MG TD

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Following on from the successful MG TC which was basically a pre-war car mildly developed from the TB, the TD arrived in 1949, introducing some much needed post-war refinements.

Based on a stiffer box-section chassis taken from the Gerald Palmer-designed Y-Type saloon, it featured independent double-wishbone front suspension, a well-located 'live' rear axle, four-wheel drum brakes, precise rack-and-pinion steering and easyclean wheels. Still constructed on a wooden frame, the car was 5 inches wider with a track of 50 inches. Sharper handling and smoother riding than its T-series predecessors, the newcomer drew considerable praise from the contemporary press.

Powered by a twin SU carburettor, four-cylinder XPAG 1250cc engine allied to four-speed manual transmission, the 54bhp TD was capable of 80mph and 26mpg. In 1951 a Mk II TD entered production with a more powerful 60bhp engine, which offered even better performance.

Great fun to drive, the MG TD had a quirky mixture of a vintage body and 50s styling cues and sold extremely well until it was replaced in 1953 by the MG TF, some 30,000 being made in total of which all but 1,656 were LHD export models.

As with the vast majority of TDs, this 1952 example was sold new to America and has recently returned here from sunny California where it had just one owner for the previous 30 years. He was part-way through restoring the car but sadly died before the job was completed.

The chassis and running gear all appear to have been restored to a good standard and the engine is also believed to have been rebuilt. While there are no bills for this, the vendor states that it turns freely and a brief inspection with the rocker cover and the side plate removed showed clean internals with evidence of engine build grease.

Although carrying a few dents, the body panels are said to be ‘virtually rust-free’ although the paintwork is poor and some of the brightwork is past its best. The hood frame is present although the hood and sidescreens are not. Already UK registered as WXG 533, it comes with a V5C and a copy of the original USA Certificate of Title.

A straightforward restoration project, it could be returned to the road fairly easily in shabby chic ‘oily rag’ state, and gradually smartened up over time as desired.