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 bright red 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,
the fiberglass body is very cleanly rendered, with paint that's
been touched up over the years but could use a professional buff to
really shine again. They nailed the details, 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 nicer
than the MG piece, and it includes handsome "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 little faded and worn, but the door panels with
their built-in map pockets get the look exactly right. There is no
heater, but you didn't get one of those in your MG, either, so it's
perfectly in line with this car's target audience, although it does
have an AM/FM/cassette radio. Nice! Overhead, you get a rudimentary
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 open up the
"trunk" in back and you'll find a 1600 cc Volkswagen Beetle
flat-four. Purists may scoff, but it's a neat fit and there are all
kinds of hop-up parts, just as there were with the original MG. The
engine is a great runner and has great enthusiasm, particularly
with the featherweight body, and the custom exhaust system does its
best to disguise the engine's origins. It's pretty stock, which
ensures bulletproof reliability, and all the original VW ancillary
components, including the generator and fan unit, made the
transition intact, so it's easy to maintain. The 4-speed manual
transmission still has that vague VW feeling, there's just no way
around that, but the ratios are well-spaced and keep the engine at
its best. The good news is that you get a VW suspension that's a
bit more competent than the original MG's, as well as a set of
fairly fat set of Firestone radials to give it a bit more grip.
It's definitely fun to drive!
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!