Stunning Older Restoration: 1951 MG TD

Over two decades have passed since this 1951 MG TD underwent a frame-off restoration. Its owner hasn’t tried to wear it out, only covering 1,000 miles behind the wheel since. It still presents beautifully and could be ideal for an enthusiast with a classic British sports car on their radar. The seller listed it here on Craigslist in East Berlin, Pennsylvania. They set a price of $15,500, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting this gem.

MG announced the TD as the replacement for the TC model in January 1950. The company followed its usual practice of digging into its Parts Bin for many chassis and mechanical components, while the body style evolved from its predecessor’s. It remained in production until 1953, with 29,664 cars rolling off the line in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England. The seller states this 1951 example received a frame-off restoration in 1997-98 and has had little use since. The process included ensuring the panels were laser-straight and rust-free before applying a fresh coat of the car’s original Almond Green paint. This shade appeared twice on the TD color palette. Buyers could order it in 1950 and 1951 before it disappeared and was available again in 1953. The photo quality isn’t the best, but they seem to show no significant deterioration since the restoration ended. The paint shines nicely, while the Black soft-top and side curtains look perfect. The wheels show no signs of damage, and the trim sparkles beautifully. The exterior color and interior trim combination meant the grille slats would be Tan or body-colored. This car’s slats are in the correct shade of Green.

Buyers ordering a TD in Almond Green could select from interior trim in Tan or Green. This car features the former, and its presentation is virtually perfect. The seatcovers have some slight wrinkles, but there is no wear or other problems. The remaining trim pieces are excellent, as are the dash and carpet. One change that will divide opinion is the aftermarket wheel. Its thicker rim would undoubtedly be comfortable, although purists might consider spending $350 on a high-quality reproduction of the car’s original “banjo” wheel to recapture the interior’s original appearance.

Powering this MG is the 1,250cc “XPAG” four that sends its power to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. Describing the engine’s output as “modest” would seem appropriate because the driver has 54hp and 64 ft/lbs of torque at their disposal. That isn’t a lot, but the aim of the design exercise was not to produce a car capable of melting its tires on the drag strip. The TD was conceived as an affordable British drop-top that would sell acceptably in foreign markets. It achieved the goal admirably because while 10,001 buyers handed over the cash for an MG TC, the TD romped to a final tally of 29,664. These classics are most at home on twisting country roads where the low seating position makes them feel considerably faster than the speedometer needle suggests. The seller claims this little gem has only clocked 1,000 miles in over two decades since the restoration ended. It is in excellent mechanical health, and potential buyers should consider it a turnkey proposition.

There can sometimes be a substantial gap between what specialist organizations like Hagerty view as the potential value of a classic and what the reality is in the market. That isn’t the case with this 1951 MG TD, with Hagerty quoting a figure of $16,200 for a #3 example. That gels with recent sales results, suggesting the seller’s price is highly competitive. Are those thoughts enough to tempt you to pursue this classic further?