British sports cars enjoy a strong following in the classic community. They aren’t the fastest vehicles in a straight line but they offer one of the most engaging driving experiences imaginable. This 1954 MG TF is a perfect example of the breed. It presents nicely as a driver-grade vehicle with a subtle engine upgrade that should improve performance. It has a couple of minor needs that a new owner could attend to in a home workshop, making it ideal for an enthusiast who would prefer to tinker than tackle a total restoration. Adding to its appeal is the seller’s decision to list this little British classic with No Reserve.
MG released the TF in late 1953 as the final variant within its long-running T-Type range. It remained in production until April 1955, being replaced by the MGA. The seller is this TF’s third owner, purchasing it from the estate of the second owner in 2020. If long-term ownership ticks the box for you, this could be an appealing vehicle. The previous seller purchased the car in 1960, remaining its custodian for an impressive sixty years. It presents nicely in Black, with the seller stating that it should be considered more of a driver-quality classic than a trailer queen. The paint holds an impressive shine, and any exterior flaws are too minor to show in the supplied images. There is no evidence or mention of rust, and the beautiful wire wheels look excellent. The exterior trim sparkles, offering a stunning contrast to the dark paint shade.
The “tidy driver” theme continues inside this MG, with the interior dominated by Red and Black. The former shade is visible on the upholstered surfaces, with the latter confined to the carpet and dash. There is no evidence of significant wear or physical damage, suggesting this classic has always been treated respectfully. The “Banjo” wheel is free from damage, and the gauges look crisp and clean. There is no radio, and while that may not appeal to some people, it means there is nothing to distract from the motoring purity offered by this MG.
This little MG could confuse some people, with the “TF-1500” badges suggesting it left the factory powered by the 1,466cc XPEG four. However, the Tag confirms the first owner ordered it with the smaller 1,250cc XPAG unit, producing 58hp and 65 ft/lbs of torque. The previous owner made that irrelevant by swapping the original engine for a 1,798cc B-Series engine that started life in an MGB. As an early three-bearing version, it should boost power and torque to around 95hp and 110 ft/lbs. Those figures are still relatively modest, but the driver will undoubtedly feel the difference under their right foot. The seller indicates that this little gem runs and drives well. There are a couple of electrical issues requiring attention, mainly impacting the operation of features like the taillights. However, the basic nature of wiring harnesses in these classics means that the new owner should be able to trace and address those problems in a home workshop.
Regular readers know that I typically prefer my classics original and unmolested, but the engine upgrade performed on this 1954 MG TF isn’t a radical departure from its original specifications. That means that ongoing maintenance and parts availability shouldn’t be an issue, always a serious consideration when contemplating a purchase. The seller listed the TF here on eBay in Magnolia, Arkansas. The bidding sits at $5,300, and with No Reserve to spoil the party, it is only days away from finding a new home. Are you tempted to make it yours?
We’ll probably have a bunch of handwringing here but this transplant would have been perfectly acceptable years ago. A handsome car with a little more zip is a winning combination for a weekend sports car fan of the time and for that matter nowadays too. You have to appreciate that the seller is honest and up front with the shortcomings (no pun intended) and potential drawbacks. Another one I’d buy in a minute if I had a secret environmentally controlled warehouse to buy my dream list of sundry interesting machinery with the offshore limitless treasury I don’t have.
Nice car. You could go the rest of your life with this car without telling folks about the engine and nobody would know… or maybe care.
Hey Bob. I totally agree with your assessment. It looks like a nice driver. The only people that would care are the purists , but the upgrade motor is still MG
A -series. I call that a plus!!
B-series. A-series is the Sprite/Midget engine.
I think it’s a good swap, makes the car usable in at least city driving. I doubt I’d get on today’s freeways, though.
If you look at the eBay listing photos – it looks like the rear wheels are not properly centered in the fenders – I wonder if the rear axle is somehow not placed properly.
Excellent value at the price. I have always liked the cars, a wonderful weekend cruise. Nice and honest seller, and a more HP would be welcome in this TF.
I wouldn’t want to drive this car on the freeway, so for me it has no value as a even a weekend driver. If I lived someplace where there were plenty of Twisties sure. Otherwise you’re confined to tooling around the neighborhood or Fourth of July parades. It is cool though.
No mention of a top?
No evidence, neither. Top stowing area is bare. No side curtains, too.
Always a nice design. Ohhhhhh that lucas wiring
Yeah. More like Lucifer wiring.
Hopefully, simple enough to upgrade to something that is actually functional.
I,d sure like to own it. Its a nice looking car alot of people would be proud to own. Nice descent price too. . Something you could drive and work on as time went by. The looks and material sure beats any new car any day.,Plus you can work on it and no electronic junk to worry about.