Long-term ownership of a classic car is nothing new, but this 1952 MG TD takes it to a new level. It has been part of the same family for an incredible seventy years, but the time has come for it to head to a new home. It underwent a frame-off restoration many years ago, but it still presents beautifully today. The seller has pulled it out of storage and returned it to a roadworthy state, making it ready to hit the road with a new owner behind the wheel. If you feel up to the challenge of owning a classic British sports car, you will find this MG located in Rohnert Park, California, and listed for sale here on Craigslist. You could call this MG yours by handing the owner $17,500.

The seller indicates that the owner treated this MG to a frame-off restoration in the 1980s. It received limited use once the work was complete before the owner placed it into storage. It has only recently been dragged out and revived, and it remains in excellent condition. Its Black paint shines richly, with no visible flaws or defects. It would probably benefit from a careful hand polish, but even that would not be essential. The panels are laser straight, but the best news is that since this vehicle has spent most of its life in California, it remains completely rust-free. The underside is spotlessly clean, and it has no immediate physical needs. The matching Black soft-top is as tidy as the rest of the exterior, while the trim shines beautifully against that Black paint. The original steel wheels are in excellent condition and are wrapped in a new set of tires. There’s little doubt that this MG is a head-turning car.

Lifting back the hood on this MG reveals the 1,250cc XPAG four-cylinder engine that produces 54hp. That power finds its way to the road via a four-speed manual transmission, allowing this British gem to cover the ¼ mile in 21.5 seconds. However, it is worth noting that brute straight-line speed is not the forte of these cars. They are more at home cruising winding country roads, providing a relaxed wind-in-the-hair motoring experience. While he doesn’t expressly state it, I believe this vehicle is a numbers-matching classic. I suspect that the engine was probably treated to a rebuild as part of the restoration process and saw little use before the car went into hibernation. When the seller moved it into the light of day, he worked through returning it to a roadworthy state. As well as replacing the tires, he performed a service, replaced the brakes, and checked the fuel system. The fuel system proved to be in good order because the owner was meticulous about his preparation before placing the MG into storage. This TD is now roadworthy and ready to be enjoyed by a new owner.

It seems that the owner had an eye for detail and originality when they performed the restoration on this MG. Any TD that rolled off the factory floor in Abington, Oxfordshire, wearing Black paint would, as a matter of course, feature an interior trimmed in Red, Beige, or Green. It is common to see refurbishments where an owner aims for a triple-black treatment, but this MG features its correct Green interior trim. It presents as nicely today as it would have when the restoration was complete. There are no signs of wear or physical damage, and even the original banjo-style wheel is in good condition. The dash is free from problems, while the gauge markings are crisp and the lenses are clear. The new owner could drive this car with pride because there’s nothing to be ashamed of with this interior.

It is easy to claim that any classic car represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and often, those claims don’t stand up to close scrutiny. However, that would seem to be true with this 1952 MG TD. Finding any classic that has been the subject of long-term ownership is a treat, but finding one where that feat has spanned seven decades is pretty incredible. While its owner performed a restoration in the 1980s, the fact that it has remained untouched and unmodified since means it could easily be classed as a survivor. Its asking price is highly competitive, and I suspect the new home won’t be very far away. Could it be yours?