Relative rarity often ignites debate in the classic world as various people argue for and against its importance to a car’s potential value. That will probably be the case with this 1953 MG TD because it is 1-of-1,710 examples of the Mark II version. That figure represents a small percentage of total “TD” production, but its rarity claims could go far deeper than that figure suggests. It is a solid restoration project that the seller has listed here on Facebook in Beaufort, South Carolina. They set their price at $12,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Bill C for spotting this cool British classic.

For those who like their facts and figures, you will be fascinated to learn that only the final 315 TDs wore a “Mark II” badge on the hood. That encompasses the entire 1953 production and eighty-nine cars produced in 1952. Our feature car is no exception, and it appears to be essentially intact. The hubcaps are gone, but the TD retains its 15″ steel wheels, Black soft-top, and bright trim and chrome items. The panels wear imaginatively named MG Red paint that shines warmly but shows its age courtesy of a few scratches and marks. The seller doesn’t mention rust problems, and with prone areas like the doglegs appearing sound, this little gem could potentially be rust-free. We catch glimpses of the interior in a couple of shots, confirming that it is trimmed in Black. That would not be original because MG color and trim charts indicate that Black upholstery wasn’t available with any exterior paint shade throughout TD production. It should be Beige or Red, but confirming which would take an in-person inspection. The interior is claimed to be in good order, and the seller includes a new carpet set to add the perfect finishing touch.

The seller supplies no engine photos and doesn’t indicate whether this classic is numbers-matching. All TDs rolled off the line powered by the venerable 1,250cc “XPAG” four that sent its power to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. A “standard” TD delivered 54hp and 64 ft/lbs of torque to produce a ¼-mile ET of 21.5 seconds and a top speed of 80mph. The Mark II was also known as the MG TD/C, signifying a more potent Competition variant. It is worth remembering that the word “potent” is a relative term. Cylinder head improvements, larger carburetors, and other minor changes boosted power to 57hp, although the torque figure remained unchanged. Three horsepower might not sound like much, but in a car with modest output, it represented a nearly 6% improvement. Most owners would rather have had it than not, and it did slash the ¼-mile ET to 20.9 seconds. The listing confirms this car runs but requires carburetor and transmission work. The rudimentary engineering of these classics means the new owner might be able to tackle most of the necessary work themselves. This could result in a considerable saving on labor costs, something that most enthusiasts welcome with open arms.

The production figures for the MG TD are interesting because several reputable sources agree that only 1,710 cars out of a production total of 23,488 TDs were the Mark II version. However, that isn’t the end of the story because export records confirm that only 157 of those cars emerged from the factory in 1953, destined for the North American market. That figure, confirmed across several reliable sources, signifies this is a rare vehicle. That makes it worthy of restoration, but would you be willing to take it on?