1953 MGTD

1953 MG T-Series Description:

This is my 1953 MGTD I’ve owned for almost 12 years. When I got the TD it was in somewhat tattered condition, but ran well. I spent the last 12 years refreshing everything I could short of a complete restoration. Many thousands have been spent making this car a strong runner and easy on the eyes. Many substantial upgrades have been made and listed below. If you are looking for a “show car” this is NOT the TD for you. If you are looking for an attractive and strong “driver,” it’s a good description of this MGTD. Everything works on this car. While purists may not care for what I’ve added, all original equipment replaced comes with the car should you want to revert it back to stock, as well as many spare parts. Mileage shows 101050, but I cannot verify this to be accurate. This is a matching numbers car.

WORK DONE

New front and rear springs

New front and rear suspension bushings

Speedometer, Tach, ignition/headlamp switch rebuilt

Carbs completely rebuilt

New convertible top

New full tonneau

Floor boards replaced

Carpet replaced

UPGRADES

5-speed transmission with syncro in all gears. This conversion by Skyhook is installed in hundreds of MG -T Series cars using the Datsun 210 5-speed transmission (original fully functional 4-speed transmission comes with car)

MGA 4.3 geared rear end (complete original 5.12 rear end comes with car)

Petronix electronic ignition (original points/condenser come with car)

Solid state voltage regulator

New Solid state fuel pump

Modern thermostat

Rebuilt wiper motor

Custom wood steering wheel (original comes with car)

MGB 7 bladed fan for better cooling

Headlamp relays to reduce amperage load and protect headlamp system

Lucas (repro) PL700 Tri-bar headlamps

Brake light relay (brake lights draw 3 amps and burn out the switch. The relay removes heavy current from the brake light switch)

New stainless steel exhaust system

Jet Hot coated exhaust manifold

Modern “spin on” engine oil filter system (original comes with car)

Burlwood dash with passenger grab handle

Driver and passenger, period correct, door lock/checks for added safety with “suicide” doors

MG logo floor mats

Driver and passenger seat belts (bolted to frame, not just to wood floor)

Upgraded valve cover (original valve cover comes with car)

MGB coolant recovery tank

Onboard battery maintainer//charger

Front and rear fog lamps added with ON/OFF indicator light front driving light, badge bar

Reversing light

MGB starter solenoid w/push button start

Raydyot spot light

Brooklands Racing Screens

Driver side mirror

Bonnet props

ALL chrome parts have been either re-chromed or replaced, with the exception of the radiator surround, which is still in decent condition, but with a small ding near the top.

The TD has passed Texas State Inspection every year during my ownership

WEAK POINTS

The car is not without some weak points. There was some wood rot in the body tub noted when I replaced the floor boards and repaired with epoxy filler by me. Stronger than original wood, but a repair none the less. The wood was also treated to prevent further deterioration with a marine grade wood preservative. The top and sides of the frame exposed after removing the floor boards had the surface rust removed and coated with POR-15 Top Coat for rust prevention. (see pics above after repair).

While the doors open and close easily and firmly, and the door function is unaffected, there is some misalignment on the hinge side of the doors. Just bugs me visually when I look close.

There are also small paint chips that have been touched up, but nothing that can be seen from a few feet away.

The wiring harness is fully functional and I have never had an electrical issue, but the cloth wiring covers have lost their color coding, making it more difficult to identify what wire is what. The harness can be replaced in situ, but it was nothing I felt that must be done, as all electrical has been working well during my ownership.

Lately, the throw out bearing is noisy at times, but the shifting is unaffected.

The TD came to me with black side curtains. Side curtains, frames and stainless trim for them come with the car, but I would recommend the new owner first recover them in tan to match the top.

All questions will be answered.

You must make your own shipping arrangements for both the car and the spare transmission, rear axle, and spare parts. I cannot do this for you.

This MG is for sale elsewhere, and I reserve the right to cancel this listing if it sells before this auction ends.