While American cars of the late ’40s trended toward front fenders integrated into the body, Morris Garages (MG) sent the “Yanks” a classic full-fender sports car with running boards, triggering fond memories among WWII GIs who served in England. Despite its debut as a 1949 model, the MG TD’s elegant pre-war styling made it an instant classic. This 1950 MG TD in Harleysville, Pennsylvania sports a more powerful Volvo engine, a common swap also applied to this car we featured in 2021. Barn fresh after 35 years of dry storage, according to the listing here on eBay, the TD’s had a cleanup but no refurbishment. The drop-top two-seater comes to market in a No Reserve auction, so bid to win. At least five bidders have the MG’s market value over $2000 with about a week left before the hammer drops. Thanks to reader Dave P. for spotting this bonny British roadster.
The Volvo inline four looks right at home under the bonnet, and here we see some red, the car’s original color according to the late owner’s daughter. Horsepower is claimed about double the original MG four’s 54 HP.
An optional luggage rack and spare tire rest against the old-school external fuel tank. Tip your hat to the seller for a nice clean-up, making this MG camera ready after its long slumber.
The simple gracefully curved dashboard lends an aeronautic or nautical look to the spritely cabin. How often do you see a shifter under the dashboard?
Maybe our MG experts can explain what looks like a rod linking the original shifter to what might be the Volvo-positioned shifter further forward. I couldn’t find another Volvo-swapped TD with this sort of engineering on the Internet. Maybe the prior owner was Rube Goldberg.
The as-found picture punctuates the difference between dry garage storage and a literal barn, accounting for the car’s excellent condition.
Even the top looks great with clear windows and no visible rot. Three tires hold air and the motor turns freely by hand. Check out MG-Cars for more information on these little classics. Will you make room in your garage for this non-running ragtop?
I never thought I’d see an ugly MGTD but here it is. Snow tires on back don’t help the look either. Agree is looks like a solid car to restore but it’s going to take about everything to do it. Not knowing which transmission is in the car the rod is a known way to get the shift lever where the driver can use it, especially on race cars.
Says the guy with the blue and pink sprite.. 😆😆😆
The brown is not doing this car any favors.
The Volvo powerplant does look at home under the bonnet–with those SU carbs. However, if the Volvo motor is indeed cranking out double the power, I would imagine the brakes and the suspension might need a bit of tweaking as well…
that rod shif never workes,
Heck, it’s indeed an ugly TD – especially that yellow interior – but rather than wasting a fortune restoring it I’d still just get it running and have fun driving it!
The engine looks like a B16B which should have been rated at 85 hp in its prime. Although just having 3 main bearings and not being as legendary unkillable as the B18 it was still a pretty sturdy engine and could be made to run very sweetly.
If I had an extra garage slot I would have been tempted here.
As a 16 year old weasel, I had a ‘52 MG. It Was too quiet, so I put an exhaust cut-out on it to make noise. When I took in in to a British shop for a tuneup, they took it off, and chastised me! Said it didn’t belong on such a fine marque.
What a beater. Bidding is accurate evaluation.
In a Volvo 544 or early 122, the trans is shifted with a long straight shifter that almost touches the dash in 1 and 3. Here someone has worked out a linkage for the Volvo (M40/M41?) transmission, so the shifter is pivoted closer to where it would be if it had a TD trans – like a Morgan 4/4 SII Anglia transmission linkage.
The B16 is a fine MG conversion from radiator thru differential, but this car is not worth “restoring” to MG-spec, with the various chassis mods that have been carried out.. If it sells for $6,000 I will be very surprised.
The underwood shot looks like somebody riveted in a piece of tin over the inner fender. Not very appealing.
If you think it’s ugly from the thumbnail photo maybe just pass it up and don’t comment. I love the color. I love the snow tires. I love the engine swap. This car is nearly perfect.
Got a ride to school in one of these occasionally with neighbor girl & her big sister, was fun! Like these in Red or the Dark Green.
Already bid above $4K – a fool and his money are soon parted
The amount of negativity on this post is mind boggling…. I’ve no wonder why young people aren’t getting involved in the hobby…. Bunch of miserable out men.