Always wanted to resurrect a barn find MG T-Series? This might just be your car! Featuring what must be at least 20 years of debris from rest (the tires appear to be bias-plies, so it may well be longer than that!) and looking a little down in the dumps, this MG is located in Lima, Ohio and is listed for sale here on eBay, with a buy it now of only $7,800 and lower offers are being considered by the seller.
One of the neat things about old T-Series MGs is the sheer amount of information available. For example, merely by knowing the information on the serial number plate, I was able to go to this site and uncover that the TD was produced on June 22, 1950 and from this site I could determine that it was one of only 2,810 produced in 1950 for export to North America.
One of the nicest things I see about this car in particular is that it appears to be complete, even with a top and side curtains, although for a show car you’d be replacing a lot. On the other hand, to get it up and running might not be so bad! You’ll get more looks at any event I’ve been to if you clean it up and show up as is–if that’s what you want. I’d probably end up repainting the car eventually if it were mine, but I’d enjoy driving it first!
Naturally, the interior is pretty tatty. I would love to see what the “Sports Car Club of America” (SCCA) plaque on the right hand side actually says–update, I asked the seller to post a closeup and they did. The TD was registered with the SCCA as a competition car, meaning it might actually have some minor race history. I should also note that the seller responded incredibly quickly! They also posted some more pictures of the underside that I requested–while there is certainly some repair needed, it’s not as bad as I thought at first. The seller doesn’t tell us anything more about the history of the car, unfortunately.
They do tell us that what looks like the original engine is currently locked up, and that the passenger door hinges are broken (readily available) and the windshield is cracked (flat glass, use the old one as a template). Not too much, and generally these old XPAG engines will free up once they’ve soaked for a while. What do you think? Is a trip to Ohio in your future? I am thinking about it myself, but I suspect the multitude of projects I own already will keep me from going.
It looks like the frame has been lightened. I am currently restoring a 1952 and my frame is solid.
I thought that too! Maybe some racing history!
This is a really cool find but overpriced. It’s a long, expensive way from being a driver and then it would only be worth $10,000. If you search eBay, sold listings, you will find running and driving TDs sold for that sold for similar money. The condition of the wooden body frame is unknown and then there is the engine work, rust issues, and interior work. I really hope someone is able to purchase this for a reasonable price and save it.
Agree with David, it’s overpriced. And it’s not “all original”, the most important reason being the holes drilled in the frame, presumably to lighten the car for racing—-the SCCA plaque on the car says that it was registered as a competition car. And there may be other things done to lighten the car that don’t show in the pictures. The original air cleaner has been replaced by other, small intakes, probably for racing.
The car needs everything, and these are really vintage toys because in my driving experience with TDs they are very slow, noisy and agricultural. Agreed it should be saved, but not at a purchase price of $7500 + many more thousands to R&R it. And then it still won’t be original.
Oh geez I love driving TDs and yes they aren’t very fast, but I don’t ever need to get on the interstate and on the country roads around here they are magical.
Price wise they just don’t bring anything, but I wouldn’t mind getting this one for half the sale price.
Personally I like the TF 1500 better than the TD’s, with its better engine of 63bhp at 5,000 rpm, my brother has one, and he’s owned it for over 50 yrs..
I sold my 53 TD last year for $15000. It was a #3 driver with good paint, new tires, fresh engine. Good luck getting anywhere near it with this one unless you drop about $20k after the purchase. Shop around, there are many running TD’s for under $20k.
Watching “The Crown” on Netflix and Prince Philip is seen tearing around London in a very shiny black TD. What a cool car. My only experience was riding in one in the dead of winter and freezing my posterior. They are really cool cars, but I agree with Rob (above) that the TFs are even cooler. This one is so heavily patina-ed that it will take a whole lot of Benjamins to reveal something you’d want to be seen in. Too pricy, but fun to look at.
My first memory of one of these was when I was about 10, the next door neighbor’s son got one when he graduated from high school. It was my first ride in an open car, and was the beginning of my love affair with convertibles. I have owned about 20 of them, though never an MG. Nice find if the seller gets realistic with the pricing.
An older guy I knew in my neighborhood had a MG TC right hand drive, just a cool looking car, I also thought the TF was a great looking car, got lucky with a 1955 1500 project with new replaced wood where needed, fresh paint, and Moss Motors leather interior kit for less than 1/3 of this, I know I got a deal, needs seat kit, dash & gauges redone and installed.
This TD may be solid, the condition of the wood in the body frame is the key.
I had a ’53. Wonderful car; not fast by any objective measure, but it felt fast! Mine had a 4.3 rear end – very pleasant at 60 mph or so. TDs remain at the bottom of the MG T-series food chain. Both the preceding TCs and the following TFs are beyond modest budgets. But if you want the authentic feel of a T-series car, these cannot be beat. But this one is way overpriced for my blood. I paid $12,000 for my nicely-restored ’53. Clutch was a bit rough, but once accustomed to it, I really enjoyed driving the car. So sorry I had to sell it, but my wife’s worsening arthritis did not tolerate the fears that the ride engendered. ‘ Wish I could have bought it 30 years earlier.
I’ve owned a TD since 1958 they are inexpensive, fun, reliable, and sturdy unless you have no mechanical skills, then they are expensive, high maintence, and flimsy
Mine still has the original SU because I do the simple 2 min. Mantinence required ever other oil change. it has wire wheels that I’ve vintage raced on since 1975
Nothing is as pleasant a a jaunt
I bought the car. got it running no problem. working on body . not much rust. Runs like a sewing machine. probably spent too much but oh well!