The MG TD is one of several open two-seat sports cars built by MG between 1936-55. TDs were built in 1950-53 and more than two-thirds of them were exported for U.S. consumption. One interesting factoid is that they used a 12-volt electrical system at a time when most American cars were 6-volt. They were small autos, at just 12 feet in length and five feet in width. This ’53 edition, resting in a barn or shed in Lovettsville, Virginia, is a project car that appears to have been sitting for years. We’re told it’s mostly there and available here on craigslist for $3,500. Hats off to Chuck Foster for turning us on to this one!
Much of the hardware associated with the TD came from other MG automobiles. For example, the drivetrain was lifted from the MG TC and the chassis and suspension components from the MG-Y. But things like the 4-speed manual transmission was all its own. The new car rode on 15-inch disc type road wheels and left-hand drive was an option not afforded its predecessors (the seller’s car is right-hand drive which meant it came to the U.S. after being purchased in Europe).
Enthusiasts weren’t totally enamored with the car, saying it was “too mild” to be a sports car. Not sure why they thought that as it had a 1250cc inline-4 good for 47 (or 54 depending on the year) in a light car. The Motor tested one in 1952 and it hit 77 mph after doing 0 to 60 in 18 or seconds. But it wasn’t thrifty by today’s standards, just 22-23 mpg. When all-was-said-and-done, MG built nearly 30,000 TDs through 1953 and less than 1,700 stayed in the UK for local patronage.
The seller doesn’t offer much information on this car. It’s said to be almost complete, but we don’t know what the “almost” parts means or what it will take to acquire what’s not there. And it doesn’t have a title, so the buyer will have to jump through the usual hoops to get official ownership in his/her name. Unlike the editions that were imported to the U.S., this one retains right-hand-drive. The odometer reading is 10,000, but it’s been broken for some time. Hagerty indicates these cars in prime condition can be worth $35,000 – if you can find one. The last photo is of one such car that the seller’s version aspires to be one day.
one nice looking car love it
There is a lot more going on with this car than you can see. When you see a strap holding the doors shut it’s a good sign that most of the below metal wood structure is bad in the cowl. Rust inside the doors don’t promote any fuzzy feelings either.
Few pictures, almost no description. Why bother…
as a right hand drive it probably was’t bought in europe but bought in england which would have had a riight hand drive in order to drive on the left side of the road way
Rust is the least of your problems with this car… Think termites. I had a 51 TD and while they’re a joy to work on mechanically, structurally things can be sketchy. The ash wood frame that supports the bodywork can rot when exposed to the elements and rebuilding it requires some expertise. The metal skin is attached to the frame with nails and some leading is needed in spots to smooth out joints. There’s hardly a prettier car than a fully restored MGTD and parts are readily available but the process of restoring one is quite different from other types of cars.