1953 MG TD Roadster

In the early 1950's MG decided to go after the American market and did so with full on assault of the MD TD. With its rag top, a more powerful engine, shorter in length, and sports car handling, one could drive like Sterling Moss, and not get a speeding ticket...now there is definitely something to be said for that!

For consignment, a nicely resorted example finished off prior to the turn of the 21st century, we have an example that is correct. Convertible top, side curtains, straight rust-free steel, and British Racing Green, hop in and go for a quick tool!

Exterior
A green vertical louvered ribbed grille leads the way on this car and is sitting behind a rounded shiny front bumper with dual vertical posts just for better pushing. Blingy chromed rounded headlights hang off either side of the radiator surround, and just next to these begin the fenders which curve around the front wheels, move to the running board and again with the up and down undulation of the rear fenders. All steel bodywork is bathed in British Racing Green and is showing cracks in the armor. Literally, as there is some crazing in the paint, underlying surface rust with the beginnings of bubbling, scratches at the fenders' edges, and dents in the rear chrome bumper which also has dimples. Upfront, a cowled hood with some vertical air venting in the sides makes its way on its long trip back to the windshield which is trimmed with more nice chrome, and can fold down if you want. A wrinkled and stained black canvas top complete with a set of side curtains, snaps nearly perfectly to either side and the low swooping suicide hinged doors. The plastic for the windows has yellowed over time, but fits the vintage bill and looks a little crumpled but it just needs to be stretched out. On the back is the spare tire, the fuel tank and a rear curved bumper stretching from fender to fender. Steel drilled wheels bathed in silver have a dog dish style center hub cover with the octagonal MG badge in red. Black walls are on all 4 corners as well as the spare on the back.

Interior
A swing of the front handled rear hinged low-slung doors, and we are greeted with a bit of unexpected niceties in biscuit tan leather tuck and roll bench seat with a solid bench back, and a split in the seats for the handbrake. Even the threshold has an MG Car Company Ltd. badge. An eyebrow curved dash, draped in mahogany wood, sports a center cluster of gauges which pepper a wood veneer curved panel and some large white-faced gauges with shiny bezels and clear glass in front of the left hand drive steering wheel. This steering wheel is a banjo styled center 3 spoke design. Deep biscuit leather covers the simple small doors, and each offers up some pouch storage and the chromed actuators. Worn black carpeting floods the floors.

Drivetrain
A flip of the side cowl on the hood reveals an unrestored 4-cylinder red painted engine block in 1250cc configuration. A dulled painted red and chipped valve cover is atop, and this mill is fed by 2 carburetors which are SU H2 semi downdraft style. These have a light coating of dull corrosion on them. There is a 4-speed manual transmission attached to the back and a 5.125 rear axle way in back. The engine bay shows some aging and patina.

Undercarriage
Floor Pans and framing is mostly rust free with a light coating of surface rust on the suspension and the underside of the running boards are just scratched from road rash. For the suspension, independent coil springs are up front, and leaf springs for the back. Drum brakes are on each corner.

Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and after a nice warmup it ran incredibly smoothly and has great snappy pickup. It handled well and just the open road feel of this car is worth the price of admission. I noticed the wipers were inoperable.

With the showing of some aging and a few encounters with the outside world, this car is not perfect, but still retains most of this shine and it runs great. A few faults in the interior chrome around the dash instruments and a patina engine, we are firmly in fair to good condition overall.

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.