Vehicle Description
1952 MG TD Roadster
In the early 1950's MG decided to go after the American market and
did so with full on assault of the MD TD. With its rag top, a more
powerful engine, shorter in length, and sports car handling, one
could drive like Sterling Moss, and not get a speeding ticket...now
there is definitely something to be said for that!
For consignment, a nicely restored example finished off prior to
the turn of the 21st century, we have an example that is correct
with some new parts and a 12 volt upgrade to make it much more
reliable. Convertible top, side curtains, straight rust-free steel,
and Woodland Green, hop in and go for a quick tool in this 1 of 100
exported left hand drive cars.
Exterior
A black vertical louvered ribbed grille leads the way on this car
and is sitting behind a rounded shiny front bumper with dual
vertical posts just for better pushing. Blingy chromed rounded
headlights hang off either side of the radiator surround, and just
next to these begin the fenders which curve around the front
wheels, move to the running board and again with the up and down
undulation of the rear fenders. All steel bodywork is bathed in
Woodland Green and is showing as nearly perfect with only a few
touch ups, chips and inclusions. Upfront, a cowled hood with some
vertical air venting in the sides makes its way on its long trip
back to the windshield which is trimmed with more nice chrome, and
can fold down if you want. An intact but slightly soiled and faded
black canvas top complete with a set of side curtains, snaps nearly
perfectly to either side and the low swooping suicide hinged doors.
The plastic for the windows has yellowed over time, but fits the
vintage bill and looks a little crumpled but it just needs to be
stretched out. On the back is the spare tire, the fuel tank and a
rear curved bumper stretching from fender to fender. Steel drilled
wheels bathed in silver have a dog dish style center hub cover with
the octagonal MG badge. Black walls are on all 4 corners as well as
the spare on the back.
Interior
A swing of the front handled rear hinged low-slung doors, and we
are greeted with a bit of unexpected niceties in biscuit tan
leather tuck and roll bench seat with a solid bench back, and a
split in the seats for the handbrake. Even the threshold has an MG
Car Company Ltd. badge. An eyebrow curved dash, draped in biscuit
leather, sports a center cluster of gauges which pepper the curved
panel and some large white-faced gauges with shiny bezels and clear
glass in front of the left hand drive steering wheel. This steering
wheel is a banjo styled center 3 spoke design. Deep biscuit leather
covers the simple small doors, and each offers up some pouch
storage and the chromed actuators. Clean black carpeting floods the
floors and is protected by MG embroidered mats.
Drivetrain
A flip of the side cowl on the hood reveals a restored 4-cylinder
red painted engine block in 1250cc configuration. A natural finish
valve cover is atop, and this mill is fed by 2 carburetors which
are SU H2 semi downdraft style that have recently been rebuilt.
There is a 4-speed manual transmission attached to the back and a
5.125 rear axle way in back. The engine bay shows some aging and
patina but overall remains very clean. Our consignor notes that a
new water pump and starter were both installed this year as
well.
Undercarriage
Floor pans and framing is mostly rust free with a light coating of
surface rust on some of the suspension and the underside of the
running boards are just scratched from road rash. For the
suspension, independent coil springs are up front, and leaf springs
for the back. Drum brakes are on each corner with recently rebuilt
wheel cylinders.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and after a nice warmup it ran incredibly smoothly
and has great snappy pickup. It handled well and just the open road
feel of this car is worth the price of admission with all items
working as they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that
these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we
cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of
your purchase.
With the showing of some aging and a few encounters with the
outside world, this car is not perfect, but still retains most of
this shine and it runs great. A few faults in the interior around
the dash instruments and a patina engine, we are firmly in very
good condition overall. Spit spot and all that good rot!
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.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
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
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
