1954 MG TF 1500


Highlights


 • Desirable 1500 engine
 • A delightful example of this most archetypal of 1950’s British sports cars
 • In the same ownership for over 10 years and maintained and improved regardless of cost
 • Complete with full and half tonneaus for maximum flexibility

The Appeal

The TF came at an interesting time in MG’s and BMC’s history and was originally seen as somewhat of a stopgap until the arrival of the delayed MGA. As such it was quite a retrospective model even at launch in 1953.
Despite all that, the car proved to be a great success with over 9,000 being sold in just 19 months. It was this slightly old-fashioned charm that made the car a success when new and one of the reasons that, today, they have become one of the most popular classic MG models.
This example is exceptional too. It has been maintained and improved consistently throughout its current ownership and now offers an enthusiastic new owner the opportunity to own surely one of the best examples currently available.

The History and Paperwork

 • The car is confirmed as a 1954 model as certified by a 2008 letter (pictured) from the Society of Automotive Historians
 • Purchased from Barrie Carter C.R.S. of Beaminster Dorset following a full nut a bolt restoration in 2008
 • The fastidious maintenance and improvement has continued throughout the current owner’s tenure
 • The car is complete with a good archive of paperwork including the current V5 in the owner’s name
 • During its current ownership the car has mainly been looked after by MRS Classics of Tamworth, a well-known MG specialist
 • MRS invoices alone are on hand totalling over £12,000 in the period 2010 to 2021
 • Current member of the MG Car Owners Club

The Interior

 • A delightful interior in restored condition
 • The beige trimmed seats are in excellent condition having been recently re-foamed
 • A new black carpet set with beige piping has been fitted
 • The door cards and dash top are also trimmed in beige, presenting in very good condition
 • The car is fitted with a later black padded, three spoke steering wheel 
 • The dashboard features the signature octagonal gauges which are reported to be in full working order
 • An alternative MotaLita, wood rimmed steering wheel (pictured) is included
 • A period Motorola push button radio (pictured) is also included

The interior of this car instantly transports you to a gentler time and seems to evoke a sense of country roads and warm summer days. It’s beautifully trimmed in here too with the beige upholstery, black carpets and accents of body colour on the dashboard making for a jolly and inviting ambiance. The MG signature octagonal gauges are the perfect accompaniment with their bright chromed surrounds too.

The Exterior

 • This TF 1500 has enjoyed a professional respray during its current ownership and projects a deep and lustrous shine
 • The large headlights, sweeping wings and running boards and low, folding windscreen give this car a textbook British sports car look
 • The copious amounts of bright chrome work compliment the bright red paintwork
 • The chromed wire wheels attached with twin eared spinners and fitted with white wall tyres help complete the look
 • The beige hood is in as-new condition with a clear and uncracked rear window
 • A zipped full tonneau cover (pictured) is included as is a half tonneau
 • Chromed aero-screens are included (pictured) and can be quickly fitted allowing for some protection when the screen is folded
 • A chromed luggage rack and a spare wire wheel adorn the rear panel of the MG
 • The fit and finish of the panels of this car are exceptionally good throughout bellying its age
If Central Casting supplied British sports cars, they would look like this one. So many elements of the design are what many consider an architype of sports car design from the post-war era. It really is a delight to behold. The owner reports that the car always seems to elicit very positive responses from passers by and other road users. That will come as no surprise to those lucky enough to see the car in person.

It comes with a new hood, side screens and tonneau from Don Trimmings Erdington Bham. It can come with TWO sets of radial tyres nearly new

The Mechanics

 • This example is powered by the later, more powerful 1466cc “XPEG” engine
 • A larger bore and an increased compression ratio over its predecessor pushed power to 63bhp
 • Power is fed to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual gearbox
 • This car has benefitted from a popular front brake disk conversion where later MGB front disks are fitted
 • Other subtle enhancements have been made to aid drivability such as the fitment of electronic points and an LED light conversion
 • Given the documented spend on maintenance and improvement it is no surprise that the owner reports the car to be in excellent mechanical condition
Whilst the power output of this car will seem modest by today’s standards, that is to miss the point. The TF MG’s are all about the overall experience and it’s a very enjoyable one by all accounts. By no means embarrassed by modern road conditions, this TF also benefits from some key enhancements to make that driving experience just that little bit better still.

Summary

This is clearly a highly cherished car and one for which the current owner holds a great deal of affection. That is evident by the way in which he has continually maintained and improved the car during his long period of ownership.

If you are looking for a British sports car form this era you will be hard pressed to find one in such good useable condition and with the number of valuable extras that this example includes. It presents so well and is in a “ready to drive away” condition. Don’t miss this rare chance to enjoy some memorable summer motoring in this sublime MG TF 1500. 

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Vehicle specification
  • Year 1954
  • Make MG
  • Model TF 1500
  • Colour Red
  • Odometer 73,543 Miles
  • Engine size 1500
Auction Details
  • Seller Type Private
  • Location Warwickshire
  • Country United Kingdom
Bidding history
45 bids
  • Pe•••• £31,500 01/06/22
  • mi•••• £31,250 01/06/22
  • Pe•••• £31,000 01/06/22
  • Pe•••• £30,750 01/06/22
  • mi•••• £30,500 01/06/22
  • mi•••• £30,250 01/06/22
  • Ke•••• £30,000 01/06/22
  • Ke•••• £29,750 01/06/22
  • Pe•••• £29,500 01/06/22
  • Pe•••• £29,250 01/06/22
Message C&C Auction Team

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