The owner of this MG TD Roadster is offering it for sale as a parts car. He has listed it as a 1954 model, but as the TD went out of production in 1953, this is not possible. However, a bit of detective work leads me to believe that it could have been built in late 1950. It not only runs and drives, but it does appear to be largely complete. If its ultimate fate is as a parts car, it would seem to have plenty to offer its next owner if they already have a project on the go. There is also another option that someone might consider pursuing with this car. Located in Clearwater, Florida, you will find the MG listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has reached $1,875 in what is a No Reserve auction. It is worth noting that the MG does not come with a title.
The green paint that the TD wears is not original, but when you inspect the car closely, what you notice is that the body panels look to be nice and straight, and free of any significant rust issues. It isn’t clear what sort of state the frame is in, but if the car’s ultimate fate is to be dismantled, the body itself will provide the next owner with plenty of parts. As well as clean panels, the windshield is present and appears to be free of any obvious flaws. All of the external trim and chrome remains in place, and its condition ranges from very nice through to restorable. It certainly doesn’t look like there are any trim items that would be immediately consigned to the trash bin, with the beautiful grille shell and slats appearing to be in excellent order. The wire wheels are an interesting proposition because while the spare seems to be wearing its original finish, the ones that are attached to each corner of the MG look like they might have been restored at some point. Given the fact that secondhand wheels in good condition will easily sell for $200 each, the fact that all five are still there is a bonus. I previously mentioned another option that the next owner might consider with this MG, and this one would be largely dependent on the state of the frame. If this is actually in good order, maybe someone could consider transforming the TD into a historic sports racing car. If it is structurally sound it would be a real possibility, and it might just save the car from being completely dismantled for parts.
The news inside the MG isn’t quite as good, with the seats missing, and the original dash having been replaced at some point. The treasure trove for the next owner inside the TD is not going to be quite as extensive as it is with the exterior, but it will include a lot of those fiddly little screws, clips, and washers that can suddenly become lost during a vehicle restoration. Okay, we’re not talking about items that cost a lot of money, but we are talking about pieces that can cause owners aggravation when they commence the reassembly process, only to find that some obscure item has mysteriously vanished.
Mechanically, this MG TD isn’t original. It does run and drive, but it would appear that at some point, someone has pulled the original 4-cylinder XPAG engine, and in its place is a BMC B-Series motor. This may well have been sourced from a later MG such as an MGA, but the lack of any obvious MG badging suggests that it might also have been pulled from an entirely different vehicle within the BMC range. This is slightly disappointing because having a good XPAG would have been a great score for any existing TD owner. Still, I guess that we can’t have everything, and if the vehicle is ultimately dismantled, then the current engine could potentially be on-sold to recoup some of the purchase costs of this car.
As a parts car, this MG TD has the potential to be quite a good score, especially if the bidding remains within the current range. It might not still house its original engine, but it does represent a significant haul of body panels and hardware. I think that it will be sad to see the car dismantled, but at the end of the day, if one car has to be sacrificed to enable another to survive, then it is probably a worthwhile thing. However, if someone did consider using the MG as the basis for a historic racing car, that could mean that the car will get to live on in some form or another. What do you think?
The wheels have been replaced; wire wheels went away after the TC.
As long as the chassis is not rusted out this should be a reasonably easy restoration and certainly not a parts car.
Engine is interesting. First thing I noticed was the carbs are on the wrong side, then there is an alternator, not the generator. Wire wheels were a dealer option on the TD’s. There are many out there. Looks like more than a parts car.
If the border was not closed, I would have this on my trailer, then cleaned up and on the road for summer.. Why would anyone in their right mind dismantle such a pretty car? And they’re not only simple to work on, they’re fun, too.
Wires were an option on the TD, but these are probably not original. Not much is, but interesting project for someone.
B series engine and box are more user-friendly than XPAG unit.
Project, not parts. It runs and drives. need seats and take off. The problem seems to be no title. Alabama will not give you a title on vehicles older than early 1960’s, so OK. They will give you a tag!
I don’t see why anyone considers this a “parts car”! I also don’t see this particular car becoming the basis for a 100% Concours restoration. I suspect there are many better examples ripe for such a restoration still to be found.
I do see the potential for a (gasp! shudder!) resto-mod TD, using various later MG bits and such to make a very nice and enjoyable driver!
MGA or MGB engine, perhaps from the car that also donated the wire wheels.
If the condition of the car is good enough and it comes with a Bill of Sale couldn’t the new owner apply for a new title ???
I don’t think that wire wheels were a factory option on TDs. Obviously they could be sourced by other means however. The wheels in this case are a mystery. The front ones are triple laced – probably off an MGB or Spridget, and the back ones are double laced off who knows what.
Yo. Dudes notice the hole which used to contain the distributor ,carries little sparks to the pistons. She only runs down the ramps of the trailer. That said anyone that would part this car out is a bad person. Shes a keeper. Pony up some money. Parts are pretty easy to come by.
What no profanity? How may one express themselves with elegance in this ruff and tumble world. I am car poor right now and in the Middle of a MGA Mk.II resto. or this baby would be mine. Be safe.
What are the rules in the US for getting title for a car? In Ontario you can get title by filling a declaration. The VIN gets checked, and provided the car had not been stolen or paid out to an insurance company there are several forms and some tax to pay, but it is not an impossibility. I had to go through that process for my Midget. In Canada that car would go for a lot more than $2,000.
This car sets off all kinds of alarm bells to the extent that this could be a kit car. Have a look at TDs for sale on Hemmings or ? Notice the taillights lack of glovebox. It is a Frankenstein at best. However if you have the ability you may be able to make it your fun little Frankenstein driver but not a TD.
If you have an extra 30K burning a hole in your pocket, one might make a decent car out of it with the price of parts today. Looks like an early MGB engine, not the proper XPAG, if so, the chassis has been butchered to install it. No indication of the wood framing condition. To put it back as it should be, it’ll be very costly and that depends on how much the chassis has been altered.