Highlights
- Extensively restored over 3 years
- Lots of new, and new old stock parts used
- Photographic record of rebuild
- Tax and MOT exempt
- One of the best examples
The Appeal
Thanks to its extensive and meticulous restoration over the past three years, this MG TD is in amazing condition all around. You will effectively be getting as close to a new TD as you can get in 2022.
The restoration was carried out by the current owner who has been carefully documenting and sourcing parts. With a well ordered history file, this could well be one of the, if not the, best examples of an MG TD in the UK today.
The History and Paperwork
Starting its life in the usual way this TD was first assembled in Abingdon, but then dismantled and sent to South Africa. Upon arrival, it was put back together in the Motor Assemblies factory in Durban, it is one of only 345 built this way. After its build, it goes to what was then known as Rhodesia, today's Zimbabwe
In the late 70s, it returned to South Africa, residing in Johannesburg, to begin with, it would end up nearer to Cape Town until 2000, it then packs its bags and heads to the Isle of Man. It is then bought by the current owner and registered in the UK for the first time in its history
In the late 70s, it returned to South Africa, residing in Johannesburg, to begin with, it would end up nearer to Cape Town until 2000, it then packs its bags and heads to the Isle of Man. It is then bought by the current owner and registered in the UK for the first time in its history
- Since 2019 a lot of work has been done to bring it up to this condition
- Around about £10,000 worth of parts alone have been fitted
- These include, but are not limited to, a new hood and frame, side screens, frames, a new wiring loom, new interior, 5 new tyres, stainless steel exhaust, new bearings throughout
- Also, there were larger ratios fitted the rear axle to increase the cruising capabilities
- Where required the wood frame was replaced
- All of this work was documented photographically and can be found in a dedicated photo album
- There is also a large lever arch folder filled with paperwork, including old I.O.M documents, the up to date V5, and lots of invoices
- Along with paperwork, there are two boxes of spares
- You will also be able to find this car in a couple of articles
- It is now time for you to get behind the wheel of this beautiful classic
The Interior
- New leather upholstery
- New carpets
- A new hood, frame, and side screens
- Lovely wooden dash
The interior is the heart of any car, and there is nothing quite like a simple interior of a classic MG. With only the vital driving information on display, you can get on with the best part of classic car ownership, the driving.
As you might expect from a freshly restored car, the interior of this TD is presented in amazing condition. Thanks to the fastidious and careful part sourcing of the current owner the interior has been finished with the correct parts throughout with no corners cut.
The seats, for instance, were totally taken apart and recovered with well sourced leather. You will see from the photo album that the seats were originally trimmed in blue leather, but they are now trimmed in lovely light tan leather. The leather is in very good condition with little to no wearing at all.
To match the nice new leather seats, the carpets were also updated with this lovely dark brown material.
If you want a quick insight into how neat and tidy the current owner is, just have a quick peek under the dash. There you will find the new wiring loom. Covered with a neat sheath it looks a lot nicer than most restorations.
When the car was acquired, it was missing its convertible top. A new one had to be sourced. With the new frame and hood material found the current owner set about fitting it. Completed with corresponding side windows, it now looks better than new. When not in use it tucks away neatly under the tonneau cover.
Overall, the interior is in wonderful condition. MG themselves would be amazed at how well it has been restored. You will now inherit all of this hard work meaning all you have to do is get in, turn the key, and drive away on your next adventure.
The Exterior
- New hood fitted
- Excellent chrome condition
- Parts resprayed
Isn’t this just a pretty little car, from every angle this little two-seat classic looks marvellous. Thanks to its time in hot climates in the South of Africa the metalwork was preserved well, the current owner then improved it with their detail-driven restoration.
If we start by looking at the paintwork, we can see that on the whole, it is in really good condition. The current owner did point out a few areas where the paint has sunk a little bit, but you have to catch it at the right angle to see it, so it is nothing really to worry about.
Classic cars don’t look right unless they are adorned with a lot of chrome, this example has a lot of nice shiny chrome on display. From the front bumper to the rear bumper there are several large pieces of nicely presented chrome. Once again, the current owner has mentioned a few small areas of age related pitting, but there are no large areas of rust or big holes. So once again, nothing really to worry too much about.
With the top up you have a great little all-weather tourer that you can use on almost any adventure. But with the top down you have a drop-dead gorgeous roadster that people can’t help but adore as it drives past.
Thanks to the hard work of the current owner, you will be able to display this car proudly amongst your collection or at a local car show.
The Mechanics
- Very clean engine bay
- Good oil pressure
- Taller ratios fitted to the rear axle
- Fuel, ignition, and brakes rebuilt
- Lots of new rubbers and bearings
As you can probably imagine, the mechanical components of this MG TD are in as good of a condition as the rest of the car. There are photos of the top end of the engine removed, exposing the pistons, and subsequently the engine going back together with some nice new shiny parts.
Under the bonnet, you have a nice little four-cylinder. Originally it left the factory with 1250cc, but at some point, in its history, it has had a slight overbore, we know this because it is stamped within the engine, and the inscription reads +.030 Bore. So, it might be a little bit pokier than the original.
During the restoration, the car was totally dismantled, whilst apart it would be rude not to replace some of the sometimes overlooked areas. This means that a lot of the bearings and rubber mounts have all been replaced with new ones, a small detail, but vital in how the car feels on the road.
A slight modification done by the current owner is to the Crown Wheel and Pinions, now rocking a ratio of 4.55:1 which means you can retain the original 4-speed manual gearbox whilst increasing the car's ability to cruise comfortably at 55-60mph.
Overall, the mechanical elements are in very good condition and should make this a great little classic to get out and drive.
Summary
With the top down, wind in your hair, and a 4-pot symphony filling your ears you will wonder how you went this long without such a car in your life.
Thanks to the restoration this car is ready for the next 70 years of its life. This really is as close as you can get to a new MG TD in 2022. So why not buy it and enjoy it as intended, there isn’t any type of experience that comes close to that of driving a well-built classic car.
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