1953 MG TD
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HIGHLIGHTS
• Older restoration in great condition
• Originally supplied to Hong Kong
• Restored by senior Moss MG employee over a five-year period
• Full weather equipment
• Charming and lovely example
THE APPEAL
It was exports that made the MG T-Series sports cars such a success.
Immediately after World War Two, many of them found their way back to the USA with servicemen who had served in the UK, and the little British sports cars developed a cult following.
Immediately after World War Two, many of them found their way back to the USA with servicemen who had served in the UK, and the little British sports cars developed a cult following.
The TD 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 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.
Plus, it was a stunning car to look at, and indeed still is.
Plus, it was a stunning car to look at, and indeed still is.
Of the 29,900 TDs made between 1949 and 1954, only 1,656 stayed in the UK, with almost 24,000 of the export models going to the USA.
This one is one of the other 3,300 or so, as it was originally exported to Hong Kong before making its way to join most of the others in the USA. It finally came home to the UK in 2014 and has been with its current owner since.
This one is one of the other 3,300 or so, as it was originally exported to Hong Kong before making its way to join most of the others in the USA. It finally came home to the UK in 2014 and has been with its current owner since.
Finished in the classic ‘cream cracker’ colour scheme – or coffee and cream – it’s a charming car and a lovely older restoration that has been beautifully preserved for the past 30 years.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
• Exported new to Hong Kong and then USA
• Repatriated in 2014
• Chest of history and invoices
• UK V5C
• Tax and MOT exempt
Originally exported to Hong Kong when it was under colonial rule, the TD was always right-hand-drive.
It was later shipped to the USA where it underwent a five-year-long restoration in the care of a senior employee of Moss MG, one of the world’s biggest and best-known MG parts specialists.
It was later shipped to the USA where it underwent a five-year-long restoration in the care of a senior employee of Moss MG, one of the world’s biggest and best-known MG parts specialists.
He then kept the car for 20 years before it was shipped to the UK. The vendor has had it for seven years, but fancies a change of classic so the TD is offered for sale.
It comes with a small wooden chest containing historic paperwork and invoices.
THE INTERIOR
• Original-spec green leather
• Full all-weather kit
• Tonneau cover
• Mota-Lita steering wheel
The TD is very smart inside, with retrimmed leather upholstery in the original green and a matching leather-faced dashboard in lieu of the more traditional wood. There’s also a delicate wood-rimmed Mota-Lita steering wheel.
The green seats are contrasted by brown carpets and a Bakelite handbrake grip and gear knob.
It also comes with a full wet weather kit and a tonneau cover.
THE EXTERIOR
• Older restoration
• Great chassis
• Unblemished paintwork
• Steel wheels
• Very good chrome
The TD was restored over a five-year period from 1990, and as the owner at the time was a senior employee of Moss MG, one of the world’s biggest MG parts specialists, it’s fair to assume that all of the components used were of a reputably high standard.
It has certainly stood the test of time very well – it still looks stunning in its ‘cream cracker’ colour scheme, with unblemished paint and very good badges, chrome and trim.
The vendor reports that the chassis is in excellent order.
The vendor reports that the chassis is in excellent order.
THE MECHANICS
• 1250cc XPAG engine
• Four-speed manual
• Drives and runs smoothly
The 1250cc XPAG engine is surprisingly punchy for its size and runs well, with the owner describing the car as in very good mechanical order with no known issues.
It has been well-maintained during his custody of the car and also when it was in the USA with its previous owners.
It’s described as being great fun to drive with good steering, transmission and brakes.
It’s described as being great fun to drive with good steering, transmission and brakes.
SUMMARY
T-Series Midgets are loved all over the world, so it’s quite fitting that this example has travelled over quite a bit of it itself.
It’s a really smart and charming example with lots of lovely original features and is presented in fine order throughout.
It’s a really smart and charming example with lots of lovely original features and is presented in fine order throughout.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1953
- Make MG
- Model TD
- Colour Brown and Cream
- Odometer 4,143 Miles
- Engine size 1250
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Location Lincolnshire
- Country United Kingdom
38
bids
- ro•••• £20,000 27/06/22
- mt•••• £19,750 27/06/22
- ro•••• £19,500 27/06/22
- mt•••• £19,250 27/06/22
- ro•••• £19,000 27/06/22
- ke•••• £18,750 27/06/22
- ro•••• £18,500 27/06/22
- mg•••• £18,250 27/06/22
- ke•••• £18,000 27/06/22
- ro•••• £17,500 27/06/22
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