Vehicle Description
1952 MG TD Roadster
MG TDs have been owned and raced by some big names. JFK and Jackie
drove one on their honeymoon. Marilyn Monroe and Cary Grant drove
one in the film Monkey Business. Elvis was photographed driving
one. Ronald Reagan was in the passenger seat in the film Tropic
Zone. James Dean famously owned one and it was also the car of
choice for road racing in the 1950's and one of the pioneers was
southeast PA legend, Bob Holbert, who also sold and serviced MG's
in one of the first type shops in the country.
For consignment, a 1952 MG TD roadster with a title verified 48,588
actual miles and with a long list of upgraded items, new electrical
components, and a new top. Our consignor confidently states the car
can go anywhere and proved it with runs to Kentucky and Atlantic
City.
Exterior
Looking good in just about any color, this Cream TD is a feast for
the eyes. The front chrome accoutrements are like a royal crown
that cap the front end with a grille surround, headlight and rally
light housing, and the bumper with its bumper guards. TD profiles
are special with elongated front fenders that swoop to meet a short
running board which then blends with the vertical rise of the rear
articulated fender while the door slopes downward on the reverse
hinge side. Hubcaps center the color keyed wheels, including the
rear mounted spare which is gated by the pull down luggage rack.
Small marker lights mounted like little torpedoes on the fender and
is included in the consignor's statement that lighting has been
converted to LED. The canvas top is new and is in excellent
condition, black in color and containing a plastic rear window and
comes with a new tonneau. The stunning little car is not without a
few imperfections including some paint chips around wheel openings
and a seam, cracking paint, cracks and rust on the passenger's
running board, and some mud repair that could use a redo on.
Interior
Literal wood panels make up the door panels, with a cutout section
for storage. The bench seat, split on the bottom to make room for
the transmission hump, is tuck and roll style in red leather in
good condition. An updated 3 spoke wood rimmed steering wheel
fronts a new wood dashboard that houses the factory speedometer and
tachometer in front of the driver, while an aluminum plate houses
vintage dressed Autometer gauges, the ignition, and various
switches and levers. A few dash plaques are applied to the wood
glove box and the MG passenger handle is securely attached. It's
all very clean and tidy and, as noted, capable. A billet shifter is
floor mounted and surrounded by low pile black carpet that shows a
bit of usage.
Drivetrain
Clean and driver quality conditions are found as we lift the side
engine cover. Here we find the 1250cc inline 4 cylinder power plant
rated at 54 horsepower and fueled by a pair of SU carburetors which
have recently been rebuilt. A 4-speed manual transmission sends
power, in true sports car configuration, to the rear wheels and
5.125 gears. Drum brakes are equipped in the front and back. Our
consignor states alternator, relays, fuses, and gauges are newer;
the ignition is by Advance Distributor.
Undercarriage
Generally driver quality underneath with some minor surface rust in
spots. The single exhaust flows back to a glasspack style muffler,
then out beyond the back bumper with a chrome deflector. Some
residual oil on the rear differential, but not an active leak. Coil
spring suspension occupies the independent system up front while
leaf springs suspend the back.
Drive-Ability
I may never be as cool as Elvis or James Dean, but this car tries
its best to make you feel cool, and succeeds! The low door, low
driving position, and long nose of these MG's really does create an
enjoyable ride. This one runs well, handles great, and stops very
well. It's no wonder guys thought this would make a great road
racing car! Everything functions and this car is ready to hit the
road!
Hollywood legends aside, MG TDs are historical automobiles and in
many ways, the predecessor to all modern true sportscars. There
were plenty of coupes racing back in the day and even a few
spiders. But the balanced little TD's were often the gateway cars
for many early hobby and professional racers. Here's one for
cruising and enjoying, a well sorted 1952 that is bound to deliver
smiles and good times for the foreseeable future.
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
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