Only 360 miles covered since restoration circa 2003
Matching numbers example
Originally based in Texas and Oklahoma
Over £5,000 in recent invoices
The Appeal
Introduced as the first post-war MG vehicle, the TC Midget was a highly impressive roadster for its time. The car’s beguiling, classical aesthetics, sharp handling and impressive - for the time - fuel performance made them a very respectable, very real option for both the British and American market, with 10,001 produced - indeed, the TC is often credited with sparking off the British Sports craze across the Atlantic.
This example was originally exported to the US market, before being repatriated to Europe and a Dutch private collection in 1989. It’s since had an extensive restoration and has been kept by a dedicated gentleman who’s ensured it’s been kept in utterly fine fettle - with plenty of money spent, and only 360 miles covered in the past twenty years.
The History and Paperwork
First registered in 1948 in Texas
Moved to Oklahoma no later than 1972
Repatriated to Europe in 1989, where it was held by a Dutch collector
At some stage in this ownership, it was subject to a thorough restoration
Purchased by the current owner in 2013, wherein it’s had over £5,000 spent
Currently indicates 03,652 miles on a five-figure odometer
The car is carrying an original Texas disc and an Oklahoma inspection sticker
Private registration "33 TXC" included in the sale
Paperwork file includes:
Exceptional set of invoices from at least 2013
V5 document
Texan Certificate of Title
European import paperwork
Original MG instruction manual
The Interior
Beautifully restored interior with burr walnut dashboard
Red leather upholstery, fully restored
Vintage Moto-lita steering wheel
Subject to a very impressive restoration job, it’s hard to see where originality ends in this exceptional cabin. This MG’s interior really looks the part, festooned in period dials and carrying plenty of attractive grain to its leather and wooden accents.
The dashboard carries a beautiful level of patina, adding elegance throughout. The Jaeger dials are highly attractive, with the only fault reported being the temperamental clock - which is a fairly well-reported issue in the T-series. The tactile switches, gauges and dials are all fully-functional, and joined with an attractive Moto-lita wheel.
The seats are in good condition, with no rips or tears and a gentle level of creasing. The door cards, in matching red leather, are clean with only light markings here and there. The black carpets are a very stylish, clean and well-kept contrast that sets up a beautiful colour-combo.
Put simply, it’s superb - a very pleasant level of old-English milieu doused in rich tones, all nicely presented and very well-kept.
The Exterior
Desirable fire-engine red paintwork
19” silver wire wheels
Indicators fitted, utilising the side-lights
Completed by a vintage RAC and MG Owners Club badge
The pre-war aesthetics of the TC are perhaps one of its greatest assets. The car maintained much of the character of its predecessors, making for a very charming, impressive little automobile that stood out nicely on both the British and American network.
This example is presented in fine fettle, with the fire-engine paintwork in excellent order and showing very few signs of wear, commensurate with its exceptionally low post-restoration mileage. The panels are all straight and tightly-knit, with the car’s distinctive grille presenting well.
The chrome and brightwork are excellent across the board, carrying only a gentle patina, and the windshield looks to be in good condition. The headlights and lenses are clean and well-kept, and the car is completed with a very stylish beige soft-top, that is showing very light signs of wear on its interior, where it meets the moving parts - but otherwise looks in good order.
The car is sitting on period-accurate 19” wire wheels, which are shod in an excellent-looking set of tyres. The car’s underside is in absolutely impeccable fettle for the vehicle’s age, with all components looking clean and very lightly worn.
Powered by a 1.3L XPAG I4 powerplant, which looks to be in good order
4-speed manual transmission, with synchromesh on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears
Car upgraded with:
New stainless steel exhaust
New electrics and rewiring
Cooling system renewal with new Evans coolant
Reportedly starting first time, every time, the car’s engine bay is exceptionally kept and nicely upgraded with sympathetic modern parts. The vendor has only used this excellent little roadster on trips to car shows and his local pub, which is no doubt commensurate with its condition throughout.
There are no reports of any leaks, bangs, knocks or smoke reported, and we can’t see any evidence of mechanical fault inside or under the car’s nose. The vendor is happy to report it’s still a very fun, very characterful drive that manages to impress some 75 years after the car left the Abingdon works.
Summary
A true British legend in every territory, the MG TC is a highly impressive little car that’s now in relatively scarce numbers. This example is amongst one of the best we’ve seen, with nothing we can see that’d cause a potential buyer to resist.
Give in to the temptation and take on a legendary piece of top-down, road-going history…
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
1948 MG TC
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