Vehicle Description
1951 MG TD Roadster
The common belief is that the name "M.G." stands for "Morris
Garages". Whether or not this is true has been the subject of much
debate over the years. While it is much easier to simply accept the
most visually obvious answer to the issue, there is substantial
evidence that it is not true. The other side of the argument states
that M.G. stands for itself and is not an abbreviation, but rather
a name in itself. Evidence for this argument is on the vehicle
maker's plate which always state the full name of the company who
built it. On every M.G. made, it states "The M.G. Car Company",
never "The Morris Garages Car Company". Even looking back to the
earliest days of M.G., one cannot find Morris Garages listed on any
company letterhead or even in the very first M.G. Magazine of
1933.
For consignment a 1951 version of the TD. A good handling, fender
and running board design, tall front grille and large open
headlights, sums up the cosmetic part. As for the engine, 4
cylinders fire away inside an excellent restored engine
compartment. The sound of this car can only be described as music
to the British sports car enthusiast's ears.
Exterior
The beneficiary of a 2003 restoration which included a work over of
the engine, buttoning up the interior, and new paint for the time.
Deep Red in beautiful condition covers the exterior surfaces of
this car. Pre pony car, the long tall bonnet, vertical grille,
radiator topper, and open headlights make up the front of the car,
and a very short rear swoops toward the ground. The rear houses the
12-gallon fuel tank, and a spare tire. "Suicide" doors allow entry
into the passenger compartment and are adorned with near perfect
chromed handles and latches. Front and rear fenders are held
together by a running board. Chrome bumpers, windshield surround,
and radiator trim are in good shiny condition. Gray drilled steel
wheels capped with MG badged dog dish covers are noted on all 4
corners. Also, a shout out to the side wind wings that hang off of
either side of the flat windshield.
Interior
Black interior leather semi-bucket seats stretch the width of the
cockpit. The handbrake nests between the two seats. A double
swooping dash covered in mahogany veneer houses the glovebox,
ignition, choke, starter, and various warning lights. These rest in
a centered shield shaped tan trimmed in chrome gauge and light
cluster. Behind the large tan banjo steering wheel, are a beautiful
white faced speedometer and a tachometer with an inset clock. These
emit a soothing warm tungsten lit glow at night. Black carpeting
covers the floor and the rear baggage compartment and is in very
nice condition. The frame for the convertible top is present, and a
very nice black canvas is over this frame.
Drivetrain
A pristinely restored 4-cylinder 1250cc engine with dual SU
Carburetors and an oil bath air cleaner is seen inside a super
clean engine compartment. An 8" clutch with a 4-speed manual
transmission that shifts like a dream is attached to the back.
Hoses are supple and shiny, and engine block is a nicely painted
teal green.
Undercarriage
A view of the underside of this car reveals a really nice
restoration, nearly perfect with all looking virtually new with no
rust. 4-wheel drum brakes are present, and all in working
condition. Even body hangers and floorboards underneath are very
nicely preserved, and present in a contrasting to the black red
paint.
Drive-Ability
Its British so of course I shoehorned myself behind the large banjo
style wheel, flipped 15 switches(sic) 2 knobs and pulled the choke
and it fired right up for me. A smooth idler, it drives very
easily, with short throw shifting, good handling, and smooth
cruising. Visibility was just a bit sketchy due to driver position
and that long hood, but one can easily become accustomed to driving
this classic.
A top-notch restoration was done in 2003, there are a few faults in
the paint and body, but a fine runner, and cracking good looking to
boot! All the way from 1951 with no rust...nice.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 500 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.