Vehicle Description
It's easy to understand why they built this handsome 1953 MG TD
replica: it looks great! Originals were frequently neglected and
abused, never mind their legendary finicky nature, so it was
probably a smart idea to recreate the look in fiberglass and put
reliable running gear underneath. Traditional British fun without
the downside, what could be better?
This bright TD has the right look, from the flowing fenders to the
cut-down doors to the rear-mounted spare tire, it's going to fool a
lot of people. Unlike a lot of replicas, this Fiber Fab roadster
nails the correct proportions and doesn't have that home-made look.
Instead, it's nicely finished and very cleanly rendered, with
decent paint that's been touched up over the years but still has a
vintage-looking shine. They nailed the details, too, with a
properly-shaped grille, bucket headlights, and running lights atop
the front fenders, and you'll love the raked-back windshield.
Simple bumpers, familiar VW taillights, and the high-mounted
license plate bracket all contribute to the old world vibe this car
gives off, which is entirely the point. It's not perfect and it's
probably ready to be called an antique in its own right, but for
the price, you probably can't get more 2-seat roadster fun.
The minimalist interior does a good impersonation of the original
TD as well, starting with the seat. It's not quite buckets, and
it's not quite a bench, instead it splits the lower cushion and
puts the shifter in the middle, which is exactly how the guys at MG
were doing it, too. The wooden dashboard is probably far nicer than
the MG piece, and it includes vintage gauges that seem about right,
too. The fat wood-rimmed steering wheel and modern steering column
might give it away, but it feels right when you're hustling down
the road in this open two-seater. Carpets on the floor are a bit
plusher than the British were installing in their open cars but the
door panels with their built-in map pockets get the look exactly
right. There is no heater, no radio, but you didn't get those in
your MG, either, so it's perfectly in line with this car's target
audience. Overhead, you get a folding convertible top that's in
good order with a few older repairs, and quite honestly, it
probably works about as well as the MG's original top, too: for
emergency use only!
Under the front hood there's only a gas tank and some storage. As a
result, there's some speculation about the powerplant, which now
lives in back thanks to a 1600 cc single port flat-4 donation from
a VW Beetle. It's a tidy installation, with good service access and
decent workmanship throughout. There's an upgraded carburetor, a
correct generator, and familiar VW hardware throughout, which means
it's durable, easy to maintain, and surprisingly thrifty. It's
backed by a proper 4-speed manual gearbox, while the front and rear
suspension, brakes, and other hardware underneath are all
bulletproof VW parts (and all the upgrades you want are just a
phone call away!). The exhaust has that familiar whistle that gives
it away, but under way, it is a joy to listen to it work. VW wheels
carry MG hubcaps to complete the illusion, along with a set of
165R15 Dunlop radials.
Not a show car, not a car for fooling MG purists, but if you like
the look and the open-air experience, and don't mind having a
little extra horsepower and fewer headaches, then this MG TD
replica might be a smart choice. Call today!