The MG Midget series commenced production in the late 1920s with the M-type and rapidly progressed through the alphabet in an erratic fashion, but with physical consistency: all the cars except the Airline coupe were open, all utilized tiny four- or six-cylinder motors, SU carburetors, and had upright radiators, running boards, and folding windscreens. In 1939, MG designed the XPAG motor to cure reliability issues plaguing early Midgets. The venerable XPAG enjoyed fifteen years of success, beginning with its installation in MG’s T-series cars. Americans came to know these sporty cars after WWII when servicemen brought the occasional MG TC back home. MG attempted to capitalize on American interest by equipping the TC with bumpers, twin taillamps, and twin horns in order to sell it here, but the cars remained right-hand drive and stiffly sprung. Export numbers were small. An upgrade was necessary if MG wanted to sell more units in the US. The small frame of the TC was scrapped in favor of a wider frame from the Y-series, the suspension was changed to offer a softer ride, and more options were provided including a heater and a radio. At the same time, the factory avoided using the TC’s 19″ wire wheels for cost reasons, irritating new customers who equated “wire wheel” with “sports car”. Instead, 15″ steel wheels were fitted. Aftermarket wire wheel conversions were very popular. Here on craigslist is a 1952 MG TD, nearly completely restored, with an asking price of just $12,500. This car is located in Beulah, Colorado. Thanks to T.J. for the tip!
The motor in the MG TD is the same 1250 cc in-line four-cylinder motor fitted to the TC. Twin SU carburetors and a four-speed transmission completed the package. Performance was about the same as the TC, with around 54 bhp, but the ride was vastly improved. Sadly, this car is for sale by the son of a man who had worked on this restoration for nearly fifteen years. The resulting project has not yet been on the road and still needs finishing. Also, the title is missing and the car was never registered in the father’s name. There is a bill of sale to the father from the prior owner, but needless to say, a buyer might need to visit DMV a few times. From the photos supplied, it appears that once completed, this car could go to nearly any show in the country with pride.
The brand-new interior is nearly completed. The remaining work includes hooking up the gauges to the new wiring harness (already run through the car) and installing them in the dash. The top, tonneau, and side curtains are white and also need some attention.
The seller indicates that all parts come with the sale, but only an inspection will reveal whether every part that the car needs is with it. The price could be a bargain, though, if you hanker for a TD. A completed car is about $10,000 more expensive than this one and possibly not as nice.
https://nihilistnotes.blogspot.com/search?q=Rigger
Always happy when someone mentions the exquisite Airline.
The son should go to DMV and get a title. The price he gets would then more than double.
More than double? Not anymore. TD’s don’t typically run into the 25’s anymore. Unless they had over $100K spent on restoration…
https://bringatrailer.com/mg/td/?q=mg+td&result=sold&yearFrom=1952&yearTo=1952&timeFrame=year
This is why you never put this much time and money into a project until the car’s title is in your name.
That said, I’d love to buy this car. Bad timing, wrong location, but this is really nice.
I worked the ‘title problem’ on an MG, a few years ago. I didn’t work it hard, but rather ‘putzed’ with it for over a year. Numerous trips to the dmv. I don’t recall any details, except that I was using a local, small-office dmv. They were greeting me by name after a year or so. In the end, I had the feeling that the thickness of the stack of paper, was the criteria for accepting entrance into the title process. Seemed like almost one inch of paper was what was needed, then, one day, the dmv gal says to me, ‘I’m taking all this, and you should have a title in about two-three weeks’. Done.
(I’m slow… Almost two years to get my 32 Ford title. I was in no hurry.)
It looks new. His Dad did a great job on this.
That’s a very decent car, at a more-than-decent price. Some personal decisions that aren’t quite factory – wood dash, chrome spare tire carrier, wrong interior, but all in all, a car to be proud of at a good price. It used to be that a running but rough car would sell for that; no longer.
Medical conditions keep me from bidding on this nice project. Is it an illusion? The rear wheel does not seem to be centered in the rear wheel well described by the shape of the rear fender. Otherwise, from the pix, it looks like work was nicely done.
I took another look the the picture after you commented on the position of the rear wheel and you are correct , it does look a little off center !! Maybe they are all like that ??? I have a 1952 MG/TD kit car and its not off center like that ??? interesting ??
I checked on a couple MG/TD pictures on an MG website that I belong to and the rear wheel looks a lot more centered than the pictures of the one for sale here ??? May be nothing ???? Let the buyer beware !!!!!
Ok , I went to the Craigslist site for this MG and clicked on reply to contact this guy about his car …..Nothing ???? am I missing something here ?? How do you contact someone about a car on Craigslist , he says to call him ….no phone # or email him , no email add. ????Help ???
Om Craigslist, click on the REPLY tab at the upper left, then on either the phone or e-mail, and the information will appear.
Thanks , I tried that and got nothing ???
I clicked on “reply” and got: evan
(619) 823-9650
This is a great buy!
The interior looks like vinyl.