1952 MG TD Roadster, Recent frame-off restoration, 1.3L, 4-spd

1952 MG TD Roadster Description

1952 MG TD Roadster

Recent frame-off restoration on a nice dry original car MG Red Exterior with a red interior Original 1250cc 4 cylinder (XPAG-TD2-18494) Twin SU carburetors Four-speed manual transmission Road Lights (foglights) Rear-mounted spare tire Undercarriage is very nice

The quintessential sports car - what is your definition? Here at MotoeXotica Classic Cars, we have one of ours, a 1952 MG TD Roadster that had a recent extensive frame off restoration and everything was dismantled and painted correctly. The MG at the time just before restoration was a very nice dry original car and the original red interior was still in nice shape so it was placed back in the car during restoration reassembly.

Dressed in MG Red, this two-seater's paint and trim are in overall excellent order. The fold-flat windshield is clear and intact and the lights are haze-free, including the road lights perched atop the front bumper. This car rolls on Firestone tires, size 5.60-15 at all four corners and a rear mounted spare. Each tire wraps around vented steel wheels with caps.

This MG's bodywork is solid and stable although the foldable roof shows minor wear and evidence of previous repairs. The engine bay is tidy and the bumpers are in very good order.

Under the bonnet is the original 1250cc 4 cylinder (XPAG-TD2-18494) four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed manual transmission.

Inside, the original red bucket seats are in very good condition and look supple, however there is a blemish at the left bottom of the driver's seat back. The black carpet is in good shape while the red instrument panel matches the rest of the upholstery nicely. The three-spoke wood steering wheel is in very good shape. The roadster's inner door panels are also in very good shape. The mirror glass and gearshift lever, with its wooden handle, are in good order. Behind the seats is a small storage area. There is no radio in this vehicle.

The 1950 TD Midget combined the TC's drivetrain, a modified hypoid-geared rear axle, the MG Y-type chassis, a familiar T-type style body and independent suspension using coil springs from the MG Y-type saloon: a 1950 road-test report described as "most striking" the resulting "transformation ... in the comfort of riding." The reference cited here was incorrect to infer the entire drivetrain was lifted from the TC, as along with the differential, a completely different transmission was used (albeit also a four-speed). Also lifted from the company's successful 1¼-litre saloon was the (still highly geared) rack-and-pinion steering. In addition, the TD featured smaller 15-inch disc type road wheels, a left-hand drive option and standard equipment bumpers and over-riders. The car was also five inches wider with a track of 50 inches. At the time, enthusiasts saw it as a disappointment - mild and "not a sports car.”

For the driver the "all-weather protection" was good by the standards of the time. For night driving, instrument illumination was "effective but not dazzling, by a pale green lighting effect." There was still no fuel gauge, but a 15 US gallon tank capacity gave a range of about 300 miles and a green light on the dash flashed a "warning" when the fuel level dropped to less than three US gallons.

Nearly 30,000 TDs had been produced, including about 1700 Mk II models, when the series ended in 1953 with all but 1656 exported, 23,488 of them to the US alone.

An example tested by The Motor magazine in 1952 had a top speed of 77 mph and could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 18.2 seconds. A fuel consumption of 22.2 miles per gallon (US) was recorded.

Competition to this MG in 1952 included Austin's A40, Crosley's Super Sport and Porsche's 356 1300 Cabriolet.

This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 53,177 miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!

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VIN: TD18121

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