1955 MG TF 1500

Geoff Faulkner bought this lovely MG TF 1500 back in 2003 from a gentleman in Lytham St Annes, who had himself purchased it for his wife in 1984. “He owned a tyre company and rebuilt the car with the help of an employee who had to retire due to ill health,” he explains.

The chassis was sent away for blasting and coating and the engine and gearbox were rebuilt. The odometer was set to 10,000 miles (MOT certificates verify this). Included in the car’s history file (see History Highlights section, below) is a photo album of the full nut and bolt restoration back in the Eighties and an invoice for £1400 for a panelled body unit.

Once Geoff took ownership, he had the dashboard and instruments renovated by Naylor Brothers of Baildon and the company also rebuilt the carburettors at the same time. “They told me that they were off an MGA – the next model up – so a previous owner must have fitted them as an upgrade.”

The car has been kept in a dehumidified garage during his ownership and has only very rarely been out in the rain, and never when the roads have been salted.

The registration plate “MG 6117” is included in the sale. “I don’t know what car the registration is off, but it’s not the original and is from an older vehicle – possibly an early TA or four-seater YF.”

Geoff’s now approaching 80 years of age and, while he’ll be sad to see the TF go, he acknowledges that it’s the right time to sell it. “To be quite honest it’s getting a bit difficult to get in and out of it, and my wife won’t go in it now. It’s sad in one respect, as I’ve always been an MG man.”

The car comes with a nice box of bits including seat protection, original paint from the re-spray and other bits’n’bobs. “I thought the paint would be solid but I opened it up the other day and it was still runny; I painted a bit on a piece of alloy and it’s still a good match.”

The TF’s odometer now shows 29,055 miles and the included V5 document shows a total of five owners from new.

“Body-wise, it’s pretty good for its age,” says Geoff. The paintwork is in lovely condition and the front end is almost completely free of stone-chips. Both doors feel solid and nice and sag-free and all body panel beading is as it should be. It’s clearly been cosseted since restoration.

If we’re being picky, there’s a very small mark where the driver’s door meets the body work and some very small bubbles at the bottom front of the rear nearside wheel arch – but that’s your lot in terms of imperfections.

Brightwork is in very pleasant condition with no signs of pitting and only some very light tarnishing in places – it should polish up well. A very useful luggage rack is also fitted, should the next owner fancy a bit of touring.

Geoff fitted new bi-radial Maxxis MA-701 tyres in 2010 and all look very good with no signs of cracking and a decent amount of tread remaining – the boot-mounted spare wheel was changed at the same time.

He added the wing mirrors for improved visibility and says that they are especially useful when the roof is up.

Overall, it’s a very positive picture.

The TF’s interior remains very sweet and very clean. Its soft top and side screens are superb, with inner headlining of the former remaining in good condition.

When Geoff first got the car, the dashboard was covered in black non-standard vinyl and one of the instruments wasn’t working, so he had Naylor Brothers fit a new tachometer and correctly re-trim the dashboard. Its double swoop padded top lends the interior a touch of class.

The leather seats (individual, rather than bench on earlier T-Series) remain supportive and in top condition. Carpets are good, as are door cards which are pleasantly free of marks.

The TF has a heater fitted, which works. It also comes with a luggage bag, car cover and full and half tonneau covers; there’s also and a petrol cut-off tap under the dash and fitted door locks for a touch of extra security.

“It drives very well, indeed,” says Geoff. “I never really put it above 4000rpm; maybe a little above that on the motorway, but then I’m not on that very often. The engine has done about 20,000 miles since it was fully rebuilt (re-bored and re-sleeved). It maintains 50-55psi of oil pressure and hardly uses any oil at all.

“Brakes are perfect – I had them refurbished when I first got the car, as the chap’s wife hadn’t used the car in four years. It still stops pretty well. Mechanically, there’s not much wrong with it at all. Whoever did the restoration, did a good job.”

We can second that. The later T-Series Midgets with their pioneering Issigonis-designed independent front suspension were transformative in terms of ride and this car is proof of that. It’s a lovely car to pilot; light, responsive and direct.

The suspension feels pliant and deals well with road imperfections. The gearbox is tight and shifts with a lovely positive action. We found that the steering wheel has a very small amount of vertical play but it’s not to the detriment of the overall experience.

A quick peak underneath reveals a very positive picture; lots of solid, body-coloured metal, and a chassis and floor in similarly very good condition. The engine bay is smart and presents with the pleasant patina of an older restoration.

In the history file you’ll find a comprehensive archive of photographs documenting all aspects of the car’s comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration during the Eighties, as well as invoices for the relevant parts required.

You’ll also find a word document that details all works subsequently carried out during Geoff’s ownership. There are also a wide variety of invoices to flick through and a huge number of previous MOT certificates.

Included is a selection of MG T-Series book and an original workshop manual. You should find its history just as pleasant as the car itself.

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 maintained to a high standard.

Geoff thought about selling his TF seven years ago but was persuaded not to by his two daughters, who recognised just how much joy it gave him. He prolonged his ownership, but now the time has finally come for him to part ways with his lovely MG.

That decision means that the opportunity is now there for another enthusiast to buy a well-looked after, and clearly much-loved, example of MG’s perky T-Series Midget.

It’s not concours but remains in very, very good condition and it doesn’t seem to want for anything. We think that adds up to an estimate of between £19,000 to £25,000.

“Parts availability is excellent,” says Geoff. “Everything is available from the MG Octagon Club. And the social scene is lovely too, with lots to do.”

A parting of the ways can be a time for reflection but as Geoff himself acknowledges, it’s now time for a new owner to continue MG 6117’s adventure.

Inspection is always encouraged (within Govt. guidelines of course), and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; 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’.