Beautiful frame-off restoration to a very high level. Totally
sorted and ready to drive or show. Full weather equipment. Runs and
drives beautifully, fantastic color combination.
This particular 1950 MG TD has a look that is instantly
recognizable, and even people who don’t know much about cars seem
to know that this is an MG and that an MG is special. The bright
red paint certainly helps, because, after all, if you’re going to
have a sports car, you may as well go with the high-visibility
color. The show-quality workmanship is visible throughout, with a
deep gloss to the paint, laser-straight sheetmetal that’s probably
better than new, and excellent fit and finish that shows in the way
the doors open and close and how easy the hood is to latch. This
car is nicely dressed with chrome bumpers, accessory wing mirrors,
and a set of driving lights in front of the grille and a pilot
light on the windshield pillar. The chrome was all restored with
the rest of the car and remains in outstanding condition. The only
mark we can find on the car is a small scratch on the right front
fender (or “wing” in the traditional parlance) that has been neatly
touched-up and is almost completely invisible. This might just be
the finest MG TD on the market.
The interior is trimmed in red leather and in the finest English
tradition, it’s fragrant and soft to the touch. Interestingly, MG
used individual lower seat cushions but one single backrest, which
is adjustable for angle, so it’s easy to get comfortable, even for
taller drivers. The hides are supple and smooth with only moderate
comfort marks on the driver’s cushion, and the door panels are
beautifully fitted with built-in map pockets. The steering wheel
was re-cast at the time of restoration and all the gauges were
rebuilt and remain fully functional. You’ll note there is no fuel
gauge, although that green light in the center of the instrument
panel indicates when there are about two gallons left in the tank.
For weather protection, this car has a beautifully fitted tan
canvas convertible top that folds and stows under a matching tan
boot, as well as a full set of side curtains. There is no trunk,
but the area behind the seat is neatly finished with black carpets
and includes the original crank handle clipped to the seat
back.
Mechanically, the TD wasn’t all that different from the TC,
including the gutsy 1250cc inline-four cylinder engine. Fed by a
pair of side-draft carburetors breathing through a single AC oil
bath air cleaner, it’s quite correctly restored and beautifully
detailed, from the MG Maroon paint on the block itself to the soft
gray finish on the tinwork. During the restoration, it was fully
rebuilt to factory specs and thanks to the pros at Black Horse
Garage, it runs superbly. Details like the wiring harness, hoses
and clamps, fuel pump, and fasteners are all correct, and while it
shows a few minor signs of use, it’s still not far from being ready
for the show field.
The 4-speed manual gearbox is probably the one thing that makes
people fall in love with MGs. With light throws, just the right
gear ratios, and a wonderfully precise feel, you’ll find yourself
shifting just for the sheer joy of it. The engine is torquey enough
to pull 4th gear even from very low speeds, but the fun is in
running it through the gears with enthusiasm, letting the engine
sing its surprisingly baritone song through the single tailpipe out
back. The suspension was upgraded on the TD and the rack-and-pinion
steering is a wonderful addition, giving improved precision with
less effort. Brakes are plenty powerful and with the light curb
weight, even those 165SR15 Dunlops on chrome wire wheels are plenty
grippy to be entertaining.
This is unquestionably the finest MG we’ve ever featured and I’ve
not seen many that are better. Fully sorted and reliable, it’s an
excellent car to drive or show at almost any level and the cheerful
look will win it fans everywhere you go. These cars are demonically
expensive to restore properly, so it always makes sense to buy the
best and you’ve just found it. Call today!
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
