When is an MG TF not an MG TF? When it is made of fiberglass by Victor Antique Auto, with an MGB engine, transmission, and suspension. Well, that’s not entirely accurate: only about 6 to 8 Victors were made by the factory; the other roughly 100 were supplied in kit form to energetic DIYers to put together on their own time using whatever motor would fit. Lest you think it odd that anyone would replicate an MG TF, at least five other companies had paved the way, copying all of the post-war T-series cars. Daytona Migi, Classic Roadsters, British Coachwork, and FiberFab specialized in the TD; Octagon Motors made a TC. This example is listed here on eBay with bidding at $15,000. That’s not enough to meet the reserve, but the handful of interested parties could make the last hours of the auction interesting. The seller is parting with his car due to “age and health”. The new owner will retrieve his prize from Portland, Maine.
Victor began life in the 1970s headquartered in New York. It changed its name several times, from Victor Replicars (known for building faux Model As) to Victor Antique Auto, and finally to Great Lakes Motor Cars. The TF “1800” was named for the displacement of its engine, the BMC B-series four-cylinder ubiquitously installed in the MGB. Good for about 95 hp when equipped with two SU carburetors, the five-main 1800 was very effective in the lightweight Victor. A four-speed manual and front disc brakes round out the mechanicals. This car is sparkling under the bonnet. Speaking of the bonnet! a real TF would have a bonnet hinged down the centerline and opening on both sides. This fiberglass version opens alligator-style.
The interior shows off factory-original TF octagonal gauges, a wood-rimmed steering wheel, and tan upholstery. Weather equipment is similar to the TF – a cloth top and side curtains. Nearly all of these items are brand new. The five sixty-spoke chrome wire knock-offs are in near-perfect condition. The seller has installed Aero fold-down windscreens behind the factory windshield.
The rear fuel tank – while in the same position as the TF’s – is fake. The real tank is slung between the frame rails. The finish has dulled over time but other than that nit to pick, this car presents well. Its owner has obviously cherished and cared for it. The all-MG Victor kept company with VW- and V6 Chevy-engined versions; I even read of a Miata-based replica. But if you’re going to have a replica MG, I like the idea that the “1800” is made mostly of real MG parts. Values are difficult to pin down since so few examples crop up for sale. Here’s one that failed to find a new owner at a high bid of $17k; a real TF can cost more than $40k. What would you pay for a replica TF?
A HS friend worked at his dads gas station, always got great deals on older cars and came home with a TF 1500 one day. It’s a stunning car in its own right and this is a fantastic modernized version. That it keeps with the ‘borrowed’ company’s updated mechanical origins is all the better with the svelte styling and made safer with the new placement of the gas tank, along with the disc brakes.
Even if the suspension wasn’t updated on the kit this will be a terrific Sunday driver IMHO.
GLWTA!
That high bidder has to be our old friend Mr. Hill, S Hill to be exact ad with a little careful shopping one can still buy a pretty nice usable TF for $15,000.
OK, here comes a grumpy old British Car Guys onslaught of Opinion and Personal Preference.
I don’t like kit cars. Maybe it comes from the great number of Volkswagen monstrosities from ersatz Ford GT’s to Model A “replicas”, to 356’s, I simply grew to feel that most of them were just some ole guy out in the shop with a long wish list and a short pocketbook. And the “cobra” kits just depress me. Sure the were some cars sold as kits that had true merit, Devin comes to mind, but most kits are nothing more than imposters, designed to fool the uninformed masses, and they already have enough stuff to be fooled over.
I’ve always admired the TF as a beautiful end to the T series, and if I were to ever have the chance, I’d put one in my shop, but I digress,,,
As I say, this is all just opinion, a mid afternoon rant about MG’s from an MG guy.
@Rufus. I totally get your comment as I too am an old MG guy, however sometimes a kit has its own personality (or car-onality?). I can admire a good kit if it is a fun driver. 99 % of the people whose eye it catches probably don’t know the differences anyway from its predecessor. I wouldn’t buy this car even though it looks really good. I would have more fun doing the kit just for the project… Its really looks well done though……………….
I ihave owned two of these cars. During the time I owned them, I did lots of research as to the Victor history. Production numbers provided by one of the owners of the company are 7 or 8 factory built cars and 25 kits
My first car was (is) a kit. Finished in red, it also has a full steel center hinged hood from an original TF.
This car is currently in east Tennessee and will probably be for sale this year.
My second car is a well known Victor that was owned for many years by Rocky Frisco. This is a factory built car, possibly the first one built the grille shell is cast bronze, chrome plated. Most were formed stainless steel. Originally red, it is now light blue.
The fiberglass bodies were made from molds taken from an original TF. Fiberglass was laid over a hardwood frame. Doors and fenders are fully interchangeable with original TF. The chassis consists of a custom frame with MGB front crossmember welded in place all parts needed to finish a kit could have been supplied by an MGB donor. The frame is very robust. As far as kit cars go, these cannot be compare to the VW powered TD cars or the kits that had a GM 4 cylinder engine. The Victor is more of a continuation series. They are a fine car, and a joy to drive.
I was going to bring up Rocky and his Victor. I never met him, but he was very active on one of the MG mailing lists years ago. He knew MGs very well.
It is indeed rare to find a kit car with a standard transmission. That, in itself, makes it interesting. Fake fuel tank notwithstanding.
IMO the wheels look wrong, the roof looks awful, and real MGs have twin SUs.
Yes, “real” MGs have twin SUs, but this is America – and we’ve forsaken the reliable simplicity of the SU carburetor for the finicky and ugly looking Weber conversion! The wheels look fine, apart from the chrome finish which only serves to weaken them through hydrogen embrittlement.
We get it, you hate Webers. Think up something original to say.
Back in the 80s I had the opportunity to work on a couple of these cars and the original that the molds were made from. They are a very nice replica and drive much better than the originals. Being that they are all MG underneath is a nice touch. Sitting side by side with the original, it was hard to tell the difference since they sourced TF gauges and bits.
The V6 version was a real screamer.
The owner of the company became a frequent customer for various projects.