Description
The MG TC is the style icon of the immediate post war years with the sleek sweep of the wings following the legacy of previous MG models.
Less than 11, 000 were produced and of these over 6, 000 are known to survive supported by active enthusiasts groups with easy access to expertise and spares.
Documentation (Held as paper files)
An extensive paper record of the car has been compiled including:
A folder of all the invoices of parts and services bought during the re-build
A file of correspondence with Dan Dickinson
Historical records of events and individuals involved with MGs in California during the 1950s
A list of rebuild tasks estimated costs and actual costs
A Restoration Log detailing the work undertaken on a week-by-week basis
DVLA registration documentation
A record of some of the items found in the car when dismantled
Notes on the operation of the Chronometric instruments
Notes of key engineering data
Paper copy of the MG TC Provenance List
Notes of the rewiring routing and colour codes
A printed booklet of photographs showing key stages in the dismantling and rebuild
Specification
The car is as produced by the MG factory in 1948 other than having a spin-on oil filter and a VW steering box fitted. The Bishop Cam steering box is available and could be re-installed.
Engine: 4 cylinder 1250 cc
Oil pressure between 40 and 50 psi
Original gearbox and rear axle
Original instruments and lights
Work Done
A file has been kept which contains invoices for parts purchased and work done covering:
Wheel spokes repaired, wheels power coated and five new tyres and tubes fitted
Spin-on oil filter conversion
Wiper motor refurbished
Radiator pressure tested
Brakes overhauled with new hoses, master cylinder and hub cylinders lined with stainless steel
Instruments repaired by Speedograph Richfield of Nottingham retaining original dials (Note: ammeter, water temperature, oil pressure and oil temperature)
Complete re-wiring including indicators
Distributor rebuild by the ‘Distributor Doctor’
New interior upholstery by PJM Motors
New carpets by Collinbrook
New Hood and tonneau by Don Trimming
New Fuel pump
Crank crack tested, new starter ring, flywheel balanced, new clutch plate and bearing by Hamlins of Bridgewater and engine rebuilt
Speedo and Rev Counter repaired by John Osdick
VW steering box installed new king pins and front hubs and bearings
Bodywork resprayed and trimmed
New Brooklands 4 spoke steering wheel
Condition
• Engine starts and runs smoothly with oil pressure of about 50 psi
• Smooth gear changes
• Good ride consistent with leaf springs
• Steering much improved with VW box
• Completely new electrics
• Very solid bodywork with no dents and no holes having benefited from the dry Californian air
• Paintwork presents very well with some small surface chips and blemishes
• The doors close well with no sag or issues
• Chassis rust free and passed the alignment measurements during the re-build
• Powder coated wire wheels with matching spare and good vintage tyres
• New Beige soft top with matching side screens in very good condition
• Refurbished dashboard with original dial faces (note: the layout is non-standard as an additional gauge had been fitted for oil temperature)TC7142 History
It is surmised that TC7142 was originally purchased by an American serviceman and imported to California where it has been until 2014
In 1952, the first owner is assumed to have sold the TC to Jim Lockness (a member of the Long Beach MG Club) who re-sprayed the body in red. Jim sold the car to Dan Dickinson founding president of the Long Beach MG Club in 1952. While in Dan’s ownership the car competed in a number of rallies most notably the 1952 Sports Car Club of America with a finish in Wisconsin some 2000 miles from Long Beach. Dan and his wife Dottie finished first, then had to drive back to California.
Dan sold the TC in 1954 and it was next seen advertised on ebay in 2011. Correspondence indicates that the car had been laid up for a significant time because the generator had failed.
Brown and Gammons purchased the car from George Thomas and re-imported it in 2014 and they re-registered it in the UK
The current owner bought the car and embarked on a chassis up restoration which was completed in 2020. During that period, regular email exchanges with Dan Dickinson provided insights into the early history of the car and people who were associated with British cars of this era in and around Long Beach. Al Moss (the founder of Moss Europe) was one such person and Dan records that TC7142 was fettled by Al during his ownership.
