1952 MG TD
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Highlights
• Genuine RHD UK model
• Two extensive and documented restorations in the last 40 years
• In the same family for 66 years
• Immaculate condition throughout
The Background
Faced with the need to ‘Export or die’ the post-war era was troubling for all of the UK’s car producers. MG understood this and aggressively marketed their cars to the Americans, who took the MG TD to their hearts.
The compact style, the undeniable character of its driving agility and relatively advanced engineering ensured that the traditional MG values were maintained and the TD soon became a best seller. The '52 model year benefits with the addition of twin fuel pumps, uprated dampers and higher rear-axle ratio. Around 30,000 MG TD's were produced, but less than 1700 were retained in the UK making genuine RHD British spec models hard to find.
The compact style, the undeniable character of its driving agility and relatively advanced engineering ensured that the traditional MG values were maintained and the TD soon became a best seller. The '52 model year benefits with the addition of twin fuel pumps, uprated dampers and higher rear-axle ratio. Around 30,000 MG TD's were produced, but less than 1700 were retained in the UK making genuine RHD British spec models hard to find.
This 1952 example has seen just two previous owners, both of which are believed to have been in the same family. The car has been subject to two high-level restorations in the past 40 years and has not even covered much more than 30 miles since it was restored. It comes with two keys, a carefully organised file of paperwork and the promise that it has seen nothing but the most careful of keepers over its lifetime.
The History
Registered new in Blackpool in 1952, the car was believed to have remained in the same family for much of its life, spanning an incredible 66 years. The car saw regular use until the early ‘70s and was eventually subject to a restoration in 1988. It remained in possession with the original owner until it was passed over to relatives in 2007.
According to its MOT’s the car has seen very limited use over the last 40 years, with less than 3,000 miles being documented since then. The current owner took the car on in 2018 to complement their MGB and to mainly use it for occasional drives and club event meets. Bought as an already well-kept car that had benefited from a fine restoration, what began as a modest overhaul of the doors during the lock-down grew into a major restoration, with most of the car stripped down and finished to an impressively high standard.
This begins to describe the fastidious nature of the owner's approach to his cars, having carried all work but the final coat of paint himself, and even that included several weekend worth of ‘project managing’ the reassembly by the talented team at the paint shop, to ensure perfect panel gaps and fit.
The car has barely covered 30 miles since its restoration and he’s rightfully happy with the results, despite pronouncing himself as a self-confessed perfectionist. However, he has decided to place the car for sale, as he intends to enter retirement with his dream car - an Austin Healey 3000, which will go some way into healing the pain of giving up such a well restored MG.
According to its MOT’s the car has seen very limited use over the last 40 years, with less than 3,000 miles being documented since then. The current owner took the car on in 2018 to complement their MGB and to mainly use it for occasional drives and club event meets. Bought as an already well-kept car that had benefited from a fine restoration, what began as a modest overhaul of the doors during the lock-down grew into a major restoration, with most of the car stripped down and finished to an impressively high standard.
This begins to describe the fastidious nature of the owner's approach to his cars, having carried all work but the final coat of paint himself, and even that included several weekend worth of ‘project managing’ the reassembly by the talented team at the paint shop, to ensure perfect panel gaps and fit.
The car has barely covered 30 miles since its restoration and he’s rightfully happy with the results, despite pronouncing himself as a self-confessed perfectionist. However, he has decided to place the car for sale, as he intends to enter retirement with his dream car - an Austin Healey 3000, which will go some way into healing the pain of giving up such a well restored MG.
The Paperwork
The car comes with a carefully arranged binder of history, including MOTS stretching back to 1970, as well as MG owners club magazines, maintenance paperwork and documentation of a 1988 restoration at renowned marque specialists Naylor Brothers. During this time, the car underwent 4 years of engine and running gear work, an interior re-trim and body restoration.
Despite the substantial restoration, which cost thousands of pounds, the car saw little use before being stored and subsequently sold to Canterbury convertibles, a Rolls Royce and Bentley specialist, in 2018.
Despite the substantial restoration, which cost thousands of pounds, the car saw little use before being stored and subsequently sold to Canterbury convertibles, a Rolls Royce and Bentley specialist, in 2018.
This is where the current owner took on the car, who bought it after the specialist carried out an MOT test, service and rectified a handful of issues after its idle status. The car passed with no advisories and was given a bill of good health. The current restoration has been documented by a full record of digital photographs, a video of the engine being fired up after its refurbishment as well as numerous invoices.
The owner estimates that roughly £6,500 was spent on the car's repair over the course of 18 months, including paint.
The owner estimates that roughly £6,500 was spent on the car's repair over the course of 18 months, including paint.
The Interior
The interior is in excellent condition, with no notable issues of note. The seats have been well restored and are firmly sprung and show no signs of wear.
The car has been fitted with carpets, all are in good condition with no damage. The dashboard has also been well maintained with minimal damage; the dials and switches retain some originality and may possibly be the original pieces, which naturally exhibit signs of age but add to the car's authenticity.
The steering wheel, gear knob and hand brake lever are all good, with no significant wear or cracks. All of the major controls work, with the exception of the wiper motor (which is not connected), as verified by the positive state of the wiring loom and engine electrical components.
The car has been fitted with carpets, all are in good condition with no damage. The dashboard has also been well maintained with minimal damage; the dials and switches retain some originality and may possibly be the original pieces, which naturally exhibit signs of age but add to the car's authenticity.
The steering wheel, gear knob and hand brake lever are all good, with no significant wear or cracks. All of the major controls work, with the exception of the wiper motor (which is not connected), as verified by the positive state of the wiring loom and engine electrical components.
The Exterior
The body strikes a fine balance between authenticity and the appeal of a well-done restoration. The car has seen a bare metal respray, with all panels and exterior components carefully dismantled and reassembled after its paint. As a result, there’s very little to pick fault with in terms of the panel fit or condition.
The doors have been meticulously installed and tested to guarantee that they fit as well (perhaps better?) as they did when they left the Abingdon factory. Please notice that while some of the photographs in the gallery appear to show that the bonnet is slightly ajar, the catches were left unfastened for the photos but rest assured the fit and operation of all the doors are near flawless.
While the paint has been professionally applied by a specialist, much of the mechanical and bodywork has been confidently carried out to a high standard by the owner. What's especially intriguing about the car is how much of the original chrome has been preserved, which displays minor pitting but is another pleasingly authentic touch.
The hood is also original, it has a couple of minor tears but is a relatively painless task for the new owner to resolve if desired. The car also comes with its full set of side screens, but these are rarely fitted as the owner only drove the MG with the roof down and never in the rain.
Because there was no need to contain the side screens in the car, the storage box that would normally reside behind the passenger compartment was not retrofitted during the restoration. The wheels are in excellent condition, and while the tyres show well above legal tread and are more than capable of gripping the tarmac, they are clearly over 20 years old.
The windscreen is in a good state with no significant blemishes, all the rubbers and piping on the car are new and in excellent condition and have been fitted to a high standard. The lights are all good, with no damage and new rear lights were recently fitted.
The doors have been meticulously installed and tested to guarantee that they fit as well (perhaps better?) as they did when they left the Abingdon factory. Please notice that while some of the photographs in the gallery appear to show that the bonnet is slightly ajar, the catches were left unfastened for the photos but rest assured the fit and operation of all the doors are near flawless.
While the paint has been professionally applied by a specialist, much of the mechanical and bodywork has been confidently carried out to a high standard by the owner. What's especially intriguing about the car is how much of the original chrome has been preserved, which displays minor pitting but is another pleasingly authentic touch.
The hood is also original, it has a couple of minor tears but is a relatively painless task for the new owner to resolve if desired. The car also comes with its full set of side screens, but these are rarely fitted as the owner only drove the MG with the roof down and never in the rain.
Because there was no need to contain the side screens in the car, the storage box that would normally reside behind the passenger compartment was not retrofitted during the restoration. The wheels are in excellent condition, and while the tyres show well above legal tread and are more than capable of gripping the tarmac, they are clearly over 20 years old.
The windscreen is in a good state with no significant blemishes, all the rubbers and piping on the car are new and in excellent condition and have been fitted to a high standard. The lights are all good, with no damage and new rear lights were recently fitted.
The Mechanics
The car started up instantly, bursting into life with a single turn of the key. After the initial condensation from the exhaust, the engine ran well with no signs of excess smoke. The oil pressure runs correctly while the car was idle and in motion, with the engine reaching temperature with no issues and remaining at the halfway mark.
The engine was not completely stripped down during its recent restoration, as the owner confessed it really didn’t need it, but as a matter of precaution, the cooling system was refactored which included a radiator re-core and pressure test as well as a new water pump and thermostat. The carburettors were overhauled as well as a set of new engine gaskets and ancillaries.
As a result, the engine is beautifully presented and as a measure of the fastidious nature of the owner care for the car, doesn’t even let the bonnet covers rest on the car. The underside of the car is virtually unblemished, with the chassis and suspension looking as good as new.
The engine was not completely stripped down during its recent restoration, as the owner confessed it really didn’t need it, but as a matter of precaution, the cooling system was refactored which included a radiator re-core and pressure test as well as a new water pump and thermostat. The carburettors were overhauled as well as a set of new engine gaskets and ancillaries.
As a result, the engine is beautifully presented and as a measure of the fastidious nature of the owner care for the car, doesn’t even let the bonnet covers rest on the car. The underside of the car is virtually unblemished, with the chassis and suspension looking as good as new.
The car’s ride is remarkably composed, dealing with the potholes and corners with no knocking from the suspension. The steering wheel stays true and shows no signs of vibration, the owner has mentioned prior to the restoration, there was a fair amount of loose play but it is now direct and concise.
The gear change is precise and needs minimal effort, with the clutch operating without any issues and has a comfortable biting point. The brakes are surprisingly effective for drum items and a low-speed emergency stop demonstration suggested that they are well up to the task. No squealing or fade was evident.
The gear change is precise and needs minimal effort, with the clutch operating without any issues and has a comfortable biting point. The brakes are surprisingly effective for drum items and a low-speed emergency stop demonstration suggested that they are well up to the task. No squealing or fade was evident.
The Appeal
The MG TD combines the pre-war back to basics style of motoring with a relatively advanced chassis and engine design.
Factor in MG's exceptional parts availability, along with its relative ease of ownership helped by its familiar pedal layout and gearshift pattern, this TD has also benefited from two detailed restorations in the last 40 years, and the final conclusion is that this has to be one of the nicest examples currently for sale.
Factor in MG's exceptional parts availability, along with its relative ease of ownership helped by its familiar pedal layout and gearshift pattern, this TD has also benefited from two detailed restorations in the last 40 years, and the final conclusion is that this has to be one of the nicest examples currently for sale.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1952
- Make MG
- Model TD
- Colour Red
- Odometer 92,961 Miles
- Engine size 1250
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Location Berkshire
- Country United Kingdom
16
bids
- bi•••• £22,000 11/10/21
- bi•••• £21,750 11/10/21
- da•••• £21,500 11/10/21
- bi•••• £21,000 11/10/21
- da•••• £20,750 11/10/21
- de•••• £20,500 11/10/21
- Pr•••• £19,500 11/10/21
- bi•••• £18,500 11/10/21
- he•••• £18,250 11/10/21
- bi•••• £18,000 11/10/21
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