1974 MG TF

Though this NG carries a registration date of 2005, its engine and major running gear components come from a 1974 MG B GT. Bought by the vendor a year ago, he’s enjoyed some trips out to the coast and occasional fair-weather drives, yet also fixing former foibles. Work carried out recently apparently included getting ‘all sorts of bits not working, working again’. The vendor mentions that the car was up for ‘three months on blocks having everything done.’

‘Everything’, according to the vendor, consisted of; ‘the engine being serviced, tappets done, new track rod ends and rack. It now runs properly, brakes properly and the bodywork is in almost excellent condition.’ 

In addition to the above recent recommissioning, there’s a healthy paper trail of invoices charting work carried out from 2017, though immediate post-build history – thought to have completed around 1998/9 – is unfortunately lacking. The car comes with several folders full of build images and parts invoices from big names in the MG scene such as Moss Europe and Rimmer Bros. and having just passed its MoT, this NG is ready to enjoy right away.

The vendor was keen to point out that he’s spent considerable time detailing the bodywork to return it to its best. The time taken here certainly doesn’t appear to have been wasted as the car’s panels reflect a deep pearlescent shine. The bodywork is made mostly from glass fibre, with the bonnet made from aluminium. The overall result is something which pretty well approximates a British sports car from the running-board era, immediately post War – to a casual observer, at least. The wire wheels look in excellent order throughout, with a matching set of Hankook tyres (including the spare). We couldn’t find a date code on them, but all appear to be in good shape.

The front end looks good with very few signs of tarnishing anywhere, though we spotted a little mark on the bottom of the grille. If we were being really picky, we’d note that the inner nearside spot lamp isn’t perfectly straight, but really this is a trifling issue at worst. Of slightly more note are the small sections where the paint has worn through to the metal around the bonnet latches. There’s also some orange peel to the paint finish on the offside rear deck, above the wheel arch. Generally, however, the car’s paint still presents very well. This NG can also boast good chrome, as well as an seemingly great hood and tonneau cover. 

As those familiar with the MGB will no doubt have noticed already, the mass majority of the gauges and switchgear in this TF have been donated from the ubiquitous octagon firm’s favourite. They look smart too and somehow in-keeping with the overall 1940s-1950s aesthetic. The veneer on the dash looks great and the cabin generally presents very well. We did spot a very minor split in the seat fabric on the driver’s back and some minor stains to the bases. The gear gaiter colour also doesn’t match the rest of the fabric – plus there’s wear to the gear knob itself – but overall, things are looking highly presentable here.

Carpets generally look good, but under the passenger seat and to the rear of the transmission tunnel, things look in need of some further TLC. The car also benefits from a full cabin Tonneau cover and a hood that appears to be in equally fine shape on its underside as it appears on top; taught and apparently weather tight. There’s not much in the way of creature comforts, but you do get a Philips cassette deck and four speakers, two partially hidden under the dash and two within the rear three quarter trims.

Since his purchase of the car 12 months ago, the vendor tells us that he’s been tinkering to put things right that the car’s two former keepers couldn’t. There’s lots of evidence of work under the bonnet, with elements like the Viper silicone coolant hoses and braided oil lines showing that money and time has been spent on preventative maintenance. The HT leads also look new and there are what appear to be new clamps securing the upper radiator hose. The thermostat housing and its related hardware also appear to be recent additions; backed by an invoice in the history file. 

The underside of the car isn’t the easiest to inspect, as this NG’s such a low-slung roadster, but from what we could make out, all seemed solid and straight, with only mild and limited patches of surface corrosion evident. The most recent MoT, in April, listed a couple of advisories for front wheel bearings and a minor oil leak, both of which – according to the vendor – have since been sorted.

As mentioned already, the car’s earlier history hasn’t been retained, but we still have a decent number of recent invoices to browse. Before we get to that, however, it’s worth noting that this car comes with a large selection of folders of in-build images, thought to have been taken around 1998. 

There are also various Rimmer Bros. invoices for parts the vendor has fitted and an MGB Haynes workshop manual, two sets of keys and an immobiliser. 

The following is a brief rundown of the car’s history highlights, mainly focussing on its recent recommissioning work. 

• 1998 – Confirmation certificate of seat belt anchorage safety.
• 2006 – Sold by Panorama Bay in Dorset (February). 
• 2017 – Servicing included draining of coolant and stale fuel from the fuel tank (due to standing) by Miles Mobile Mechanic (MMM). 
• March 2023 – Electrical issues flagged by the MoT tester (stop lamps and other lights), cured by R&B Vehicle Services, Tetbury in (£240.25).
• May 2023 – New battery.
• May 2024 – Front end alignment at A.L.S Tyres, Bracknell.

The vendor also lists that the following work has been carried out by himself during his ownership.

• New oil cooler and stainless-steel oil pipes.
• New steering rack and track rod ends.
• Reconditioned steering column.
• New oil filter and oil.
• Carburettors cleaned and balanced.
• Radiator pressure tested.
• New thermostat housing/thermostat/gasket/studs and nuts.
• New silicone hoses for radiator/heater and carburettors.
• New stainless-steel fuel pipes and filter.
• New clutch slave cylinder, stainless-steel hydraulic pipe and release arm gaiter. 
• New rear brake shoes/wheel cylinders/retaining springs/pins, cup washers and hand brake lever boots. Shoe adjusters cleaned and greased. New front brake pads/gt pins/spring clips and lock tabs, new brake light pressure switch.
• New heater control knobs.
• New heater valve control unit and gasket.
• New silicone rocker cover gasket.
• New accelerator cable and choke cable.
• Rocker cover and carbs professionally polished.
• New coil, points and rotor arm.

If you’re in the market for an NG TF you’re hardly spoiled for choice; there have only been a handful offered for sale in the past four years. It’s therefore well worth grabbing a good one when it comes up. Even if you’re not a kit car aficionado, there’s surely plenty here that appeals from the graceful looks to the familiar MGB mechanicals, not to mention more vigorous performance on offer from this lightweight roadster.

The vendor seems to have taken care of this rare car to the next level and despite his limited use, he’s apparently made sure that, when not in use, the car’s been kept under an indoor/outdoor car cover (included) in dry storage with the battery left on a trickle charger. Few prospective new owners could surely ask for more.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £10,000 - £12,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am- 12pm or 2pm-4pm. To make a booking, 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, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.