1951 MG TD

This motorcar has been in California since new. Although its earliest history is unknown, it has had three Southern California owners since the 1970’s.

The MG TD is the quintessential British sportscar. It has the classic sporting looks of the most graceful motorcars of the pre-War period combined with very simple and straightforward mechanical underpinnings.

The MG TD had several improvements introduced for the first time on the roadster. An independent suspension using coil springs in front was new for the MG TD, based on that fitted to the MG Y-type saloons, as were rack and pinion steering, smaller 15-inch (380 mm) disc type road wheels and a left-hand drive option. Bumpers and over-riders became standard for the first time. The car was also 5 inches (130 mm) wider with a track of 50 inches (1,300 mm).

Nearly 30,000 TDs had been produced, including about 1700 Mk II models, when the series ended in 1953 with all but 1,656 exported. 23,488 were exported to the United States.

An example tested by The Motor magazine in 1952 had a top speed of 77 mph (124 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 18.2 seconds. A fuel consumption of 26.7 miles per imperial gallon (10.6 L/100 km; 22.2 mpg-US) was recorded, making it a elegant and economical sportscar.

The present owner has owned the car since about 1994. He has used it alternatively with his collection of hotrods and Willy’s phaetons. The previous owner bought the car from two woman in about 1980, and used it very sparingly (about 300 miles per year) to drive to the near-by country club.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhpkVOcsqR0[/youtube]This motorcar is offered in a stunning red with biscuit leather interior with matching top and side curtains. The paint and interior improvements are believed to have been completed in about 1990. The paint and interior show occasional use with appropriate patina. It is quite suitable for local car shows and touring, but would not be competitive for concours events. The undercarriage and engine compartment are all original and could benefit from a thorough detailing and paint.

The top and side curtains are excellent as is the luster of the all burl wood dash. The carpets show moderate use.

Mechanically the MG is very strong. In testing the motorcar we drove it through hills and it pulled sportingly to legal speed limits with little effort.

Few motorcars offer such a tremendous value for the money. MG’s offer the classic sportscar styling, excellent fuel economy, very simple mechanical maintenance and an enjoyable enthusiast’s club- all with an easy-on-your-budget price tag.

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