Beschreibung
MG TF 1500 - 1955
** Please note, there are a few more photos and a video of the car running from cold on my website. Shmoo Automotive Ltd.
Overview:
Built-in 1955, this MG TF 1500 is one of 3, 400 produced. Out of that amount, just 244 were made for the UK market and we are pleased to say this is one of those. A UK car with the important matching numbers, which has had 7 previous keepers. The current owner bought the car in mid-2021, with the previous owner having owned the car since 2007. Prior to that the MG resided with a keeper in London who covered just 72 miles in 9 years. The current owner has covered some 1300 miles in the car and is only selling it now after 2yrs as he has purchased another classic from me. (I am advertising the TF on his behalf.).
Historical Restoration Work:
In 1986 the owner at the time gave the MG some refurbishment. The car was stripped back completely with the engine and body removed from the frame. This was inspected for damage and repaired as necessary. The body was also stripped back to bare metal, given the same treatment and finished in the original gloss black colour. Some of the work carried out included, an engine, gearbox and suspension rebuild and a retrim in Conolly red leather by Naylors of Bradford.
2008 saw the MG TF treated to a full rewire, enabling the fitment of halogen headlights, flashing indicators, and a new dynamo. A spin-on type oil filter replaced the original canister type and for peace of mind, a stainless-steel exhaust was also fitted.
In 2009 the previous owner had a small front-end bump that was repaired along with some little bits of rust on the front wings also being treated. It was cut out and repaired, then repainted to match the rest. Also, in 2009 there was some major engine work after an issue with a piston. The result was a full top-end rebuild and valves suitable for unleaded petrol and four new pistons were fitted.
In 2007 the car had 30, 926 miles on it, the car now shows 15, 131. The reason behind this is that in 2010 a 4. 3 ratio rear axle was fitted for improved cruising comfort, so the speedometer needed to be recalibrated to give the correct reading. When this was done it was set back to 00000. The actual mileage at the time of the work was 33, 740. Giving a total mileage recorded on the car of 48, 871.
In March 2021, not long before the sale to the current owner, the MG TF received new engine oil, axle oil, gearbox oil, brake fluid flush and new front pads. The current owner (John) is an older Gentleman. He has been an MG Car Club member for over 50yrs and has maintained and improved the car in certain areas in his two years of ownership.
The previous owner enjoyed many miles of motoring and spent hours maintaining the MG.
The V5 is present. The MG TF is MOT exempt but looking back on the DVLA MOT history website, it shows it last had a certificate that expired in June 2022, and you can also see here the mileage before and from the speedometer recalibration after the installation of the new axle.
Within the file, there is some history prior to 2007, and invoices, receipts for work any work carried out since then has been recorded and kept in a documented folder.
Interior:
The inside of the MG TF was retrimmed in 1986 in red Conolly leather. This is still in lovely condition. There is no real wear to the seats, just some creasing to the mattress thickness squab and backrest. The carpets are all matching and again don’t show any real signs of wear.
The door cards and dashboard are trimmed to match, and again, like the rest, have no real signs of wear. The MG three-spoke steering wheel is the original item and is in the matching cream colour to the instrument surround. The speedometer is working correctly and shows a reading of 15, 131.
Behind the seats are the storage area for the wet weather side panels, spare inner tube and wooden tool to go over the knock-offs. Also is a lift-up panel for access to the differential fuel pump and handbrake cables. This is covered with a matching red leather cover that hides it all, keeping it neat and tidy.
Inside the engine bay are a full tool kit, the original jack, a starting handle and a hammer to remove the knock-offs.
Exterior:
Finished in Gloss Black. Starting at the front, the chrome work on the bumper and grille is all in a nice bright condition with no pitting or dents. The lights are in good condition, although one spotlight has been replaced at some point and the lens is slightly different. There are a few age-related stone chips and paint blemishes on the front edges of the wings but only as you would expect. The bonnet opens up on both sides and is supported by the optional extra bonnet stays. The windscreen does have a nail-sized chip on the nearside edge, but it does not affect the vision in any way.
Moving around to the sides, the front wings sweep down to the running boards and rear arches. The suicide doors align equal and straight on both sides. The nearside wing towards the running board does show some slight blistering under the paint as do the doors, but the seller reports that this has been like this for a while and hasn't seen any signs of getting worse. There is a small blemish to the bottom of the N/ S wing that would also require some cosmetic attention going forwards. The price has been set to take this into account and it is a great opportunity to get a solid and useable 1500 TF with room for owner improvement in the future should they so wish.
The spare wheel is original and does use an innertube of which there is a spare. The other wheels on the car were replaced in 2016 with chrome rims and stainless-steel spokes for easier maintenance. These were also fitted with new tyres that do not use an innertube. The knock-offs are all in nice condition and show the MG logo.
Mechanical:
Fitted with the later type 1466 cc it was 2009 when the MG last had the top half engine rebuild which saw new valves and pistons fitted that also enabled the use of unleaded fuel without the need for additives. Since then it has covered 15, 131 miles and is running well.
As previously mentioned, the later MGA 4. 3 ratio differential was fitted in 2010 along with new rear shock absorbers. In 2013 the TF received a new clutch. The gearbox in the TF is the original 4-speed and did have a rebuild several years ago.
The car has been garaged when not in use and has always been regularly serviced and greased.
In Summer of 2022 the car had an oil and filter change, and the gearbox and diff levels were checked and topped up as required. The car was also fitted with a battery.
Recently the hood was cleaned and re-sealed.
A new fuel pump was also fitted a few weeks ago.
Overview:
The MG TF 1500 model was the final one and especially more appealing with the more powerful 1466 cc engine. With added horses and the improved rear diff ratios, it makes this example a far more appealing car to use on events and tours.
It’s been well maintained; enthusiast owned and comes with a detailed history. The car is not perfect, with a few jobs to do to improve it, but it's undoubtedly very useable this season with a solid chassis and frame. It is priced very fairly considering this is a rare 1500cc model.
The car is currently available to view with the owner at his home address, which is in Grantham, Lincolnshire.
Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss any details about the car, or to arrange a viewing.
I can help with export should this be of interest.
Ed - the details below
