MG TC Roadster

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The MG TC first appeared in 1945 and was essentially a revamped version of the pre-war MG TA / TB models.

The TC had classic 1930's MG styling which was exactly what MG buyers were looking for, particularly car-hungry American ex-servicemen. With its dual-cowl dashboard, fold-flat windscreen, cutaway-doors, separate wings, rear-mounted spare wheel and slab fuel tank, it was every young man’s dream of what a sports car should be.

These classic looks and simple yet effective mechanicals helped the car to sell in important export markets and laid the foundation for MG's meteoric rise in popularity from the pre-war austerity years to the affluent 1950s. Despite its rather crude design, which included a flexible ladder-type chassis and all-round semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension and nine-inch hydraulic drum brakes, the car was blessed with surprising agility.

It was powered by a simple 1,250cc cast iron OHV four-cylinder 54bhp engine mated to a four-speed synchromesh gearbox that enabled a top speed near 80mph. Roomier and more comfortable than the preceding models, the TC remained in production until 1949 when it was replaced by the TD. Exactly 10,000 were sold in total, the vast majority to America, and survivors are keenly sought-after today.

Dating from 1946, this particular TC was bought by the vendor’s late father at least 25 years ago and was fully restored by him shortly after acquisition. Since then it has been regularly but lightly used, a run of 18 old MOTs from 1991 to 2012 showing that the mileage rose from 18,093 to 28,970 during this 21-year period. In storage for the last four years, it was undergoing a recommissioning process as the catalogue went to press and should be in good running order by the time of the sale.