Volkswagen Power: 1953 MG TD Kit Car

Disclosure: This site may receive compensation from some link clicks and purchases.

The TD was part of MG’s T-Type sports car lineup built from 1936 to 1955, with Its run between 1950 and 1953. The seller has a kit car replica that’s been in a barn for the past 20 years. We assume it has a VW Beetle chassis since it’s powered by a 1600cc air-cooled Bug engine. We’re told the paint is “perfect” although the photos suggest otherwise, and it does not run. So, bring a trailer!

No mention is made of who produced the kit or when it was first put together. The TD was one of MG’s earliest products to make any sort of impact for the company in North America. Nearly 30,000 TDs were built in total, with more than two-thirds of them reaching the U.S.

If you decide to take this project home, you may or may not get a title (the seller is unsure) and it’s likely been out of the California DMV system for many moons. Not much else is said about the condition of the car and few photos are offered. But the seller does mention the unseen wooden dash is great. Located in Mariposa, California, this little kit is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $10,000, but the seller says, “cash-money talks.” The listing is more than four months old, so buyers may not be stacked up.

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. angliagt angliagtMember

    I’d be more interested in the Mehari next to it.
    $10,000?! – it’s a kit car,not the real thing,plus it needs
    a bunch of work & &&& to get it back on the road.

    Like 11
  2. Howard A. Howard A.Member

    Ach du lieber, blasphemy, it is. Oh, I know, imitation sincerest form, and all, apparently, a company named British Coach Works out of Arnold, Pa. made these kits in the early 80s. The kit alone cost $8200 bucks, and you had to supply your own VW floor/chassis. I think they made a front engine version too. From what I read, it was actually a well made kit, and provided everything an original TD would, except of course no British 4 cylinder clattering away, maybe that’s a good thing. Since T series MGs are getting to be a rare sight nowadays, future generations may not even know the difference.

    Like 8
  3. bobhess bobhessMember

    My cash money might go to 2K but no higher. Lousy presentation influences my lack of excitement over this one.

    Like 6
  4. Tom Lange

    Blasphemy to even mention MG is an ad for this kit-car. Even $2,000 would be charity.

    Like 5
  5. ChingaTrailer

    It’s an appropriate $250 car that you give to a 15 year old kid that wants to know how cars work.

    Like 6
  6. Timothy Oneill

    In 1980 while working at local Ford dealer we did one using vw pan and drive train. Looked good in show room but not practical or fun to drive. saw one done on Pinto pan and 2300 engine much better choice

    Like 5
  7. Kelly Breen

    There was a runner needing brake and electrical work on Markeplace last week for $2500.00. That is Canadian pesos, so in US greenbacks that is about twelve bucks!

    Like 1
  8. Joe Mec

    It’s amazing to me today how many people think they have gold when maybe it’s just copper or tin!! Wonderful presentation of a dust bucket… While it is not British, it might be a fun ‘tool around’ project but not for 10K. I agree on one the other comments…. Maybe 2K if I could see what is under the dust!!

    Like 4
  9. Mike K

    The old saying “If you can’t say anything nice just don’t say anything” certainly is appropriate for this one.

    Like 0
  10. Russ Ashley

    The ad states that it has an automatic tranny, which is a little bit unusual for one of these kits to have since they are usually built on a Beetle pan. Nothing wrong with it, I guess, just that it’s the first TD kit I’ve ever seen advertised with an automatic. I’m beginning to think BF should start offering classes on how to compose an ad to sell a vehicle, as it seems that many sellers don’t know how.

    Like 0
  11. Elbert Hubbard

    Need more pictures bro . . . $10K? . . . California dreamin ;-)

    Like 0
  12. Joe Mec

    One last comment before I leave…automatic transmission???? Why????

    Like 0
    • Kelly Breen

      VW had a semi automatic transmission in the Beetle. I had one and did not much like it. When you touched the gear shift it actuated an electric clutch.
      So you had to shift the gears but there was no clutch.
      The worst of both worlds.
      It never seemed to work right and if you had the bad habit of eating your hand on the shifter it was like you were pushing in the clutch pedal.

      Like 0
      • Joe Mec

        @Kelly breen. Yes I remember those VW transes. The worst of both worlds. They did not hold up too either!! I guess I did have another comment!!!!

        Like 0
  13. 59poncho

    Sold one for 1500 9 years ago and he was the ONLY buyer. I was lucky to sell it!

    Like 0
  14. John

    I had a neighbor who had one of these. It really didn’t copy the TD very zell except in the grill. It’s handling (née driving experience was unpleasant at best and a bit dangerous at times, especially driven like one would drive a real TD. It’s a “cars and coffee” car. This one seems to be very optimistically priced.

    Like 0

Leave A Comment

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

*

Get new comment updates via email. Or subscribe without commenting.

Barn Finds