The MG TD was the first model from the octagon marque that had the American market in mind. The preceding MG TC was an export success for MG, but American dealers suggested a few changes that would make it a bit more “civilized”. Here is a partially disassembled 1951 MG TD for sale on here on Hemmings in Chelsea, Alabama for a firm $6,500.

One of the suggestions made to improve the suitability of an MG in the US was to make them left-hand drive. That and the addition of full-width bumpers (instead of the optional nerf bars), along with a wider cockpit made the TD a sales success. In all, MG sold almost 25,000 TDs to US buyers out of the 30,000 cars built during its three model-year run. Today, TDs are undervalued compared to the TC and successor TF models, so a nice example can be an economical way to experience the “square rigged” MG era.

The seller is the third owner of the car and he acquired it in a partially-disassembled state 21 years ago with the intention of completing the restoration. How much he was able to get done is unknown but the body of the car appears to be mostly together with only the front fenders and bonnet off in the photos. We do not have any photos or description of the ash body frame, so it would be on the checklist for inspection. The paintwork is a mixture of colors with a dark maroon on the exterior, MG Red on the firewall and what looks like Clipper Blue on some of the panels. There is no mention of a top and side curtains.

The engine and gearbox are in place and the exterior of the engine looks like it has been given some attention, although the seller does not state whether it has been rebuilt. There is a loose crankshaft in one of the photos, so let’s hope it’s just a spare to go with the car. Everything else that lives under the bonnet appears to be present and accounted for.

The interior – if it is the original leather- looks very nice indeed. The door cards look new and there is an extra set of them shown in the photos. Yes, the plywood floors are correct for the car but they are likely replacements. We do not see any carpeting in the stash of parts, so budget for that as well. There are two very expensive gauges missing from the dashboard and the steering wheel is from a later MGA. A lot of the chrome looks as though it will polish up nicely.

Depending on what your inspection reveals, this old TD might be a viable restoration project that could make financial sense in the near future. TD values are climbing due, I believe to the rising values of its siblings. If you’ve never experienced basic motoring in a T-series MG, this could be a great opportunity.