1948 MG TC

Exported to the US, chassis TC5194 was purchased new by none other than the first ever American Formula One World Champion, Phil Hill. It has been fitted with a Shorrock supercharger. Multiple sources, including Racing Sports Car Data, confirm that first win at Carrell Speedway.

Hill still owned the car in 1951 but by 1958 it appeared in New Jersey with another race car owned and driven by driver Bob Oberst (known as Little Chief). In 1992 the car passed on to George Cooke of Inglewood, California, then Noel Cobb, before being purchased – alongside two other racing TCs and a two K3 MGs – by Richard Proctor (of Plus4Partnership) in 2010.

“Richard just wanted the K3s, so he gave me first offer on the other cars. They were in a poor state, but he knew what he had found,” explains vendor George Edney. “As I have always had and raced MGs, and I’d been trying to find Phil Hill’s TC for some time, I bought it at considerable cost.”

George recalls its general condition as being ‘fairly poor, but a great project’ and swiftly began the car’s comprehensive restoration. “The cost for all the parts including paint and trim is approximately £32,000, plus 1000 hours of labour at £50 per hour – add to that, the cost of the car.

“It now presents in absolutely A1 condition in all respects and after a post-restoration rolling road tune drives perfectly. It has also had a sports exhaust fitted, so it sounds great!

“I’ve decided to sell the MG as it took longer to build than I first thought and I simply have too many cars, so it would be better for someone else to use it.”

Now retired, George’s background is engineering – mainly fabrication of aircraft parts and some for MGs, as well – and he is well-known in MG circles having won numerous awards for his restorations over the years, so you can be rest assured it has been completed to a stunning standard.

The body underwent a full restoration with some body timbers replaced where necessary. It’s majestically finished in Black and Red with a lovely, immaculate, glass-like paint finish. Panel fit is absolutely spot on and bright work in top condition.

You’ll find a matching spare wheel mounted to the rear of the fuel tank and it too is in concours condition, matching the four others that the car rides upon. All tyres are fresh items.

Without doubt our favourite view of the TC has to be that front profile. It’s a scintillating combination: that famous radiator with its body-coloured slats, headlamps either side, and positive camber stance, all begging you to come aboard and sample it.

“A new hood and side screens in the correct material have also been added,” says the vendor. Light beige in colour they provide a nice contrast to the exterior hues.

Lovely.

The interior has been re-covered in red leather. That means a sea of stunning rouge, with seats and door cards thus finished. New black carpets have been fitted and you won’t find a latch, clip or screw that hasn’t been replaced or restored. Fastidious is our choice of word to describe this cabin, and indeed the rest of the car.

Up front, the wooden dashboard panel has been restored and a new Jaeger speedometer fitted (with the odometer currently showing 00028 miles). All switches and electrics function just as they should.

You will also find a full tool kit stowed discreetly in an engine bay compartment.

“The chassis was very straight with no rust. All the running gear was rebuilt, along with the Shorrock supercharger. The suspension, shocks and steering were all re-bushed. The engine revs freely to 6000rpm and sounds beautiful.”

Flick to 4 minutes 06 seconds on our Video Review and listen to the sports exhaust in all its raspy goodness… now imagine that parping away behind your head as nail the throttle.

On the road, it drives as well as it sounds. Beautifully sorted and full of vigour – the supercharged performance will leave you, as it has us, grinning from ear to ear.

The underside of this car is truly a majestic thing. If you are a restorative fetishist (as we all are here at The Market) then you will simply want to pop it up on a ramp and glory in the finish. It. Is. Incredible.

The engine bay also presents similarly.

You can see where the huge number of man-hours has gone.

This famous MG TC is ready for its next half century (and more) of motoring.

Okay, the proof is in the restoration pudding and what we like to see is photos, and lots of them. No problem, sir or madam! Simply scroll to our Photographic Gallery below, where you will find a selection to peruse. These show the body, mechanicals, chassis, and interior all in various states of undress, redress and completion.

In the history file you will also find the vehicle’s V5C document showing its first UK date of registration as being 14/01/2015 and its first registration in the US as 08/04/1948.

A copy of Inside Track, The Racing Autobiography 1927-1967, is also included, which details the story of Ferrari’s American World Champion and the first owner of this vehicle: Phil Hill. Another magazine interview ‘How I Started Racing’ in which he discusses the MG TC is also present.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of the paperwork to support our claim that this car has been restored to the highest of standards.

This is a very significant MG. With its Phil Hill back-story, it has a simply unrepeatable history and, as it’s just had a full restoration, it also presents immaculately. George Edney is an experienced and highly regarded restorer, so interested parties can take confidence that it’s been completed to a very high standard.

Taking all of the above into account, we think chassis #5194 will realise somewhere between £35,000 and £45,000. Considering the restoration costs (up to £85k, without factoring in the purchase price the car), it’s fair to say that the next owner is going to get an absolute steal.

They’ll also be getting a formidable MG track weapon (should they wish to the car it in that way, it’s ready!), a classic that would be welcome at almost any concours event, and a lovely, lovely piece of British/American motoring history.

In our view, opportunities to snap up a car like this don’t come up that often – it’s a little bit special.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 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’.