1948 MG TC Competition Car
Vendor supplied images
Highlights
- Competition race car first owned and campaigned by Bob Magenheimer
- Appeared at Watkins Glen, Elkhart Lake and many other USA tracks
- Restored in 1960s and remains in great, patinated condition
- Current keeper is a former historian of the SCCA and acquired it in 1994
- History file includes race history with results, trophies and even driver suit
- Sparingly used in last 30 years being trailered to shows and gymkhanas
The Appeal
If you’re looking for a freshly restored MG TC that wears its long history lightly, then this 1948 car may not be for you. If, on the other hand, a car with a fascinating, well documented race history covering 50 years is your thing, read on.
This is a little car with a huge story to tell. Its life includes race and championship wins, collecting a raft of trophies along the way. It all began in 1948 when this car was shipped to the USA for renowned racing driver Bob Magenheimer. He campaigned it vigorously throughout the 1949 to 1953 seasons before selling it. It attended SCCA events - including Watkins Glen and Elkhart Lake - as well as Strategic Air Command air base races, hill climbs, gymkhanas, rallies and time trials.
It turns out that despite going on to drive Elvas, Ferraris, Porsche, Austin Healeys and Lotus, he loved this tiny MG so much that he bought it back in the 1960s.
It turns out that despite going on to drive Elvas, Ferraris, Porsche, Austin Healeys and Lotus, he loved this tiny MG so much that he bought it back in the 1960s.
On purchase he fully restored it, switching it from cream to a far more appropriate racing red. The current keeper - a former historian of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) - acquired it in 1994 because of its remarkable provenance. The car has not been raced since Magenheimer's ownership but it has been in and around the scene for much of its subsequent life.
The car arrived in the UK with the current keeper in 2016 and has led a more sedate life since. It has featured in classic car events and rallies, including in the north of Scotland, where it has been trailed to and from with little road use.
The car wears various plaques and stickers attesting to its incredible history, alongside a light patina of wear. You wouldn’t want this car to be box fresh but it is very solid and presentable. Ready, by the look of things, for more track and road action.
History and Paperwork
- First registered in 1948
- Sold new to USA and acquired by race driver Bob Magenheimer
- He campaigned the car at Sports Car Club of America events between 1949 and 1953
- He sold the car in the mid 1950s and it was little used until the 1960s
- In the 1960s be bought the car back and restored it in red, a colour he felt was more appropriate
- The current keeper acquired the car in the USA in 1994, whilst living there
- Imported to the UK by the current keeper and registered here on 1st December 2016
- One registered keeper since arriving in the UK
- Appeared at Watkins Glen and Elkhart Lake for SCCA events
- Also appeared at Strategic Air Command air base events
- Used for hill climbs, rallies, gymkhanas and time trials in the American midwest
- Used for rallies and events in the far north of Scotland since arriving in the UK
- The current owner did take it to various racing re-enactment events, shows and vintage car gatherings in America from 1994 until 2016 when the car was brought to Scotland
- Always trailered to and from events for last 30 years by current keeper with little road use
- Authenticated racing history including metal SCCA registration plates showing number 72
- Fully documented race history with dates, results and locations
- Trophies including several for first place wins and championship wins
- Photographs of the car in action and press clippings
- Driver’s suit, helmet, gloves and goggles included
- Race car trailer included as shown
- Framed print of the painting of the start of the 1952 Watkins Glen race featuring this car
- This is signed by the artist and three of the drivers
- Other racing and MG memorabilia included and shown in photographs
- Stored indoors and trailered to events since 2017
- Maintenance performed by the owner
- MOT not required due to the age of the vehicle
The Condition
- Very smart and solid red TC with racing decals including ‘72’ roundels
- The paintwork is well kept but this is a working race car so expect some signs of age
- Bodywork presents well with chassis in similarly good order
- Car is very presentable but vendor advises that the chrome would benefit from refurbishment
- Features factory plaques and MG T Register plaque
- Red leather seats in fair conditioning showing some wear
- Carpets are presentable but could be improved by renewing
- We are told the headlight and indicator wiring needs attention
The Mechanics
- 1,250cc XPAG MG engine
- 4spd manual gearbox
- Older mechanical restoration by original racer Bob Magenheimer
- Maintained by the seller who is a capable amateur mechanic and race driver
- Used regularly to autumn 2023 when put into storage
- Vendor advises the car was running fine when put into storage
- Wiring requires attention as noted above
- No other running or driving issues advised by seller
The vendor tells us:
“This car has a unique and thoroughly documented racing history and a significant amount of memorabilia that goes with it into the sale. I was the historian for the Sports Car Club of America and purchased it due to its racing history. If you are interested in preserving a documented part of motorsports history, this is the car for you.”
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Vehicle specification
- Year 1948
- Make MG
- Model T-Type
- Colour Red
- Odometer 67,148 Miles
- Engine size 1250
Listing Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Caithness
- Location Scotland
- Country United Kingdom
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