Highlights

• Factory competition-spec engine
• Ford Type 9 gearbox conversion
• Original buff logbook and known history
• Right-hand-drive home market car with provenance

The Appeal

 
Immediately after World War Two, Britain’s economic mantra was ‘Export or Die’, and it was the car industry that led that export drive – somewhat ironic considering that in modern Britain we import 10 times as many cars as we export.

One of the big export success stories was MG, whose T-Series sports cars made a massive impact in the USA. The pre-war TA and TB and immediate post-war TC and TD were extremely popular with US servicemen stationed in the UK, so when they went home they often took their cars with them. On the back of that, a fruitful export market opened up, upon which MG was quick to capitalise. Of the 29,900 TDs made, only 1,656 stayed in the UK with almost 24,000 of the export models going to the USA.

The TD was introduced in 1950 and while it used the same wooden frame and separate chassis of the TC Midget, it employed the front steering and suspension set-up from the Y-Type saloon, which made it a far more agile car to drive, while power came from the same 1,250cc XPAG engines as the previous model – not fast, but surprisingly tractable and lively.

The TD was also achingly pretty, as this lovely red example testifies. It’s rare not only insofar as it’s a UK right-hand-drive model, but also because it is one of 53 TDs built to competition specification, with larger SU carbs, bigger valves and twin fuel pumps.

It has been with the current owner for over 30 years, but unfortunately he is no longer able to drive the car due to a health condition, so is reluctantly parting with it. He’s lovingly maintained the car himself since 1992, and it comes with a sizeable chunk of early history.
 

The History And Paperwork

• UK V5C
• Tax, MOT and ULEZ exempt
• Matching engine and chassis numbers
• Confirmation from the MG T-Type register that it is a competition specification car with increased power output
• Invoice for complete engine rebuild by MG specialist in 2013 at a cost of £4,337
• Invoice for Ford Type 9 five-speed gearbox conversion in 2012 at a cost of £1,821
• Record of all major work carried out by the current owner
• Original buff logbook showing the car as being supplied new in October 1953 to an owner in Sutton Coldfield, and record of multiple keepers in the 1950s and 1960s around Birmingham
• Present owner since 1992
• All old ownership records
• Old MOT certificates going as far back as 1982
• Old magazines and articles
• Selection of parts and repair invoices
• Moss Europe parts catalogue

The Condition

• Older restoration still in smart and presentable condition
• There are numerous small marks and paint imperfections, all represented in the photographs, commensurate with a car that was restored over 30 years ago and has been used regularly since, but still maintained and looked-after. It looks great from a distance, but they are noticeable close up
• Superb chassis 
• Chrome and brightwork in good order with some minor imperfections
• Twin aero screens and removable windscreen
• Black hood and all-weather equipment in good, fully functional order (one press stud missing but still attaches fine)
• Full tonneau cover included
• Steel wheels with original MG centre caps
• Seats retrimmed over 20 years ago by an Aston Martin trimmer and still in excellent order
• Red door cards in good order
• Good carpets with original MG heel pads
• Mota-Lita wood-rimmed steering wheel 
• Gorgeous art-deco wooden dash
• All gauges and dials work correctly, including grille-mounted temperature gauge
• Aftermarket orange indicators

The Mechanics 

• 1,250cc XPAG engine
• Original unit with higher power, big valves, larger SU carbs and twin fuel pumps
• Ford Type 9 (Sierra) five-speed gearbox
• Fastidiously maintained by vendor and reported to be in great working order with no known issues
• Starts on the button with minimal smoke and holds a smooth and steady idle with no signs of overheating or major oil lea

BEFORE YOU BUY