The evolution of the MG T-series perfectly illustrates the value of the American car market to Britain in the post-war period. The first of the T-series was launched in 1936. The TA was a slipper of a car sold to skeptical Brits already made cranky by the formation of the Nuffield Group – a mash-up of MG, Wolseley, Morris, SU Carburetor, and whatever else Lord Nuffield had laying about. The TA was saturated with Morris parts, and its motor was an overhead valve type, rather than the obstreperous overhead cam of its predecessor. Still, the TA was not robust either, and British drivers barely regarded it as an MG. The TB further alienated customers, utilizing the Morris XPAG motor – an improvement that only rocked the boat further. MG’s first post-war offering was the TC. The TC has a reputation for sparking sports car interest in the US, and yes, many did make it to our shores. But it was the TD, with its wider girth, forgiving suspension, and left-hand drive option, that truly captivated America. By the time the TD arrived, it was abundantly clear that MG was throwing over its British buyers to cater to Americans, and for good reason. The US dollar was in high demand for post-war renovation at the same time that Americans were buying cars hand over fist. Of about 29,000 TDs made, 23,000 were exported to the US. The T-series finale was the TF 1500. A warmed-over TD, the TF finally designed headlights faired into its fenders – because Lucas quit making free-standing headlights. Its 1466 cc engine made no more top speed than the TA from two decades earlier. Americans dissed the new offering – our market was awash in 100 mph V8 offerings. Not even 10,000 TFs were sold. One of these is here on eBay, bid to $7601, reserve not met. This low-mileage, three-owner car is located in Westwood, Massachusetts.
But don’t let history dissuade you. This TF is a worthy car and provided you can fit into it, it will prove highly entertaining. The 1466 cc in-line four is equipped with rebuilt twin SU carbs (the dashpot damper is not screwed down on the forward carb). The seller has flushed the gas tank and replaced the sending unit – this work alone will avert a lot of problems. The tires are fresh and the car has a new stainless steel exhaust system. A new starter, a new generator, rebuilt brakes, and a new master cylinder round out the recent work. The seller indicates that the 55,000 miles on the odometer are original.
MG had a fetish for the octagon. The gauge set is fancy; less obvious are the switch knobs, which are also octagonal. (Earlier cars wore the octagon all over the engine bay as well.) Note the symmetry of the dash – that made it simpler to produce a car in left-hand or right-hand drive. The seller says the seats were recovered in the 1960s; their condition is still acceptable. The top is new and its side curtains look great. On the other hand, the documentation is old – just the way I like it. A good shop manual, receipts, and an owner’s handbook come with this TF.
The underside is dry and clean; in fact, there isn’t a sign of rust anywhere, buttressing the seller’s claim of none. The paint is said to be original with age-related flaws. Prices of T-series cars have been drifting down over the last ten years, with average prices for nice cars now hovering around $30k. This car is a jewel – well-maintained and substantially original; I’m hoping it finds an enthusiastic owner.
Always liked these, maybe more than the TD’s. My HS buddy and his dad worked at the local ARCO station as mechanics, buy and sell cars seemingly by the dozens. Mr. Rollings bought one of these and took it home to work on it further-it was BRG and in my eyes stunning.
He fixed the drivers seat (overly large man outgrew it) then tuned the carbs. Sold it for $400, making $350 on the deal.
Again, terrific and well written background, Michelle.
What can you tell us of the 1250 TF-was it just a engine displacement difference?
The TF 1250 had an XPAG engine running at about 58 hp; the TF 1500 used the XPEG engine at a displacement of 1466 cc’s and running about 62 hp. There are differences between the XPAG and the XPEG in the water jackets and components – the con rods are stronger and heavier in the XPEG for instance. Given the scant number of TF 1500s produced, XPEG engines are becoming scarce. If you want to go blind, here is a treatise on the topic:
http://www.tcmotoringguild.org/techinfo/the-xpag-engine-wfk-wood-rewrite.pdf
Also, apparently Abbingdon sent the TF 1500 out with a couple extra reflectors on its rear end, near the top of the gas tank on either side.
And of course, if you’re going vintage racing at SVRA you’ll be in Group 1 H production with the 1500 or I production with the 1250!
Too bad the seats were recovered in the incorrect color. While installing new red covers isn’t hard or expensive, the new seats would clash with the patina of the rest of the car. Unless someone could fine some used covers in decent shape!
I love the 1950s MGs and this one is really nice….
Never have seen one in black and it looks great! Couple of weekends and somebody is going to own a great little MG.
Who invited you here?
Oh oh, sounds like someone has diaper rash.
Maybe he’s talking about his Mercedes 600 in that last sentence.
I had thought the TFs had steel wheels not proper knock offs. I think if the price stays nice, this would make a great summer car in Cape Cod. No high speeds, pretty, scenic, winding roads.
I don’t know much about these, but I’m warming to the idea. Sort of a dune buggy style, without the Manx premium. I’m going to start looking. I can see working through one of these for a couple years while using it as a surf buggy. The black looks great. I thought they were all red.
People were cranky when the TD didn’t have a wire wheel option, so MG brought that back for the TF.
I think the TF is the best looking of the post war, square rigged MG sports cars, certainly better than the TD, but maybe better than the TC as well. I have had one ride in a T-series MG in my life, and it was an absolute hoot. More of a go kart feel than even a Sprite.
I think it’s great how folks have their favorite “T’s”. We should all collaborate on an article about the TC vs the TD vs the TF. Everyone could have a say – what they like about each one and why.
I agree that the TF was the best looking of the T series. I guess at the time it looked too old. A real shame, because it was a beautiful car.
I’m sure we can arrange for some cheese to go with your whine there Mr. 600..
Probably frustrated from spending too much time trying to figure why there are 3 E’s in Mercedes’ that all sound differently!
Thanks for reading. I’ll give your advice the consideration it deserves.
Very agile, mr. mercedes. .
Dear Mr. Mercedes 600: I, for one, although I’m sure I speak for many, would LOVE it if you would submit an article and show us all just how it ought to be done.
Hello ‘mr wrong side of the bed’ … sports car is a term that can mean a lot of different things to different people and what one person considers a prime example may not fit what another person thinks… however Michelle is top notch and she does a great job of researching, but she is also open to suggestions from others… but if your attitude doesn’t change when dealing with others, I can see nothing but misery following you like Joe Btfsplk (of Lil Abner fame).
You must have very narrow shoes to drive this car. Barely any room for shoes down the narrow footwell. There was a version of this car with a Lotus engine, I remember. The story eludes me now after so many years- yet I remember a version that had a replacement for the “1500” badge that said “Lotus”. Certainly, it could use the power!
Don’t open these suicide doors at full chat! Passenger did that in my ‘52 TD. Extensive door damage.
We autocrossed our ’53 a couple times and had to bungee the doors shut due to the chassis twisting. Ton of fun, just not race cars when stock.
No kidding. We have a 1935 MG PA. It has something like trunk ratchet locks on the insides of the doors. If you ignore those, the doors will swing open at every twist of the chassis, which pretty much happens when you start, steer and stop.
Right Michelle !!
I had two TD’s sometime after I got out of the service, and I could get in and out easily.
But, that was around 1969 when I got my DD214, and I was 22.
I don’t think I can easily get in and out of the T series anymore…
Wife & I had a TD in the 60-62 era. What I remember most, it was extremely easy to break the trans, and also the rear end. And, as a ‘highway car’, it was not. We lived at Huntington Beach, and wife loved it for local tooling around.
“The car has a special factory optional exhaust, manifold looks like a racing manifold, option MG sold when new”. This is a split manifold, a US aftermarket item by SOLT, Huth or Douglass, or one un-marked maker. Nothing whatsoever to do with the factory.
Black TF’s could have red, green or biscuit interiors. This car has a typical AMCO vinyl to replace the original red leather seats, and vinyl door panels. The engine has certainly been apart, as it is the wrong color, and has washers under the head nuts. Looks like a good car, all in all.
I wondered about that manifold. I couldn’t find a thing about it in the literature, so I didn’t mention it. Thanks for your sharp eyes, really appreciate the commentary.
I’d love to tool around in one of these locally. Critically, I’ll never understand why a seller will set any parts, other than tires, on the asphalt for photos… They might as well say “I’m done with it”.
Do you drive a Mercedes 600?
Yes, with a blown 454. How did you know?
When I was Lehigh graduate student (59-61). good friend (Ray Hazel) had a 55 TF 1500 which he occasionally loaned to me. One rainy Friday afternoon I had some errands to run. One street was paved in brick. The TF was not good on wet bricks Nothing horrible happened, but I learned to respect the TF’s tendencies to not stop. I’d still like to have one.
I am very disappointed in the lack of respect for T series MG’s. Really great , fun cars to drive and maintain. I can’t think of a better entry level special interest car. All of your neihbors will stop by and be charmed!
College roommate had a ’52 TD, sort of like a sailboat, you never knew when you would get home. Many trips turned into mechanical lesrning experiences.
T-series cars do indeed get little respect these days, as values stay relatively low. The problem seems to be that most owners are older (I’m 74), and the young guys have not caught onto what fun a TD can be. Or, HP is their main objective, which leaves a T-series in the dust. A TD project car can still be bought for under $3,500, leaving a lot of room for repair and restoration. Even TC projects can be had for under $10,000 now, an unthinkable circumstance even 10 years ago. TFs are a bit more pricey, all in all.
The MG T series were beautiful cars to look at but they drove down the road rattling and shaking like a bag of nails in a spin dryer.
And the MGAs were not much better but give me a MGB GT or an MGC GT and you will have my full attention.
Current bid:
US $9,900.00
Reserve not met
[ 17 bids ]