Highlights
- Believed one of only 51 RHD high performance factory Competition models
- High end £35,000 restoration between 2019 and 2021
- Less than 500 miles since full engine rebuild by Formalls Vintage & Classic
- Stunning condition
- One of the last Mk2 TDs built
- Original home market RHD Competition
- Only four registered keepers
The Appeal
The TD Competition was the final roll of the dice for the firm’s classic-style sports cars before the arrival of the more modern TF. As the name suggests, it was originally devised for track success by '50s racer Dick Jacobs, who also ran an Essex MG dealership.
Detail improvements like Andrex shock absorbers, bigger carburettors and raised compression ratio delivered Jacbos’ goal: a faster, better-handing TD. There were plans for six to enable homologation, but MG’s management realised the potential and put the same specification into series production.
The Competition - also known as the MkII or TDC - was built very late in the TD’s production run so volumes were never going to be high. Just 51 RHD are believed to have left the works, of which only 45 were home market models like this one. The car’s chassis number verifies that it is a genuine TDC. It is one of the last built, produced a few short months before the end of TD production.
It is a very impressive car in a desirable red and tan colour scheme. Little used since the completion of a two-year, £35,000 high-end restoration, it is in superb condition. It isn’t an overstate to suggest it is close to showroom quality. The engine was rebuilt by Formalls Vintage & Classic a few years and less than 500 miles ago. The restoration neatly retains the detail changes that set the TDC apart from other models, such as the black and white MG badge - a tribute to MG’s founder Cecil Kimber.
The TD is the ultimate evolution of the classic T-Type design and the Competition surely its best version. These cars, with their elevated performance, are rare arrivals on the market and a guaranteed talking point at an MG show. This one is sold with a recent service.
The vendor tells us:
“It is a great car that will be a delight to anybody who wants a ready made touring car. It will be admired wherever you go. The specialists rebuilding my XK 150 Jaguar have commented on the high quality of the paintwork.”
History and Paperwork
- First registered 9th December 1953
- Correct ‘TDC’ chassis prefix
- Factory built in May 1953 according to seller
- Only four registered keeper from new
- Current keeper since May 2020
- First keeper from new to 2004
- Second keeper to 2012
- Third keeper was Terry Formalls of Formalls Vintage & Classic to May 2020
- Engine rebuilt by Formalls in 2019 at 11,047 miles according go seller
- Full body-off rebuild between 2019 and 2021 with £35,000 of invoices
- Photographic records of this work shown in photos and supplied with car
- Previously painted cream with colour change recorded May 2020
- Large and well organised history file as shown in photos
- Factory handbooks and workshop manual as shown
- Car cover included
- V5C in current keeper’s name a registered as a Historic Vehicle
- Last MOT expired March 2020 with no advisories and 11,047 miles on test
- The vendor tells us that the displayed mileage is correct but we cannot verify this
- Featured in Safety Fast magazine in January 1973
- Previous valuation paperwork as shown in photographs
- The car has never been run in the wet since the re-build.
- The photo shoot was the first time the owner has put up the hood and side-screens all of which are "as new"
TD Competition specification:
- Andrex shock absorbers
- Large 1.5in SU carburettors
- Increased inlet ports
- Right side bonnet bulge to clear larger carburettors
- Larger intake manifold
- Larger air cleaner
- Larger valves
- Higher compression ratio
- Rev limited increased to 6,000 rpm
- Twin electric fuel pumps
- Upgraded fuel lines
- High performance ignition coil
- Black and white MG badges
The Condition
- Popular red and tan colour scheme in very good condition
- Condition follows high-end body-off restoration and respray completed in 2021
- Paint finish is very good with vendor reporting positive comments from knowledgeable observers
- The vendor is not aware of any paintwork deterioration but this can be checked in photos
- Bodywork and chassis in very good order indeed, with good panel fit and finish
- Underside presents very well with recent restoration and protective treatment
- Chromework is in superb condition, being complete with bright finish
- Factory standard car with smart refurbished steel wheels and chrome MG hub caps
- Supplied with car cover, rear chrome luggage rack and badge bar
- Supplied with tan tonneau, folding tan roof and side windows, all in very good order
- Retrimmed cream leather cabin in excellent condition with barely any indications of use
- Interior is very neatly detailed with high-quality leather trimming and well kept switchgear
- Fitted with a classic AM radio that is discreetly fitted into the glovebox as shown
The Mechanics
- Thick history file of maintenance and servicing as shown
- Mechanical overhaul as part of £35,000 restoration with few miles since
- XPAG 1,250cc 4cyl MG engine with TDC ‘Competition’ specification
- Vendor reports that the engine was replaced at some point
- The current engine is XPAG328379 – the original engine was XPAG/TD3?29379
- Engine rebuilt by specialist Formalls in 2019
- Rebuild undertaken at 11,047 miles and now showing 11,383 miles
- The vendor tells us that the displayed mileage is correct but this is not verified
- 57bhp TDC model
- 4spd manual gearbox
- Serviced just prior to auction
- No reported running or driving issues
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