1951 MG TD

Vendor supplied images

Highlights

Fully restored by Mathewsons of North Yorkshire in 2009
Benefitting from copious recent expenditure, amounting to approximately £6,000
Just three previous keepers, spending the first 58 years of its life in New Jersey USA
Full complement of weather equipment included
Beautifully presented inside and out

The Appeal

The MG TD Mk2 (or TD/C), was conceived with competition in mind. The factory had been entering modified TDs in Hill Climb competitions, and doing rather well until they were disqualified claiming their entrants weren’t “production” models. MG’s solution was a new model, the TD Mk 2, which offered all the performance of the modified works entries as standard, thereby making it eligible for competition.

These improvements included four supplementary Andrex friction shock absorbers at each corner and twin SU fuel pumps. The engine had raised compression with larger valves and stiffer valve springs providing an extra 3bhp, which may not seem a lot but coupled with the higher ratio final drive improved the overall performance and top speed.

Out of around 30,000 TDs made between 1950 and 1953 only around 1,700 were the Mk 2 and most were exported to the US. They’re therefore a rare sight on British roads as most ended up across the pond. What makes this particular example so special is that it has been so tastefully restored and with such attention to detail.

There is that ‘turn-key’ appeal to buying this car because there is simply nothing a new owner needs to do. Mathewsons of North Yorkshire carried out the work in 2009, before adding the car to their personal collection. During current ownership, the vendor has spent around £6,000 on further improvements, making this amongst the best surviving TDs around.

The History and Paperwork

Shipped directly to the first owner in New Jersey USA in 1951 and there it stayed until it was sold to the North Yorkshire Company Mathewsons in 2009
Once in the UK, Mathewsons treated the car to an extensive restoration after which it remained in their own collection until 2013 when it was sold to the second owner
The MG remained in their ownership until 2021 when the car was returned to Mathewsons for re-sale
Current V5C present, along with several important documents including verification of engine and chassis identification from the Octagon Club, original New Jersey documentation and paperwork from Mathewsons
The present owner has amassed a collection of invoices from their ownership, amounting to around £6,000
Comprehensive engine overhaul carried out by Risborough Service Centre in October 2022, costing £3,083.07
A further invoice dated August 2023 from MGOC Workshop details more mechanical work

The Condition

Handsome Clipper Blue paintwork
Excellent brightwork
Full complement of wet weather gear present
All cabin electrics and instrumentation reportedly in good working order

The bodywork is finished in a delightful Clipper Blue and has a deep gloss which appears as fresh as the day it was painted. The chrome embellishments all look bright and clean and provide a delightful contrast to the body.

The hood is also in first-class condition and has a set of wet weather panels that were made new at the time of the restoration. Interestingly, many TDs suffer from the timber frame doors becoming a slightly awkward fit and require lifting as they are closed. Not this car, the doors fit so incredibly well and close with an ease normally reserved something much more modern.

The dash and instruments are all laid out as the factory intended and everything operates as it should. The seats and carpet show very little if any major use and are clean and free of tears. The choke has been moved to a more convenient location too

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The Mechanics

1,250 cc four-cylinder petrol engine
Four-speed manual gearbox
The thorough restoration updated certain aspects, adding indicators and a key starter
Benefitting from copious mechanical maintenance during present ownership

Having spent a great deal of time and money on this car’s mechanicals, this MG runs immensely well.

It starts from cold with a little choke, running quietly and ever so sweetly. Once warm there is a distinct lack of fumes from the tiny tail-pipe. Gear selection remains positive and precise and has a lightness and ease of use to all the controls and has a respectful turn of speed that will allow it to be driven without major concern along the busy ‘A’ roads of today.

BEFORE YOU BUY

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