When American servicemen ventured overseas to fight in World War II, they discovered something unexpected: sports cars. In America, there had been a few examples of vehicles that could fall under such a classification. Unfortunately, they were rather expensive and uncommon. In England, cars that were fun to drive and handled well could be purchased by nearly anyone in the market for a new car. Most prominent of these were the cars produced by Morris Garage, or MG as they are commonly known. After the war, MG produced and exported sports cars to a hungry market in America. While the earlier MG TC sold fairly well, the updated MG TD became a hit in the former colonies. This MG TD, discovered for us on craigslist by reader Peter Rettig, is one of 23,488 exported to America. While the condition of this pioneering sports car is rough, the $4,950 price for this Ellington, Massachusetts based car is a relative bargain.
MG TDs were about as different from American cars of the time as you could get. With open bodies that still used wood framework and side curtains, archaic exposed fenders, and tiny four cylinder engines, these small cars bucked the American trend of auto design mandating larger bodies and more powerful engines each year. Yet the physics behind light weight and lowering the center of gravity helped to make an impression on anyone who slid behind the wheel of a TD for a spirited ride. Folks flat fell in love with these cars and how they handled.
The concept of a sports car was an idea whose time had finally come for Americans. Within a few years, a small market opened up for sportscars and many companies began to dip their toes in that market. A few automotive historians believe that the sports car market wouldn’t have been established had the TD not been so successful. MG went on to have a very successful run in America that ended ingloriously with the last of their cars being imported in 1980.
This TD has seen some rough times. There are many signs that this car was stored outdoors for years, but the body panels mysteriously lack much more than surface rust. The car is missing the wooden floor boards and the wooden steering wheel. Chances are also good that the wood framing for the body is damaged from either rot or insect infestation. While kits are available to replace this wood, the actual fabrication of that woodwork and attaching the metal skin is a difficult job. The floorboards, however, will likely be easy to fabricate.
Under the hood is the TD’s 1200 cc inline four cylinder engine. While putting out only 54 horsepower, the weight of the car was just 2,072 lbs. Not exactly a rocket ship, but adequate for the time. When Popular Mechanics tested a TD, they found that the car’s 0-60 mph time was a leisurely 22.7 seconds. No matter how fast or slow the TD was, enthusiasts did enjoy rowing through the four speed manual transmission. Unfortunately, they didn’t like the lack of a temperature gauge or even a fuel gauge. To determine how much fuel you had to either put a stick in the tank or just look!
Looking at the engine from the passenger side reveals that the twin carburetor intake assembly is still intact. A closer look reveals a large tear in the upper radiator hose. This may have been why the car was originally parked. Not so much for a heater hose, but for engine damage from overheating. Not a certainty, but a compression test may be in order to see if the head gasket was blown. We are told that the engine does turn over, and that the numbers on this car match.
Although the car looks rough, it is certainly restorable. The seller states that the top frame, windshield frame, and stanchions are present, but there is no mention of the seats. Restored, these cars hover around the $20,000 mark. If you could get it for a bit under the purchase price then you might come out ahead in the end. Providing that you do your own work, of course.
MG TDs are definitely historic, and owners tend to love driving them. They definitely aren’t meant for the interstate. However, if you can’t close your eyes and picture yourself driving one of these down some New England back road in the late fall, then there is something missing inside of you. Nobody said you had to go fast in a sports car. You just have to enjoy driving it.
There is one for sale local to me in St.Catharines, Ontario, Canada. It’s listed for $20 000 here https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/st-catharines/1952-mgtd/1344902945?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true
These are truly great little cars and only those of us who grew up with them can appreciate how great they really were/are, very chuckable in just about any corner and nearly impossible to get yourself into trouble with, they are totally forgiving but with enough power to still be a ton of fun.
Many American race car drivers cut their racing teeth on MGs during those early post war years including Carroll Shelby, Phil Hill, and many, many others.
BTW, the little engine is actually 1250cc, not 1200 as is stated above but in spite of it’s small size, the long stroke design provided it with lots of torque which gave its lightweight little body plenty of oomph when pulling out of a tight turn. Many fond memories!
A ‘52 TD, was my first car. Bought in 1956 for $750. Yellow, with plaid top and tyre cover. Made a mistake of opening the driver door at speed. It peeled off!
The super thing about most Brit cars is that about every piece is available AND they were hand assembled so YOU can re assemble them with ordinary (British) Wentworth tools available through Hemmings. No matter what you buy, there’s something faster so either you hop up your ride or don’t race against them. Many of us did the former and the factory would tell you how in a booklet costing a shilling. Doing the work wouldn’t invalidate the factory warranty either! Try that on your Miata.
Good price & not as small as some would envision.
How ironic, I was looking at a MGBGT last night and I was wondering what the MG stood for now I know! I always did like them even when I was a young man! I really like the MGBGT the best of them all! I plan on getting one before I die! :-)
I love all old cars and muscle cars, but these are my first love. I have had one for over 30 years. It was my summer driver when my sons were young. One would ride in the passenger seat and the other sat in the space behind the seats. He would sit there and wave at everyone like he was in a parade. My husband and I once took both kids and the dog to the beach in it. In those days if the car didn’t have seatbelts originally, passengers, even children, didn’t have to have them.
I still have it, but it was in a garage fire and needs a full restoration. I have purchased another to drive in the meantime, but my red 53 MGTD will always be my car.
The son who sat in the back and waved is now the one restoring it.
On great thing about the TD is that you could be in a nice 4 wheel drift……and still be under the speed limit. If the engine in this one is toast, I’d replace it with a Volvo B18 / B20 – double the horsepower, still looks like a proper British 4 banger with the twin SU carbs. Of course, it would be pretty nuts not to upgrade the brakes. I’ve been told that it would be relatively easy to switch over to the front disc brakes from a late MGA. Perhaps the Roadster Factory or Moss Motors might also have a disc brake upgrade kit.