1952 MG TD

With their potentially delicate combination of metal and wood (frame) construction, the MG Ts are one of those model series where the buyers’ guide says; ‘if you can, find yourself a California car.’ Well; this is such a car. This example, like so many TDs, has spent most of its life in that most sunny of West Coast states. It was only imported to the UK in 2014 by its previous owner.

Once here, it underwent a thorough mechanical rebuild. At this time, it was also converted to right hand-drive. The present owner, Peter, doesn’t have paperwork to corroborate the anecdotal evidence, though he does have contact with the previous owner and is certain of its provenance. The condition and drivability of the MG certainly support these claims.

When the car was restored, the MG’s original gearbox was swapped out for a fully-synchromeshed Ford Type-9 five-speed. ‘So no more screaming its guts out,’ Peter says. ‘It cruises very nicely now,’ he adds, citing an engine speed of less than 3000rpm at 70mph.’ He points out that the tightly reassembled car runs with ‘no rattles or bangs, or clunks from the gear-change.’

Every indication suggests that the wood frame and metal body panels are hanging together well without any signs of wood/metal separation going on anywhere. The motor starts ‘on the button’ - with an oil pressure of some 70psi from cold - and switches off promptly without spluttering or running on.

Peter has owned the TD for about 18 months, using it regularly - most often to attend classic car events. It has been dry stored in the interim and was previously kept under a breathable and UV-proof cover - which may come with the car. There is also the option to buy the (as-new) Car-Coon, which Peter bought for the car, but has not used.

The only reason Peter is selling his cherished TD, is that having a purchased an MGA Roadster through The Market earlier this year, needs to free up some space.

Any tell-tale signs of anything untoward would appear in the alignment of panels, but on this example, everything looks to be very straight. The doors open and close smoothly, although the driver’s door does drop slightly, but the shut lines do come together evenly on both sides. (As Peter understands it, the coachwork was left alone, it already being in excellent condition). The A and B-pillars (where the wood is exposed) look good - if there was rot here, the door fit would be poor. The doors themselves appear to have no rust in the bottoms (a potential weak spot), though underneath, that on the driver’s side appears more faded and a little worn in a couple of small places.

The bonnet panels line up nicely both with the tub and the grill surround. By the way - that radiator shroud, as well as the windscreen surround, are fairly hard-to-get items, so it’s nice to see no dents or distortions, and that the chrome is in good condition. (There is very light corrosion in one or two screw heads) There are some polishing marks on the radiator, but no discolouration or pitting. That (goose) mascot isn’t original, but is a nod to the type beloved of MG-buying fighter pilots during World War Two. And that’s nice and shiny too. Elsewhere, the chrome looks to be in fine fettle – including the bumpers and head lights, but the supporting arms to the latter are pitted and have lost some of their chrome in places.

Overall, the paintwork is very pleasing, retaining an excellent gloss and a lack of polishing marks - enhanced by the fact that Peter had the car Mopped (Machine operated polisher) and polished not long ago. There are, of course, small marks from the march of time; such as a blemish to front edge of near-side engine cover, and some minor cracking to the paint on the near-side running board. But overall the impression is of a very well cared-for car.

Very few TDs will still have their original interiors. It isn’t known whether this one does, but the (rather nice) condition of this example would suggest a retrim at some point in the car’s fairly recent history. The ribbed leather seats and door cards show only the gentlest of patinas, with stitching and seams that are tight and straight. There are no tears in the leather and that tan hide is set off nicely by the green bodywork. Carpets have that slightly rudimentary-looking period trim, but are clean and even.

During his time with the car, Peter has added a couple of touches of his own. For starters, he has added a new walnut veneer dash. Original issue dashboards are wood with a vinyl trim over the top to match the interior, but he (and we) think this ‘improvement’ looks better. He also added the picnic/suitcase rack that sits atop the fuel tank. But his main upgrade has been the new hood. ‘There was nothing wrong with the original one,’ he explains; but it was blue and didn’t go as well with the interior. As can be seen, the new one makes for a far better match. The MG retains the original side screens (which do have a small section of blue), and which are stored on the rear shelf. Since he always drives with the top stowed, Peter hasn’t cut out the canvas from behind the perspex window. By the way; don’t look for a tonneau cover - TCs and TDs weren’t supplied with one.

There are no signs of water ingress from the top or side panels, and all the dashboard’s original instrument and gauges are present and correct - and working. The one to usually give up the ghost first would be the combined oil/water pressure gauge, but both functions are still going strong on this example - there’s care for you.

Underneath, this essentially pre-war MG looks as good as it does up top. All surfaces are pretty clean with little if any signs of surface corrosion. Chassis rails, outriggers and cross-members all appear straight and sturdy, and the mounts to the bumpers - as well as the metal behind them - are in good condition (often a problem area). Joins and seams between surfaces are consistently well mated together. That exhaust is definitely not period, it’s stainless steel - another upgrade by Peter - and adds a slightly throaty bark to the engine tone. Springs and hangers look strong while other suspension components - and their bolts - appear fresh and very servicable. Rubber gaiters are of a good colour and supple. The MG is sitting on good clean steel wheels, with bright chrome caps and running on good tyres (replaced in the past 18 months) that have travelled less than 1,000 miles. Brakes, while good, are definitely ‘standard’ - so adjust your stopping distances accordingly.

Moving up into the engine bay, you’ll see the block itself is the correct colour for the model (maroon) and the join between it and the head shows no signs of leaks. The surrounding ancillaries look in good health and are corrosion and grime free. Control rods and arms and their joints are free moving and leads and hoses (rubber or braided) are supple and, along with the wiring, tidy and correct. The pair of ‘pancake’ meshed air filters retain a good shine, as does the chromed rocker cover. All in all, a very well cared for engine bay.

Although the car doesn’t carry a lot of history from its time before the present ownership, the MG’s condition and presentation serve as a testament to its upkeep and state of health. The car has lived in a part of Oxfordshire well served by (largely British) classic specialists, and Peter has had a good resource on which to draw. Mechanically, this TD has largely come under the care of Alan Claridge Engineering in Witney, while Mark Rimmer at Cotswold Accident Repairs polished and detailed the bodywork. There are receipts for all the upgrades and work done in the last 18 months.

This is a very good MG TD, which has spent most of its life in one of the most classic-friendly climates on earth. It has had a recent mechanical rebuild and the entire car is very nicely presented. What’s more, it has lived with an enthusiast owner who has used it sympathetically while employing classic specialists to look after the car. It doesn’t get much better than that. Okay - the car could have more older history, but the MG is very much ‘you get what you see’ - and that means you will be getting quite a lot.

If you’re bidding, it wouldn’t be reckless to pursue the car into the £22 - 25,000 bracket. However, Peter is being incredibly realistic with his reserve, which is set at an even lower – we’re quite sure you couldn’t find a better one for close to that money! This is a very well-sorted example of a popular, enjoyable and inexpensive to run British stalwart. Your money should be quite safe there.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abindgon; 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’.

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Classic & Sportscar Finance for purchase-financing, Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car, AnyVan for transporting it, and Footman James for classic car insurance.

BORING, but IMPORTANT: Please note that whilst we at The Market always aim to offer the most descriptive and transparent auction listings available, we cannot claim they are perfect analyses of any of the vehicles for sale. We offer far greater opportunity for bidders to view, or arrange inspections for each vehicle thoroughly prior to bidding than traditional auctions, and we never stop encouraging bidders to take advantage of this. We do take a good look at the vehicles delivered to our premises for sale, but this only results in our unbiased personal observations, not those of a qualified inspector or other professional, or the result of a long test drive.

Additionally, please note that most of the videos on our site have been recorded using simple cameras which often result in 'average' sound quality; in particular, engines and exhausts notes can sound a little different to how they are in reality.