Description
This lovely MG TD has had a charmed and interesting life it would seem having originally been supplied to America it has subsequently spent time in both France and England with the same family. It was subject to a restoration in America to such a high standard that it went on to win best of class several times during this period. Testimony to the quality of this workmanship is the condition we find LVS 784 today, some many years later. It is also clear from looking through the history file, inspecting and driving this delightful MG TD today that it has been maintained to a very high standard with no expense spared. The restoration has had time to mellow nicely, everything works as it should and it drives extremely well.
The large history file that comes with LVS 784 goes right back to the mid 1970’s when it was residing in California and owned by a William Hale. We Know LVS 784 was still based in America in 1990 as we have its original Californian number plate as well. We also have a nice trophy with plaques showing LVS 784 coming 1st and 2nd at shows in places like Santa Barbara and Long Beach in the early 1980’s.
By 2001 LVS 784 had found its way to the UK as this was the time that the current family acquired it. It was purchased by the owner’s father as a 40th birthday present for her. The file contains a large amount of invoices throughout their ownership which really shows how well they have maintained and cherished LVS 784. The current owner was living in France at the time and LVS 784 found itself there for a number of years. Her father would regularly visit to help look after the MG and they would complete many trips together in the MG to various events around France. So, the MG become a great father and daughter bound for them. Around 2017 she returned to the UK with the MG. Sadly, with her father passing away more recently she has not felt the desire to use the MG so much and now feels the time is right to let someone else use and enjoy LVS 784.
It is quite clear when you start to look around and especially underneath LVS 784 that, from the older restoration to the continued maintenance of it to this day, everything has been completed with longevity and reliability in mind. There has been the liberal use of wax oil to the underside which has preserved the nicely painted black chassis and all the underside panels. Where you can see the ash framework it’s all in lovely order. The Cockpit is all in good, tidy condition as is the engine bay. Hopefully you can see that from the pictures which are current having been taken recently. The paintwork overall shows well. Its not perfect however, there is the odd blemish to be found and a couple of marks that have been hand touched in. But nothing too unsightly. The chromework throughout is in lovely order. There is a full tonneau cover, a half tonneau and full weather gear including side screens. Side wind deflectors are also fitted. Installed under the dashboard and on the bulkhead is a discreet battery master cut off switch which aids battery life and is good added security.
From a driving perspective we feel this TD does not get much better. It starts easily, ticks over nicely, has good oil pressure and the water temperature maintains steady. It’s fitted with a good matching set of tyres and the front suspension has had the benefit of a modern upgrade with Spax adjustable front shock absorbers, which really do improve the handling. The gearbox works as it should and the brakes pull up in a nice straight line. The brakes, as it happens, where overhauled as recently as 2020 and there is an invoice in the file for these works which came to £714.
As previously mentioned LVS 784 comes with an excellent history file dating back to the mid 1970’s. There are dozens of invoices, again from the 1970’s right through to this day, a current UK red style V5 logbook, previous valuations for insurance purposes, an original workshop manual, all the correct correspondence for registering the MG when it was in France and now in the UK, a couple of trophies from America and its last American tin number plate from California. There is also a useful amount of spares including, belts, hose pipes, lights, bulbs etc. There is an original starting handle and jack and an assortment of useful hand tools.
