If one is good, two must be better. Here on craigslist is a package deal on two MG TDs, with an asking price of $12,000, cash only. The blue 1950 car has an engine and transmission with documents including a bill of sale. This car apparently had some engine work completed. The red 1951 car has no engine or transmission, but it does have a title. This passel of cars is in Geraldine, Montana, which is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. The seller does offer delivery but not to California, Chicago, New York City, or Minneapolis (!), and he is adamant about not parting out the cars. This tip is courtesy of T.J. – thanks T.J.!
The TC, predecessor to the TD, was credited with sparking the sports car craze in America, as a few were exported from Britain to the US and several were brought home by servicemen. But the TC was never a left-hand drive car and its dimensions, gearing, and suspension didn’t cut it on our long highways. The TD’s longer-legged axle ratio and improved suspension seriously boosted sales and gave MG a genuine foothold in the US market, where we had never seen anything so lithe and rakish. This package deal contains one in-line four-cylinder motor mated to a gearbox. The original engine was just 1250 cc’s but the cars felt spunky despite the small displacement. No word in the listing regarding the current condition of this engine/transmission, or even if they are original to the car; engine swaps are common.
Between the two cars, a buyer is likely to find the major parts required to cobble up a single vehicle but he is also likely to find gauges that need rebuilding, rust, rotten rubber, tattered interiors, no feasible top, and also more fenders than can be used. I don’t care how hard you stare at this pile of parts, you’ll likely discover only after hauling it home that you need to buy $5000 worth of nits and nats before you have a complete MG TD, and that the extra fenders are worth nearly nothing when you want to sell them at a swap meet.
Price is a pivotal issue here. TDs are not drawing the intensity of interest they enjoyed even five years ago. Add to this price the toil and trouble, not to mention several extra bucks, of resurrecting this stew of cars and parts, and you may be better off buying a finished product. Are there fans of early MG’s willing to spring for this duo?
Not enough there to justify the asking price. Half the price probably won’t justify it either.
The blue car is a 1953 as it has later front shocks and the bump in the front fender for those shocks. I agree with Bob the price on a good day would be around $3500 for both. Long way away for most folks also.
I had a 53 TD, and I think the bulge in the bonnet on the left side is for the starter.
Somebody correct me if I am wrong on this.
I had a 53 TD, and I think the bulge in the bonnet on the left side is for the starter.
Somebody correct me if I am wrong on this.
The bump that I pointed out was in the front fenders as stated. The bump in the bonnet or hood in the US is for the generator. They all had that bump. The MK2 TD also had a smaller one on the same panel. I have four TDs in the garage. Two under restoration and one just sitting. The last one I bought in 1970. It is my trusty best driver.