Lot Ended
Description
In single-family ownership from new; only 37,900 miles indicated;
recent unleaded engine rebuild; nice original number plate; offered for sale on
behalf of a Charitable Trust
Introduced in
1949, the MG TD looked broadly similar to its TC predecessor but brought
significant mechanical upgrades beneath its traditional, sweeping coachwork. The
biggest leap forward was the chassis and suspension. MG binned the harsh old
leaf springs for independent front suspension and a precise rack-and-pinion
steering system borrowed from the MG Y-Type saloon. Combined with smaller
15-inch steel disc wheels, the TD offered a smoother and more predictable ride,
making it a joy on twisty backroads.
Power came
from the tried and trusted 1,250cc XPAG inline-four engine, pushing out about
54bhp. It was never a rocket ship (top speed hovered just under 80mph) but its
lightweight design made it feel nimble and spirited. By the time production
ended in 1953, MG had built nearly 30,000 TDs, the vast majority exported to the
United States, with only 1,656 sold in RHD for the UK
market.
This particular MG TD is one of those
rare UK cars and has been in single-family ownership from new. The original
purchase invoice shows that it was acquired from Yapp’s Garage of Cardiff in
November 1951 for the princely sum of £739 including £262 purchase tax, £4
delivery from Abingdon to Cardiff and £2 for the ACE number plates.
A professional mechanic who owned his own garage
in Cardiff, the owner used the car lightly over the next 30-odd years, an old
MOT showing that it had covered 35,782 miles by July 1985. Shortly after this,
it was parked up at the back of the garage where it was to remain for the next
25 years.
By 2011 the original owner had passed
away and the MG was put into the ownership of a Charitable Trust administered by
the family. They organised getting the car recommissioned and it flew
through an MOT in March of that year with no advisories, the odometer recording
35,835 miles.
An invoice shows that the engine
was fully rebuilt by Anderson Racing Engines of Timsbury in November 2020, with
new pistons, bearings, conversion to unleaded fuel and rebuilt carbs at a cost
of over £6,700. We are told by the family that a new dynamo was
also fitted in 2025.
Very lightly used in recent years, the car now
shows 37,939 miles which is said to be correct. The V5C
records four former keepers, all from the same extended family.
As you can see in the photos, this MG is in good
shape for a 75-year-old and has been starting promptly and running well as we
have moved it around on site, with healthy 45psi oil pressure. The icing on the
cake is the original Cardiff-issue number plate, GBO 383, which is transferable
according to the V5C and doubtless has a value of its own.
Coming from the same home
as the previous Lot in this auction (Lot 2 MG TC), this TD is on offer here at a
modest guide price and the proceeds of the sale will be used for charitable
purposes.
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907 –
james.dennison@brightwells.com