MG TD

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Following on from the successful TC, the MG TD arrived in 1949, introducing some much-needed post-war refinements.

Its rigid box-section chassis frame featured independent double-wishbone front suspension, a well-located 'live' rear axle, four-wheel drum brakes, a hidden reinforced scuttle hoop and perhaps best of all, rack-and-pinion steering. Still constructed on a wooden frame, the car was 5-inches wider with a track of 50-inches and had a mirror-image dashboard to facilitate either RHD or LHD production.

Sharper handling and smoother riding than its T-series predecessors, the newcomer drew considerable praise from the contemporary press. Powered by a twin-carb four-cylinder XPAG 1,250cc engine allied to four-speed manual transmission, the 54bhp TD was capable of 80mph and 26mpg.

In 1951 the MkII TD entered production alongside the standard model with a more powerful 60bhp engine, offering 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. In all, some 30,000 TDs were made in total, the vast majority being sold to US customers.

This TD was given to the vendor by his children as a Christmas present in 2006. A generous gift indeed, even if it was in boxes and in need of a full restoration. They obviously thought he didn’t have enough to do! He set about the task of rebuilding it, procuring a T-Register dating certificate, MGCC certificate and a BMIHT certificate to aid eventual registration. The car had been exported new to the USA in 1953 and had spent its more recent life in New Orleans. 

He stripped it to the bare chassis, photographs on file showing the extent of the work done. New wood repair sections were supplied by Motobuild and Naylors and duly fitted, the metalwork requiring virtually no attention as it was in such good condition.

The engine, a Gold Seal replacement, was rebored and the crankshaft reground and balanced and the head converted to run on unleaded petrol. It also has a new water pump and clutch. Most service parts were also renewed along with the braking system, the wiring loom, tyres and radiator core. Fresh carpets and retrimmed seats were also added along with a new hood and sidescreens.

The document file includes numerous bills, certificates and photos. The vendor is keen to emphasise that the build process has taken several years to complete and a careful running-in period will be required which may involve some rectification and adjustment as the vehicle has had little running since completion.