1954 MG TF 1500

Destined for North America, this MG TF 1500 was first despatched to the states on 13 September 1954, finished at the time in a colour combination of black bodywork over a red interior, with a biscuit hood. Naturally, it was also left-hand-drive for its intended market, and fitted with the classic wire wheels.

The vehicle then spent the majority of its lifetime in the states, before being repatriated to the UK during January 1991, and first registered on British roads in September 1994, having undergone an extensive restoration between 91 and 94, including the conversion to right-hand-drive and the re-spray into the current Almond Green Pearlescent paintwork, with a tan leather interior.

In 2002, the original four-speed gearbox was removed and replaced with an upgraded five-speed (Ford Type 9) gearbox, along with a full engine overhaul being carried out, with the following work taking place:

- Engine rebuild

- Re-bore of cylinders

- Fitment of a new cylinder head, valves and guides enabling the use of standard unleaded petrol

- New water pump and fuel pump

- New distributor

- Fitment of a new Kenlowe electric fan

The engine was then rebuilt again in 2009 along with refurbishment of the starter motor and dynamo, whilst a new fuel pump and brake master cylinder were fitted 2015.

Alongside the mechanical fettling, a full set of custom-made Ash wood door pillars were fitted in 2015, along with a slightly smaller Bluemells Brooklands steering wheel. Should this not be to your liking, the original steering wheel is included with the sale of the vehicle.

In the years since, a new set of rear shock absorbers were fitted, and a full service and tune-up carried out in the last two years, along with a full fluid and filter change in 2021.

Whilst in the care of the current owner, the vehicle has never seen salted roads, and has been kept in a dehumidified garage to preserve its condition. That’s not to say it hasn’t been used, however, as it made the journey to the Beaulieu Parc & Picnic event in summer 2020, and the vendor reports that thanks to its five-speed gearbox, motorway speeds of 70mph are perfectly attainable, with the engine cruising along happily at just 3,500 rpm.

Resplendent in its Almond Green paintwork over a tan interior and hood, it’s hard to believe that this MG TF was ever out-shopped in any other combination, so well suited is its current appearance.

It would certainly appear that this example has been well-loved and cherished throughout its lifetime, though there is also plenty of evidence of use and enjoyment, as there should be on a car of this era and mileage.

The paintwork is, on the whole, in good order, wearing only a few typical usage marks and wear signs, along with some more noticeable scratches on the front cowl and a patch of bubbling noted underneath the chrome trim line on the offside bonnet panel. There also appears to be a small paint run behind the NSF headlight, as seen on slide 88 in the gallery below.

Looking along the flanks, the bodywork looks to be free of any damage or indentations, though the doors may benefit from some slight alignment adjustment, typical on a vehicle of this era. All of the chrome details, badges and trims are present and correct as far as we can tell, and are in very good shape with only light commensurate patina noted.

Crucially, the light lenses - including the bumper-mounted auxiliary lights - are free of any damage or cracking, and the lights present in excellent condition.

Up above, the folding roof is said to be waterproof and in full working order, and wears some moderate marks and stains obtained through years of use and enjoyment. A deep clean and valet would likely go a long way to remedying these imperfections, but there is no reason the roof couldn’t be used as-is, along with the included clip-on side windows.

Finally, the characteristic wire wheels are in good condition, wearing some light pitting and patina as we’d expect to see.

With its tan leather interior, this TF 1500 is every inch the distinguished British sports car, and the cabin presents very well indeed, though there is plenty of evidence of years of enjoyment by both the driver and passenger of this well-heeled British classic.

The leather seats, for example, are free of any damage or major wear, though the leather is slightly sagged and wears some charming creases and patina. The carpets, too, are in very good order, with no major wear or heavy staining noted.

Up ahead, the dashboard with its unusual but attractive octagonal gauge surrounds presents fantastically, with some light patina and marks, but the kind that adds character to a vehicle rather than detracting from its condition. The glass on the Jaeger gauges is free of damage - always a good sign of caring owners.

The vendor does note that the odometer does not work correctly, though the trip counter and speedometer are both in full working order, along with the rest of the systems and switches.

Elsewhere, the period-correct Bluemell steering wheel is in excellent condition, although the owner also has the original steering wheel which will be available too. The high-traffic areas such as the inner door sill covers, door cards and shifter present well with only light commensurate wear noted.

Opening the side-accessed engine bay, the 1500cc XPEG engine presents in very good order as far as we can see, with no signs of any leaks or missing around the valve cover, and plenty of evidence of care and attention in recent years.

According to the vendor, the car is in rude mechanical health, and benefits from recent servicing and a thorough ‘tune up’ in recent years to ensure its continued health and enjoyment.

It should also be noted that in the history folder - more on that in a moment - there is some paperwork detailing a compression test, which found the overall compression to be lower than expected. The vendor explains that this was carried out following a long period of storage, and in years since the car has been used and enjoyed more regularly, the vendor has had a subsequent test carried out, with compression across all four cylinders noted to be well within spec and equal across the board.

Naturally, this MG TF 1500 is exempt from mandatory MoT testing on account of its age, though there was an exam carried out in February 2020, which showed a first-time pass with an advisory only for some light play in the NSF king-pin.

Included with the vehicle is over 20 years of history, detailing the work carried out and parts fitted during the restoration in the 1990s, along with paperwork detailing recent servicing, tune-ups and various miscellaneous purchases along the way.

Whilst - as always - everything has been photographed and is available to view in the gallery below, highlights of the documentation included with the vehicle include the following:

- The V5, showing six former keepers

- The all-important heritage certificate, confirming its original specification and NA destination

- Restoration photographs from the 1990s

- An invoice for extensive bodywork during 2016, including new front wings, n/s sill and n/s door

- Numerous manuals, books and historic MoT certificates and tax discs.

Arguably the pinnacle of the MG T-Series family of cars, the 1500 TF is a rare sight and is every inch the thoroughbred British classic, which was well-loved on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

This particular 1954-registered example benefits from an older, but very comprehensive, restoration during the 1990s, and has been maintained in the years since regardless of cost by specialists, ensuring it remained in excellent condition.

Ready to simply jump in and enjoy and remaining eminently useable thanks to numerous considerate upgrades - such as an electric fan - and regular tune-ups, this is a fantastically useable example of the breed, and we estimate a value in the region of £20,000 to £25,000 when the hammer falls.

Viewing is always encouraged. This particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays between 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.