The MG automotive brand dates back nearly 100 years and the TC was its first output after World War II. Powered by a 1,250-cc engine, the little 2-seat roadster debuted in 1945 and was in production until 1949, selling 10,000 copies in the process. Built in England, most of the cars were exported to other markets, including the U.S. This edition from 1947 looks mostly complete and runs, but it needs at least brakes to be a driver again. Located in Milford, New Jersey, this one-owner (!) classic is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $8,000 OBO. A neat tip brought our way by Mitchell G.!
Production of automobiles after the War ramped up slowly due to a shortage of materials. And the TC was no exception. It was an evolution of the TA (1936) and the TB (1939) and saw just 81 copies in 1945. But that changed quickly, and the little cars soon became popular exports even though all of them were built with right-hand drive. It’s estimated that a third of the TCs made it to the U.S., while South Africa and Australia also had demand for the interesting roadsters (we assume “rds” in the seller’s ad is an abbreviation for that term).
For a car that’s been in the same family since it was new, little information is shared by the seller. It appears to have been cast aside in the corner of a garage but with the motor kept in running order. The only mechanical shortfall mentioned is the brakes and cosmetically it will need paint, but that doesn’t appear to be an urgent issue. These little machines are said to be capable of 75 mph with their 54-hp motors and 4-speed manual transmissions (the seller says automatic at one point, but that’s likely an error).
This MG is said to have only 24,500 miles, which could explain why its running condition may not require a total rebuild. These were cool little autos, wider and faster than either of their predecessors, the TA or TB. They came with wire wheels, a fold-down windshield, and a spare tire mounted out back. If you dig these post-war English sports cars, could there be room in your man cave for this one?
Friend of mine many years ago owned one. Spent the day riding the streets of Cleveland in what was called the Cleveland Alley Rally, great day and the MG ran all day and didn’t miss a beat. These cars the cowl moves as you travel down the rougher roadways. This one looks very good and definitely hasn’t seen a lot of use. Too bad it’s not a bit closer, really simple automobile so making need repairs should be fairly straightforward.
This looks like the deal of the week, although I would throw new tires on the list as well. That right front tire looks oddly more worn than the left front tire.
I too ran the Alley Rally several times in my bright red with tan interior TC. Great car. Has been with me since 1968. They are simple to maintain and fun to drive. Also great Club support and parts are easy to find. Cheers.
Yes, it is a one owner car . . . . and the listing says it has an automatic transmission . . .Nah . . .
The item description states 4 speed, I suspect it is just a click mistake stating automatic.
A very common mistake on Facebook marketplace for people selling manual transmission cars. The software could be much better to stop those errors.
I grew up in the 60s surrounded by sports car people. My grandfather had a white one in perfect condition. I remember him taking the leaf springs apart to paint them! Not during a restoration, just a small project. When dad sold his TD for an AH 100-6 gramps got a red 100-4. Great memories of boring rallies but awesome cars. MGs seem cheap now for some reason.
I’ve always liked the MG, and as a kid, I had assembled plastic models for 1953, 54, 55, 56, and 57. I lined them up on a board just above my bed… LOL
The TC is the iconic sports car, if you ask me. Owned one for a very short time due to some non-car related issues. Old fella I know locally has restored dozens of them, at one point I counted 17 in his shop (all his own!). As said earlier, deal of the week and won’t last long at this price
cheers,
bt
You can get a refurbished ‘Supercharger’ for these motors. On the market 2nd hand for under $1500. Sat in the passenger seat of a client’s beautifully restored MG TC, getting a lift back from photographing for him. So low to the ground, you could touch the pavement! A smile a minute ride that was…
I saw a supercharged one pulling out of the pits at Lime Rock, I have footage of him driving past us to get out on the track. 10 minutes later he was dead. It rolled at high speed in the diving turn before the Sam Posey straight, thank God we didn’t see it, we were on the other side of the track. His wife had guided him backing out of the pits, I think of how she felt every time I visit the track. It was just supposed to be just a Historical demonstration. Needless to say racing was over for the day. Still, none of that would deter me from driving this car on the street. And facebook marketplace can be a difficult venue to sell a car because they don’t include old car models and options, so I think the automatic transmission spec is wrong because FB auto fills it.
I would love to own one of these but distance and cost puts it out of my reach, at least till I pay off the one I am driving.
Neighbor had a BRG one. Oh, what a fine motorcar!
Man I really want this……but someone PLEASE tell me my 6’5′ 275 lb frame size 15 shoes won’t fit.
Don’t worry I’m quite certain you won’t fit in this little car. LoL
Thanks….I feel better now. No sense fantasizing about sitting in that Messerschmitt either. lol Of course with the top down. lololol
Yeah, no, even when I was a skinny 5’7″ 20 year old, I barely fit in an MG-TD. The TC may be an even tighter fit with what I think is a larger steering wheel? Not sure, but I think my fat current self would not have a good time getting out of this. Oh, I’d squeeze in somehow from sheer motivation, but then I fear I’d be stuck.
I was the lucky caretaker of a 1949 TC with 15K original miles back in the ’90s. I loved it, fun, reliable, and everywhere I drove it people would ask which car show I was going to!
I can assure you that there is not a single refurbished supercharger to fit an XPAG MG engine – or unrefurbished one – for $1500. If there were, I would buy every one! When I have them I sell a Judson MG-26 in the $2,000 range needing an overhaul, and a working Marshall-Nordec or Shorrock is closer to $5,000.
TCs are an acquired taste, and one must get used to a bit of play in the steering, narrow tires with limited traction, and a wooden body tub that loosens with ago, and shakes. That’s why I have two of them!
“The sports car America loved first.” I’d love to find one of these sans engine, trannie and any other unnecessary mechanical bit. I’d do a decent red paint job and plating. The biscuit interior would be a must, and make sure the seats get a wee bit of extra padding. Then, I’d park it in the living room, and read books or watch TV, while sitting in it. Why? Because it is Art. It is Sculpture. I just want to see it every day, and be around it. Something this beautiful should not be covered, nor kept in a garage, barn or car port.
I agree, sounds nice, but I’d still drive it, so my living room would have to have a garage door.
I re-read The Red Car every year, just for the sheer thrill of re-discovering a TC.
Amen!
comment on tom lange’s ”wooden body tub”.
The tub is steel with a wooden body buck / frame. the same as a Morgan, (which has a steel frame/chassis). I had a 46 T C. The T C frame is considered an active part of the suspension and there is a lot of flex,(ie. moving cowel).
The issue with these cars is a rusted frame, especially at the pedals. A flexing frame, with rust, is a problem. you can drive it and it will run all day but it is ultimately doomed to failure. If someone is serious about a T C it requires a close inspection (frame,rust,wood etc.) to avoid dealing with serious problems. A good to very good T C is $25-$50K cause there is a lot to put right.
You are right – I ought to have been clearer. All MG’s before the MGA have wooden frameworks, covered with nailed-on metal panels.
It’s interesting that the approaches to handling are so different – the TD has a stiff ladder-frame with a soft front independent suspension, while the Morgan has a very flexible z-channel chassis with a very stiff front suspension. Morgan’s would out-handle and out-race most TD’s!
Yes i agree. I no longer have the T C but now have a 63 Mog + 4 roadster.
Though I don’t drive it hard, it has no problem staying up with traffic and cruises comfortably at 65-70. Very comfortable on back country roads.
Very stiff ride over any bumps and rutts
As much as it seems … cheap… keep in mind a full restoration is expensive even in one owner car. By appearance… parts (or possibly all ) of this car have been repainted at least once. The bulkhead color suggests that the car might have been black at one time… though it is not clear if that this correct. Maybe the bulkhead was painted? And if the car was originally black.. then the interior has been replaced as well. They didnt come black on black me thinks. The engine color (early) would have been a grey “ish” color and late TCs, a dark red engine. It seems that the engine too has been painted at some point but it is hard to tell from photos. But there are clearly different shades of red on the car so???? Not trying to discourage… but only do this if you are truly in love. Love isn’t cheap!
It all depends on what you want in a TC. It is not likely that this car has original mileage; either the speedo has gone around once, or it has been broken for many years.
MUCH is not original – the entire interior has been replaced, seats, door panels, top and side curtains. It used to have a heater(holes on the firewall), and there are signs of significant wood and metal decay – the poor R door fit, and the strangely-covered running boards. Early cars had grey firewalls; in mid-1948 they became body color – this car has clearly been painted, probably more than once.
If you want a weekend car you can get back on the road and have fun in for $2,500, this may well be fine. If you want a car to take to shows, it has a long way to go.
Wasn’t this already featured or am I imagining things?
Looks like a great car, but one you’d want to look at in person or have a plethora of photos available to view. Therefore, it will probably stay local.
tom lange>a perceptive comment from someone who owns a T C (a few).
Not an outrageous price but comments here can inject reality into a buy like this.
We have all bought with our head rather than our eyes>>>That said I believe fewer than 5K T Cs survive and it is a worthy classic English sports car to own and preserve // restore…
Tried to connect with this seller but no response. Hmmm?
Hello, I bought this car this morning.
Keep us updated!