Lot Ended
Description
1953 MG TD MkII
Original UK car that has spent
its whole life in the local area; current owner 16 years; well maintained and in
regular use; recent new sidescreens and top end overhaul; charmingly original;
ready to enjoy
The T-Series
Midget had kept MG buoyant for many years but after the post-war introduction of
the TC, a warmed-over pre-war design, MG realised that they needed to come up
with something new to bolster flagging US sales, hence the TD of
1949.
Based on a stiffer chassis borrowed from
the Y-Type saloon, complete with independent front suspension, rack-and-pinion
steering and Easyclean steel wheels, it also boasted a hypoid-bevel back axle,
hidden scuttle reinforcement hoop and twin leading-shoe front brakes.
In 1951 a Mk II TD entered production and
introduced a more powerful (60bhp) engine, which offered 82mph performance.
Great fun to drive, the MG TD had a quirky mixture of a vintage body and 50s
styling cues and sold extremely well until it was replaced in 1953 by the MG TF.
All but 1,656 of the 30,000 made went for export, the vast majority to
America.
First registered in Herefordshire in
April 1953, this UK market TD MkII had moved to Worcestershire by 1961 and has
spent its entire life in the local area, seven previous owners being named
in the buff logbook and an old V5 on file. Our vendor acquired
the car in 2006 and has used it regularly in the summer months, covering some
6,000 miles over this period.
Shortly after
buying the car, he treated it to a new set of sidescreens and fixings which cost
£550. The canvas hood is much older (perhaps original?) but remains admirably
snug and weather-proof. In following years, it has had new tyres, new windscreen
rubbers, new Armstrong front shock absorbers, a new control box, a top end
overhaul plus various other jobs to keep it in tip-top running order. We are
told that it drives beautifully, has always proved very reliable and uses no oil
or water.
Appearing to be in largely original
condition with lots of patina, we are told that it is rock solid structurally
and this certainly seems to be the case, the doors fitting nicely with no
discernible signs of play. It has been starting promptly and running well as we
have moved it around on site, with good 60psi oil pressure.
On offer here at a modest guide price, this charming TD is ready
for a new owner to enjoy and could be smartened up over time as desired. But why
would you? They are only original once and it would be a shame to lose all that
patina!
For more information contact James
on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com
* All charges are subject to VAT