was modified to deliver a better ride than the TC. The brakes were upgraded, too. The TD is also five inches wider than the TC, with a larger frame. Solid steel wheels were used.
The 1,250-cc four-cylinder XPAG engine was carried over from the TC. In 1950, the Mark II TD was introduced, with slightly bigger SU carbs, a higher compression ratio, and bigger valves with stiffer valve springs, resulting in a jump from 54.4 to 57 horsepower (up five percent). The top speed was increased with a higher rear-axle ratio. Even with the improvements these things still took over 20 seconds to get to 60 mph. It wasn’t much of a highway car, obviously.
A total of 30,000 TDs were built, with 1,700 of them being Mark IIs. An amazing 23,488 came to the U.S., and only 1,656 stayed in Britain. Believe it or not, the biggest American complaint was the 12-volt electrical system—most American cars had six volts at the time.
This appears to be a worthy project for someone, with the prospect of a rolling restoration. Bidding was under $2,000 on January 3, but there’s plenty of time left in the auction.
Agree on the “could be” but repainting this car with all that clear coat on it is going to be a real bear. Lot of time, lot of money ahead.
Buy it cheap, get it running, enjoy. Not all cars need to be restored, I have been buying ratty cars and getting them starting, going and stopping reliably and maybe replacing a few missing or broken trim pieces or dodgy electrics and calling it good. Much more fun than tearing them apart and cleaning and repainting all the big bits and the small ones.
I am with you. I have a 1500 Midget driver. As soon as the salt is off the road I drive it and fix as I go.
Every year it is a bit better even though the paint may be a little more faded.
How is the wood? That is why the doors want stay closed on the tub but the wood under the car by the frame is a real head acke. I bought a 51 TD cheap and put $29,000 in to it before body work. It was running and was drivable but it was a barn find that I sometime wish I hadn’t found.
would love to have it?had mgs and midgets and tr6;always wanted one of these?great price?have too many projects?
Big issue is paint. Body will have to be stripped down to bare metal and disassembled to do a proper paint job that will last. Budget $15,000.
i do my own paint?very cheap to do ?jim
It’s still under $3k with four days to go. If old MGs are your thing, can’t see how you could go wrong on this one…. as long as it’s under $5k . Someone will have a lot of fun with this car getting it up and running.
Biggest concern may be the door situation. Not closing or not staying closed? Latch adjusting or replacing vs. a bent frame… If I were interested, some clarity would help make a decision.
i agree;after owning many brit cars;it is no doubt out of adjustment??