Vehicle Description
It's about as British as High Tea and as charming as an open-air
classic can be. This 1952 MG TD is likely the very vision of what
your mind's eye would conjure up upon hearing the words "vintage
sports car". A combination of skillful restoration and
well-documented, attentive care has brought it through the years in
impressive fashion, so this marvel from across the pond still
offers a very solid driving experience to go along with its
undeniable charm - and all at a very attainable price.
Its exterior is draped with a pleasantly subtle creme color, the
result of an older repaint, and despite the passage of years, it
still acquits itself well, with a surprisingly smooth texture and a
more consistent shine than you'd likely expect. The red front
grille adds a nice bit of contrast, as do its array of chrome
exterior fittings, all of which are in solid shape. MG's T-series
was designed with an exhilarating, but no frills, open air driving
experience in mind and the earliest representatives offered only
slight protection from the elements, but by the time this TD rolled
out, things had evolved considerably and you'll notice that the
convertible top assembly on hand here more closely resembles those
that would follow and fits snugly while offering side windows for
improved visibility - though the tan fabric it currently sports
will require some attention. Despite its more than six decades of
service, its body alignment remains a strong suit - its doors close
well and fit snugly, as does its hood, which we'll refer to as a
"bonnet" in this case.
The interior has been both skillfully refurbished and
well-maintained. The vintage seating accommodations split the
difference between bench and bucket with one continuous seat back
and individual cushions separated by the gear shift lever and
parking brake. Its red vinyl cover is in impressive condition,
sporting a nice tuck and roll pattern that shows no marked creases
or other signs of wear. The door panels to each side show great
craftsmanship and the sturdy stitching at the center of their
storage pockets likely looks just as it did when this classic
rolled off the line. The carpet underneath isn't clinging to the
floor as it once did, but it's not marred by any glaring
discoloration or tears so it's perfectly presentable in its current
state. Beyond the wood grain steering wheel, the dash area really
looks great. The array of gauges it carries feature very
distinctive, silver-tinged faces and are protected by crystal clear
lenses.
The 1250 cc engine sitting up front sports a pair of side draft
carburetors to extract maximum performance out of its modest
displacement and is in very good form, starting up promptly and
running with surprising smoothness. It's been well maintained over
the years - the records are on hand to attest to it - so the
powerplant is well-positioned to provide many future miles of
exhilarating driving. The TD features a substantially larger fuel
tank than many of its predecessors, equipping it with a range that
makes it well-suited for weekend getaways or other lengthy
excursions, and its relatively wide track equips it with solid road
hugging ability around corners. The view from below reveals an
undercarriage that would be considered very solid by any measure.
This very fetching British classic rolls on a set 15" stock MG
wheels outfitted with Nexen tires.
This 1952 MG TD not only represents a significant piece of
automotive history, but it's an ultra-fun, open air ride in its own
right. Call today!