Deep Paint/Well Minded Gaps/1250CC Engine/Green Leather/Nicely Done

1953 MG TD Roadster

In 1949 a small group of MG leaders, headed by John Thornley, got together to try to create a car that was acceptable to the North American marketplace while at the same time would limit the investment of the Nuffield Organization. Clearly it would be impossible to completely create a new car, not only from a financial point but from a timing standpoint as well. What was needed was a little of the old, sprinkled with a little of the new. Another key factor was to borrow or incorporate features found in other Nuffield cars of the time that were more up to date than the MG TC.

For consignment, a beautifully resorted example finished off in the early part of the turn of the 21st century, we have an example that is excellent. All correct, side curtains, nice convertible, straight rust-free steel, and wonderfully tasteful colors accenting a black exterior, and 1953 never looked so good!

Exterior
A green vertical ribbed grille leads the way on this car and is sitting behind a rounded shiny front bumper with dual vertical posts just for better pushing. Shiny rounded headlights hang off either side of the radiator surround, and just next to these begins the fenders which curve around the front wheels, move to the running board and again with the up and down undulation of the rear fenders. All steel bodywork is bathed in black and is the deep end of the pool as to paint quality. Upfront a cowled hood with some vertical air venting makes its way on its long trip back to the windshield which is trimmed with more nice chrome. A beautifully preserved tan canvas top complete with a set of side curtains, snaps nearly perfectly to either side and the low swooping suicide hinged doors. Plastic for the windows has yellowed over time but fits the vintage bill and looks very nice and clear. On back is the spare tire, the fuel tank and a rear curved bumper stretching from fender to fender. Perfectly restored steel drilled wheels bathed in silver have deep dish trim rings around the outside and a dog dish style center hub cover with the octagonal MG badge in red. Wide whites are on all 4 corners as well as the spare on back.

Interior
A swing of the front handled rear hinged low-slung doors, and we are greeted with a bit of unexpected niceties in green leather tuck and roll bucket seats with a solid bench back, and a split in the seats for the handbrake. Even the threshold has an MG Car Company Ltd. badge. An eyebrow curved dash, also draped in green sports a center cluster of gauges which pepper a wood veneer curved panel. and some large white-faced gauges with shiny bezels and clear glass in front of the left hand drive steering wheel. This steering wheel is white bakelite with a ban styled center 3 spoke design. Deep green leather covers the simple small doors, and each offers up some pouch storage and the chromed actuators. Deep green carpeting floods the floppers and a rear behind the bench-back storage area.

Drivetrain
A flip of the side cowl on the hood reveals a nicely restored 4-cylinder red painted engine block in 1250cc configuration. A shiny silver valve cover is atop, and this mill is fed by 2 Su's which are SU H2 semi downdraft carburetors. There is a 4-speed manual transmission attached to the back and a 5.125 rear axle way in back. Engine bay is very well done just like the remainder of this car.

Undercarriage
All rust free, straight structural steel is underneath, and makes up a clean undercarriage. Floorpans are the correct wooden style, and side rockers and undersides of running boards are nearly like new. For the suspension, independent coil springs are up front, and leaf springs for the back. Drum brakes are on each corner.

Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and after a nice warmup it ran incredibly smoothly and has great snappy pickup. It handles well and just the open road feel of this car is worth the price of admission. I noticed the tachometer is inoperable.

With plenty of receipts for the restoration job from the not-too-distant past, this car presents in excellent condition. It has a beautiful look with the black paint, and tan canvas top with the brutish green leather interior. Mechanically it is sound, and we are talking about a Brit from 1953, showroom condition and priced very fair for today's market.

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.