For Sale: 1946 MG TC in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1946 MG TC Roadster

The early MG roadsters were the quintessential British sports cars and were "discovered" by our servicemen fighting in Europe during World War II. There was nothing like it in the states and once discovered, soldiers were determined to get the cars stateside. By the time the post war TC was being produced, the U.S. appetite was big enough to start exporting the model, which was produced from 1945 to 1949. About 2,000 of the 10,000 TC's produced were shipped to the United States and the rest, as they say, is history!

For consignment, a 1946 MG TC roadster showing 8,682 miles, but the true miles are unknown due to a PA title exemption. This example received a ground up restoration in 1982 and has been garage kept in a climate controlled environment ever since.

Exterior
A particular air of class and quality is relayed by the Black paint that covers this car and we pick up some color in the array of bedazzling badges and emblems from various clubs and affiliations perched on the front bar. A chariot like profile has the cab set far back, almost to the rear axle and behind a long front end which will not be confused with very many cars. The low door is almost a mere suggestion of a door which opens in reverse and allows easy access to the interior. 19-inch wire wheels are less than five inches wide and provide some ground clearance for this low sports car, plus there's a pair of spares on the back. Beginning back at the grille, the chrome shell is in fantastic condition as is the brightwork to include the marker lights on the fender, the headlight barrels, wheels, and the windscreen reveal. A tan canvas top is fully retractable and shows age with staining and some tears. Other imperfections include chips, inclusions, bubbling, crazing and cracking paint, spider cracks, rock spray, and areas of rough surface. Despite the aging restoration, the body is straight.

Interior
A storage pocket is included on the Vellum leather panels that cover the inner doors and is a nice contrast to the black exterior. A split bench seat in the same beige leather is simple and stitched and the seats are intersected by the transmission tunnel, while a small storage area exists behind the seats. Overall in very good condition, the leather shows some creasing and age, appropriate patina we consider 100% presentable. The wood rimmed 4 spoke steering wheel is on the right side, which we call the wrong side, but is the proper British side. Behind it, a curvaceous dashboard made of real wood and housing gauges, knobs, and switches in a logical arrangement that puts the tachometer front and center and speedometer in front of the navigator. Rising from the transmission hump is the straight shifter cradled in a black leather boot over a medium pile black carpet that covers the floor and presents in nice condition.

Drivetrain
Behind the engine cover we find a driver quality 1250cc inline 4 cylinder engine rated at 54.5 horsepower. It is fed fuel by two SU carburetors and tied to a 4-speed manual transmission that sends power to the rear axle with 5.125 gearing.

Undercarriage
Simplicity is the name of the game underneath where we find a very clean undercarriage. We note some typical surface rust but a solid, dry underside. A single exhaust runs from the engine to a stainless steel muffler, then exits out the back through a tailpipe. The simple suspension consists of leaf springs front and rear and drum brakes are found at all four wheels.

Drive-Ability
A quick prime of the carbs and the car bubbled to life with that skinny exhaust sound so characteristically British. Off we go onto the loop and this spry little car was built to go! Shifts are short and crisp, and the drivetrain is eager, while the drum brakes work with the gearing to slow the car down. Visibility with the top up is challenging directly behind you, but the door is so low, simply employing a quick look back works just fine and with the top down, the sky's the limit for visibility. All functions in this classic except the clock work. 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.

This is not just a piece of British motoring, it's a piece of automotive history. If not for these early MG's we might not have developed our own American brands of sports cars and roadsters, think Corvette. War is ugly, but one positive legacy of WWII was the exposure of Americans to foreign cars which have merits of their own and ended up creating clubs and racing and careers right here in the good old U.S. of A.!

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. All prices are before state, city and county tax, tag, title and license fees. Out of state buyers are responsible for all state, county, city taxes and fees, as well as title/registration fees in the state that the vehicle will be registered. Classic Auto Mall is not responsible for errors and omissions. Please verify listings with dealer. Vehicles may require VIN verification and/or safety and emissions inspections to transfer ownership and register the vehicle in the declared state of residence. Please check with your local DMV office to ensure compliance with your states titling and registration process.

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