“Unfortunately we are not using it or driving it enough“. That statement in this listing for a 1953 MG TD struck a chord! How often does that happen? I have run into that sentiment several times before with my own wheeled objects. Some individuals are comfortable with ownership regardless of use; others are more of the “use it or lose it” frame of mind. Regardless of which side of the fence you find yourself on, let’s review this MG; on the surface, it looks like a keeper. It is located in Hood River, Oregon and is available, here on craigslist for $10,000. Thanks to Matt H. for this tip!
The MG T-type had a heck of a long run. When started in 1936, it looked pretty much how one would expect a sports car to look in the mid-30s. By its conclusion in 1955, its appearance hadn’t changed too drastically from how it looked at the beginning. Being a TD (1950-1953), our subject car was the second to the last of the T-type iteration with the TF (1953-1955), bringing up the rear. Total TD output was about 30K units.
This TD, according to the seller, has had $10,000 worth of work performed by Keith Ansell of Brush Prairie, WA. I don’t know who he is, some MG guy I guess. I found his LinkedIn profile but there was no reference to automotive service listed. Anyway, this TD looks great! The terracotta finish is probably not real recent but it shows perfectly. There is no indication of rust, rot-through or crash damage. The trim and chrome have a nice luster, while the prominent grille is front and center, damage-free. With the introduction of the TD, the taller wire wheels from the TC were replaced with 15″ steel road wheels.
Some of that $10K investment must have gone to the interior as the matching upholstery, what can be seen of it, looks great! The instrument panel shows no switchgear vacancy and the purposeful gauges are clear and legible. The T-Type MGs are referred to as “Midgets” and the interior accommodations don’t look particularly accomodating for people of size. It would be great to hear from current or prior owners regarding the commodiousness, or lack thereof, nature of the passenger compartment.
Power is provided by a 54 HP, 1.3 liter, in-line four-cylinder engine, connected to a four-speed manual transmission and driving the rear wheels. The seller suggests, “Has always run strong“. I’m not sure about that chrome valve cover as far as originality goes, but the engine appears to be complete and clean.
Based on this TD’s condition, the asking price seems pretty reasonable compared to other examples that I could find for sale on various websites. It’s unfortunate that it has fallen out of use for the current owner, but what falls out for one, falls in for another, right?
Craigslist posting deleted by author.
But $10-$12 seems to be the general number these always go for in any condition.
10k is way low which is probably why he pulled the ad. In this condition it will go well past 20k.
The T type is not a midget. The Midget was a newer version and identical to later year Austin Healey Sprites.
https://mg-td.com/#:~:text=History%20of%20the%20MG%20TD%20-%20MG%20TD,just%20before%20the%20outbreak%20of%20world%20war%20II.
I’ll disagree, read the attached.
JO
I was in college from ‘58 – ‘63. Lots of MGs every where. Never heard TDs & TFs referred to as “midgets”. That term likely did not travel outside Europe.
All of the T series MGs were Midgets.
Way underpriced which is probably why he pulled the ad. Easily a 20k car.
Beautiful.
So much depends on the quality of the paint. If it of good quality, similar to a new car, then perhaps 20K. If it is a just OK repaint, then 13-16K. Repainting these cars requires a lot of disassembly and stripping to bare metal if any of the old lacquer is evident. We paid 30K for a “show” finish on a customers car and you could figure half that for a typical “good” job
I have one! 6’2″ 225? Is a tight squeeze in and requires technique to get out? But once in great fun to spin around with top down. Great under $25k car easy to maintain and all parts available. These and early TR’s are way undervalued in my opinion and should increase in value.
Technically it IS a Midget…
The interior may look OK, but it is vinyl, not original, or even like the original.
The pictures have an out-of-focus halo so it is hard to tell, but there is no way this is a $20k car. $10-12, maybe. In this day and age, a $20k MG is almost perfect – this one is not. Lots wrong, even in those few pictures
Right – I’ve had a TC, TD, and TF – these were T’s, never called Midgets. You ask about roominess – I’m only 6 ft and light build and a TD feels cramped to me, the seat can’t go back and you tend to protrude above the windscreen, the earlier PA and PB were more so. But I’ve talked to taller people who were very happy with them. I guess it’s all in the way you can fold yourself.
I had a 1952 TD. Whilst at speed, a friend opened the passenger door. These open from the front. The door was torn off! Be careful.
Two gripes:
1. I don’t care how many T-types you own, if you don’t call these cars MIdgets, you need to study some history. Back in the 1930s, MG built three sizes of cars: Magnas, Magnettes (diminutive of Magna) and Midgets. The T-series cars were MIDGETs! Either study your MG history or sell your cars. If you’ve never heard of them being called Midgets, at least join NEMGTR and read Thornley! The problem when they brought out the larger MGAs, they no longer had a Midget; a problem that would later be served by rebadging the A-H Sprite.
2. And this one’s for you, Jim ODonnell. Anybody who doesn’t know who Keith Ansell is has NO BUSINESS WRITING ABOUT MGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The least you could do, Jim, is a little research. Keith is a widely-known and universally applauded authority on MGs. What is it with you writers who are too lazy to do just the minimal research. I admit, most of these guys seem to be employed by the “other” online auction firm and they drive me BATty. But your transgression is spectacularly unforgivable because you flaunt your ignorance in front of an informed readership.
When I bought my ’53 TD Midget (just quoting the brochures, folks) back about 13 years ago, $12,500 was entry-level for decent TD drivers. When I saw this one for $10,000, I didn’t walk, I RAN to Craig’s List – only to find it was apparently gone. No surprises there!
Bought well used MG midget in Cedar Rapids Iowa 1967. It took 2 parents and 3 daughters on summer nights for ice cream. Never will forget it. 🙂
Allen – I’ve been working on T-series MG’s on the East coast for almost 50 years, and I have never heard of Keith Ansell, either. A quick search shows that he is mostly involved with MGA’s and later, which have very little in common with T-types.
Thirteen years ago, $12,500 was indeed entry-level TD, but TC and TD prices have plumeted since then. Every week I get offered running, driving TDs for between $6-8k, and an honestly-priced $12k TD will need to be a very nice car. I have an almost-perfect Mark II TD that was a $35,000 car just 5 years ago; I would be lucky to get $23k for it now. There are far more TDs for sale, than buyers right now. And a TC basket case used to be a $12k car – but now they languish for $6k, and I’ve seen them as low as $4,750 on Craigslist, needing restoration.
Hi Tom,
Perhaps I got a little overheated on that last post. Maybe I need a Water Wetter cocktail… ;-). Thanks for your even-tempered reply. Having just 37 years of DIY wrenching on MGs, I will mind my manners and respect my elders! Confession: indeed, my experience is much more in the MGA and MGB communities and perhaps that is where I acquired my awareness of Keith Ansell. He has been a frequent speaker/tech-session host at NAMGAR and NAMGBR conferences where he is very well-known and highly respected.
And of course you’re right: the MGAs and Bs are totally different animals – although equally simple. You may very well be qualified for recognition as an MG expert, but you do not pose as one. You are thus entitled to be unfamiliar with the likes of Keith Ansell. Not so, Jim ODonnell, who is dismissive of his own ignorance, and from a position of some automotive authority, no less. In fact, it’s evident that you did the research he should have done. I was impressed by the mention of Keith’s name in conjuction with the repair and maintenance of this car.
Regarding values, even 12-13 years ago I could afford a TD, but TCs and TFs were completely beyond my pay grade – as were MGAs, for that matter. My TD was a DIY restoration from Florida and it was a very presentable driver. It ran very well with it’s MGA 4.3 CW&P – and 60 mph felt quite pleasant.
Alas, my wife has back and neck problems – she’s not comfortable without head restraints. She was also concerned about ride qualities unknown to most T-series owners. We really could not enjoy the car together very much. Ultimately I sold it. Current holdings include my ’73 B/GT daily driver, a ’69 C/GT, a ’65 pull-handle B, and a ’57 ZB Magnette saloon with 1800 engine, 5-speed Rivergate/Datsun 280Z gearbox and a B 3.9 rear end. Looks, sounds and feels original, but add 30 mph to the cruising speed.
I sure haven’t found the bargain-basement T-series cars of which you speak. Would love to continue this conversation: Allen Bachelder, WaywardMGs (at) comcast dot net, if you feel so inclined.
‘ Enjoyed your post!