Vehicle Description
It's easy to understand why they built this handsome 1952 MG TD
replica: it looks great! Originals were frequently neglected and
abused, never mind their legendary finicky nature, so it was
probably a smart idea to recreate the look in fiberglass and put
reliable running gear underneath. Traditional British fun without
the downside, what could be better?
This cream white TD has the right look, from the flowing fenders to
the cut-down doors to the rear-mounted spare tire, it's going to
fool a lot of people. Unlike a lot of replicas, this one nails the
correct proportions and doesn't have that home-made look. Instead,
it's nicely finished and very cleanly rendered, with nice paint
that's been touched up over the years but still has a nice shine.
They nailed the details, too, with a nicely shaped grille, bucket
headlights, and running lights atop the front fenders, and you'll
love the raked-back windshield. Simple bumpers, unique
British-looking taillights, and the high-mounted license plate
bracket all contribute to the old world vibe this car gives off,
which is entirely the point. It's not perfect and it's probably
ready to be called an antique in its own right, but for the price,
you probably can't get more 2-seat fun.
The minimalist interior does a good impersonation of the original
TD as well, starting with the seat. It's not quite buckets, and
it's not quite a bench, instead it splits the lower cushion and
puts the parking brake in the middle, which is exactly how the guys
at MG were doing it, too. The wooden dashboard is probably far
nicer than the MG piece, and it includes nice-looking vintage
gauges that seem suitably British, too. The fat wood-rimmed
steering wheel and modern steering column might give it away, but
it feels right when you're hustling down the road in this open
two-seater. Carpets on the floor are a bit plusher than the British
were installing in their open cars but the door panels with their
built-in map pockets get the look exactly right. There is no
heater, no radio, but you didn't get those in your MG, either, so
it's perfectly in line with this car's target audience. Overhead,
you get a folding convertible top that's in good order with a few
older repairs, and quite honestly, it probably works about as well
as the MG's original top, too: for emergency use only!
There's some speculation about the powerplant, but rest assured
it's not some VW Beetle concoction. No, the engine is up front
where it belongs, and it sure looks like a 2.3 liter 4-cylinder,
which was a popular engine for these types of builds back in the
70s and 80s. It's a tidy installation, with good service access and
decent workmanship throughout. There's an upgraded carburetor, a
powerful alternator, and tidy wiring, all of which suggest this was
a car built to drive, and we have to admit that it has a nice
little bark when you turn the key and fire it up. It's backed by a
proper manual gearbox, while the front suspension offers
rack-and-pinion steering and a rather sophisticated multi-link
setup lives out back. The exhaust has a grumble that wouldn't be
out of place on a real TD and we'll admit that those fat whitewall
radials are a lot grippier than the MG's skinny bias-plys.
Not a show car, not a car for fooling MG purists, but if you like
the look and the open-air experience, and don't mind having a
little extra horsepower and fewer headaches, then this MG TD
replica might be a smart choice. Call today!