1951 MG TD news, pictures, and information

View more photos
Roadster
Chassis Num: XPAGTDLHX4988

The MG TD was introduced part-way through 1949 and featured an independent front suspension and hydraulic drum brakes. The 1250-cc four-cylinder engine just under 50 horsepower which was sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox. The series prior to the TD, the TC, was mostly right-hand drive vehicles. Altering the TC to left-hand drive configuration was difficult and not cost effective; the TD resolved this issue. The chassis sat atop a steel box section unit with a traditional wood body frame and steel body panels. The red MG TD shown with chassis number XPAGTDLHX4988 was offered for sale at the 2006 Worldwide Group Auction held on Hilton Head Island. It was expected to sell between $15,000-$20,000. It had undergone a full restoration in 1993 which included new black leather seats and matching top and side curtains. Since new, it has had four owners. At the conclusion of the auction, the car had found a fifth owner at the price of $16,775.

View more photos
Roadster

The TD, with its roots in the early 1930s, had a separate chassis, obstinately separate mudguards, an upright, tombstone-like radiator grille and a petrol tank slung across the back like a metal backpack. The only concessions to modernity were rack-and-pinion steering and independent suspension with double wishbones and coil springs. The four-cylinder, 1,250cc engine gave spirited performance via a synchromesh-laden, four-speed gearbox.

The TD also had a spirited European race history that included the 1951 Lemans 24-Hour race. When the fledgling Sports Car Club of America started sponsoring road races in the United States the TD was seen on the legendary road circuits of Bridgehampton & Watkins Glen in NY and Elkhart Lake in WI.

The MG TA Midget appeared in the spring of 1936 as a replacement for the MG PB. It featured many components borrowed from Morris. Channel sections replaced the tubular cross-members making the vehicles ride more comfortable. The suspension was provided by leaf springs and beam-axle in the front and rear. The brakes were hydraulically operated drums, a first for MG. The body shell was assembled around the MG traditional way of using a wooden frame. All this added up to a total weight of 1,765 pounds.
A 1292 cc, overhead-valve, pushrod, four-cylinder engine was placed in the front and powered the rear wheels. Outfitted with dual horizontal SU carburetors, the engine produced 50 horsepower. The four-speed manual gearbox was synchromesh, another first for MG.

When first introduced, the two-seater vehicle could be purchased in open and closed configuration. Later, the open coupe, referred to as an Airline Coupe, was replaced with a Drophead style. The Drophead used a soft-top that could open and close depending on the driver and the weather conditions.

In 1939 World War II was beginning. MG was introducing its latest vehicle, the TB Midget. It was basically the same as the TA, but was equipped with a larger, 1250cc, engine. The four-cylinder over-head valve, XPAG power plant was borrowed from the new Morris 10. It produced 45 horsepower and was much more reliable than its predecessor. When the war began, production ceased. MG shifted its focus to creating equipment for military purposes.

At the end of the War, MG introduced the TC Midget. This was essentially a TB with very few modifications. The chassis was modified with rubber bush shackles in place of the sliding trunnion spring mountings. The transmission was the single-plate dry clutch and four-speed synchromesh unit. The engine was the XPAG 1250 cc pushrod engine. It was essential a TB offered in one body style, an open two-seater.

Even though the TC was a rebirth of an old model and used outdated mechanical equipments but modern interior, the TC Midget was very successful. During its four year production run, lasting from 1945 through 1949, more than 10,000 TC's were created.

In 1949, the TC was replaced by the TD Midget. It visually appeared like the previous Midgets, but was very different in mechanical ways. With a new chassis, it was sturdier and provided a comfortable ride. An independent suspension with double wishbones and coil springs were placed in the front. The vehicle was left-hand drive. The engine and transmission were identical to the TC. To comply with newly developed safety concerns and regulations, bumpers were placed on the front and in the rear.

A Mark II version used a more powerful version of the XPAG engine. With larger carburetors and higher compression ratio, the vehicle produced 57 horsepower. The suspension was modified and the interior received bucket seats.

During its four-year production run, the TD experienced even more success than its predecessor. Just like the TC, many of the TD Midgets were exported to the United States.

In 1953, the TD was updated and dubbed the TF. It was given a 1466 cc engine. Production continued through 1955 when it was replaced by the MGA.

Prior to World War I, the future of the company was unknown. Thanks to the success of the TA, the road was paved for MG to continue their prosperous status after the War. The models that followed brought modifications both visually and mechanically. The T-Series, lasting from 1936 through 1955, was a simple and reliable two-seater sports car that was fun to drive.