1952 MG TD news, pictures, and information

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Roadster
Chassis Num: 10875

The first two-seater sports cars to carry the MG badge was the M-Type Midget in 1928. The first sporting MG car was the 14/28. Before that time, dating back to 1922, Cecil Kimber of Oxford built special bodied Morris Cowleys in his Morris Garage.

By 1931 the C and D-Type Midgets were being produced. The first MG to use pushrod overhead valve engine was the TA which began in 1936. The TB was followed a few years later in 1939. After World War II, MG resumed production with a new model, the TC, that was basically a TB with a synchromesh gearbox. The TB was what a war-torn Europe was in need and helped propel the nation back into racing.

The MG TD was introduced in 1949 and was a big improvement over its predecessor. Its form and style was similar; the big improvements were in the mechanical components. The body now sat on an improved chassis that was much sturdier. The suspension provided a more comfortable ride for its occupants. The suspension was independent up front with double wishbones and coil springs.

This 1952 MG TD is a factory left-hand drive and the product of a recent restoration. It has a four-cylinder engine that produces 57 horsepower. The odometer reads just 51,977 miles since new and is finished in British racing green paint.

At the 2006 Gooding & Company Auction in Pebble Beach it was estimated to sell between $30,000-$40,000. This estimate seemed to be fair, as the car found a new owner for $31,900.

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Roadster

The 1950 TD combined the TC's drivetrain but with modified hypoid geared rear axle with the MG Y-Type chassis and a familiar T-Type style body. An independent suspension using coil springs in front was new, as were rack-and-pinion steering, smaller 15-inch disc type road wheels and a left-hand drive option. Bumpers and over-riders became standard for the first time. The car was also 5-inches wider with a track of 50 inches. Nearly 30,000 TDs had been produced when the series ended in 1953 with all but 1700 exported.

This left-hand drive automobile was purchased by Mr. McGrath's grandfather in the late 1980's. It is restored and has only 27,000 original miles.

Roadster
Chassis Num: BTD12294

During the 1980s, Mr. Bill Braddock purchased this car from Stable Ltd. in New Jersey for his wife as a 50th birthday present. Mrs. Braddock used the car sparingly over the next two decades, accumulating a mere 800 miles.

In the early 1980s a frame-on restoration was commissioned. During that process it is believed lap belts were added and the fender color was changed to black. At some point in the cars history a Lucas Driving lamp with a racing cover, a temperature gauge and a dry-element performance air cleaner was installed.

The car had 47,000 miles where it was brought to the 2008 Automobiles of Amelia presented by RM Auctions. It has a four-cylinder engine with twin SU carburetors and a displacement size of 1250 cc. There is a four-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel hydraulic nine-inch drum brakes. The car was offered without reserve and estimated to fetch between $20,000 - $30,000. This car was one of the last to be auctioned out of list of vehicles that numbered over 100. The high bid was lower than expected, but still a reasonable price, at $15,400 including buyer's premium.

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.