Vehicle Description
The traditional MG: light, quick, with cut-down doors and flowing
fenders, and that upright MG grille up front. Evolution was slow at
Morris Garage, but there's a reason why cars like this 1950a MG TD
were brought home by the hundreds by GIs returning from Europe, and
why they remain wildly popular today.
The look is pure pre-war, with separate fenders and a long hood,
but the energetic handling and performance were quite contemporary.
This MG has been beautifully restored, but not to the point where
you're afraid to drive it, which misses the point entirely. The
body construction was traditional, but that also means that it's
light and easy to repair, and this one shows no signs of serious
damage or the MG's arch-nemesis, rust. Hood and door fit are quite
good, and the bright red paint is a very correct-looking finish
that's got a great shine but no metallic, so it looks right on the
diminutive little roadster. It is nice enough to have been invited
to the 2017 Atlanta Concours d'Elegance, and the overall
presentation is what endears MGs to their legions of fans; this car
gets the look right. Of course, things like the chrome grille,
stand-alone headlights, and simple bumpers give it an old-fashioned
look, and they're all in good original condition, with the usual
light pitting but nothing that needs immediate attention.
Inside the cabin, there's adequate room for two once you settle
into the low bucket seats and assume the proper driving position.
In actuality, you'll probably find it's easy to spend hours behind
the wheel without fatigue and there's plenty of room for two
normal-sized folks so no complaints about long road trips in this
neat little roadster. Well, maybe your cheeks will be hurting from
grinning so much, but the driving experience is involving without
being exhausting. The interesting split bench seat has been
properly reupholstered in pleated black vinyl, which does a pretty
good impersonation of leather without the added maintenance.
Matching door panels are the essence of simplicity and black
carpets with embroidered mats complete the ensemble. The real
walnut dashboard houses an array of pretty Jaeger instruments that
retain the vintage British look, and we're particularly fond of the
ornate metal center panel with the secondary controls. The original
three spoke steering wheel has that traditional skinny rim and
there are wind wings that help keep the cabin comfortable at speed.
And since MG lovers are serious about their cars, this one includes
a fresh black canvas convertible top and side curtains for the
cockpit.
The whole point of an MG isn't brute power, but they're plenty
peppy with the 1250 cc inline-four, and it has a wonderful baritone
exhaust note that's half the experience. This one is a wonderful
runner, firing up easily through dual side-draft SU carburetors
inhaling through a single air cleaner. The whole engine is scarcely
bigger than a briefcase, but all the parts are easy to get at and
maintain, which is the whole point. It's also beautifully and
authentically detailed, making this an MG you can show with pride
almost anywhere. The engine's linked to a slick-shifting 4-speed
manual transmission whose light action and progressive clutch are
the cornerstone of performance driving and you'll never get tired
of dropping down a gear to hear the engine's song. The chassis is a
simple ladder frame with an independent front suspension, a recent
exhaust system, and it sits on painted wire wheels with
appropriately tall 165R15 radial tires.
One drive and you'll see why it's so easy to love an MG and why the
market on these cars is on the way up. Call today!