This 1952 MGTD may be on a trailer at the moment, but prior to being loaded up, it was hidden in a California barn for 50 years. The seller doesn’t share much information on how it got there or who knew to drag it out, but it looks to be in decent shape all things considered. These days, you’re more likely to find an MGTD that is a replica built on a VW Beetle chassis, so the genuine article is definitely worth a closer look especially when it has a reasonable asking price like this one does. Find the MG here on craigslist in Sacramento with the seller asking $6,000 or best offer.
Thanks to Barn Finds readers Bluebird and Terry B. for the find. The MG still wears its old-school California black plates, and not the reproduction kind that has been popping up lately on cars far too modern to wear such an iconic plate design. The seller claims the MG is very straight with only surface rust to contend with, an admission that hopefully translates to meaning there’s not much in the way of rot underneath (or anywhere, for that matter.) It’s always good to see what looks like a factory spare wheel still attached, albeit missing its chrome hubcap. I would expect the top and any tonneau covers to be in tatters at this point, regardless of whether it was stored indoors.
The TD utilized the 1.2L four-cylinder taken from the previous generation’s model, the TC. Though not fast by any means, the sensation of speed was likely respectable enough given the cars were light-weight and occupants seemingly rode just a few inches off the ground. Between the multi-generational use of the engine and the healthy production numbers associated with the TD, finding usable spares shouldn’t prove too challenging if the engine is locked up. The seller provides zero insights as to its mechanical integrity, so it really is anyone’s guess if the long-slumbering MG will fire again. Note what looks like original red paint on the firewall.
Of course, a repaint is hardly a concern on a car in this sort of condition. In fact, given the TD has long enjoyed a reputation as a cheap competition car, resprays and other backyard modifications were par for the course when you could still find a TD in the local classifieds. This example looks reasonably complete from the outside, but we can’t get a full picture of how far away it is from road-going use without pictures of the cockpit and a more detailed overview of its drivetrain components. Still, TDs fetch good money in restored or survivor-grade condition, so the ask here seems in line with what’s to be expected for one that’s a project. Would you restore it or preserve the ratty look?
That body still looks pretty good to me – I’d tune it up, put new tires on it and drive it with a big-ass grin.
I am close and may go look at this for only 6K. This TD appears quite complete and restorable – even assuming the worst with that covered interior.
(But please stop mentioning the California plates – too many chats on that and not the damn car!)
MattR
If you go look at it and don’t by it can you let me know what you think of the condition? I have a 1952 TD and could always use another but I’m in Massachusetts so the pictures are all I have to go on. Thanks FrankR
Hi Frank – I may go see it this weekend and will report back. I am in Arizona through tomorrow. I did get them to post pics of the interior… Which looks all there and pretty good except for.passenger seat. I did ask if the motor turns over and he checked for me … It’s seized. He is putting Marvel Mystery oil in it to loosen it up. I still think the price is right.
An old and dear friend of mine has one of these and enjoys it very much. And from what he told me, it looked pretty much like this one when he bought it in
the late ’80s. Every time he stopped by
my place (Taco Bell in Winter Haven) he’d always tell me what he’d done to
get the car back on the road. Then one
day, he brought the car over to show me
the end result of his labor. And there before me was on of the nicest TDs I’d
ever seen. It was dark red with a Cream
interior and man that car looked sharp!
He even invited me to sit in it for a minute but since my store was packed
with customers, I had to take a raincheck. That was nearly 25 years ago now and to my knowledge he still
has it. In fact, I did see him again in 2009 just before I retired from the company. And yes, he had the car that
day too. I’ll never forget the way he looked with that goofy looking cap he
wore sitting in the driver’s seat.
get it running good and drive it ,leave everything else the way it is
I helped sell and service these cars when they were new and NONE of them went 10.000 miles without a major failure of some kind.MG-Morris-Riley and Jaguar plus whatever else Max Hoffman offered was what we sold.One genius insisted on having a S.C.O.T supercharger installed on his new 1953 MGTD and the next day it was hauled in with a broken crankshaft.No warranty work on that one! NEW MGTD cost $2135 or one dollar a pound in silver backed money.Lots of memories coming back now to my enfeebled 84 year old mind,
I have a similar barn find TD and I repaired the mechanicals and brakes to make it safe and reliable (relatively speaking of course). Cosmetically it looks like it was just pulled from the barn.
I get more comments and thumbs up than the perfectly restored TD’s parked next to me at shows!
I would buy this for sure if I lived in Sacramento. I’m on the east coast, so it’s too far away, and shipping is not going to be cheap. This might take $10-15k to restore, doing all work myself, but the result would be worth twice that in the end.
Even in the early 1950’s the MG represented the best in 1920’s technology.
I think by 1983 most all of these little and then affordable cars had gone out of business.Here in this area there were a number of TR3’s and later MG’s and a few Jags but they soon faded away,
With a no reserve on eBay this would be $2.5 – $3.5K.
There was a ,53, very orig., with new parts, running for 11K or offer by me in Norcal. Better T D cars are still around and reasonable.
A 50 year slumber has a litany of parts and labor. Even if you do your own work this needs to be the right price.