1947 MG TC Roadster

The first MG T-Series Midget was the TA of 1936. It had the classic lines of its successor, the J2. The TC midget was announced late in 1945 and based on the 1250cc XPAG-powered Model TB. It had an improved suspension incorporating Luvax-Girling hydraulic damper, a widened body (by 4 inches), and a top speed of around 78 mph. Many of the 10,000 examples produced up to the end of 1949 found customers in the United States.

On July 17th of 1947, the Kent County Constabulary purchased this particular TC new from Messrs Gatward & Sons Ltd., of Sandling Road, Maidstone. It was registered under British License plate JKR411, and would spend the next 15 months as a civil servant on the Kent Count, Police Force where it was collected from the Abingdon works.

The Kent County Police Department used the TC for duty in the traffic division.

This Model TC has spent the majority of its life in the United Kingdom, where its last UK registration expired on March 31st of 2007. Before it came to the United States, it was given a total nut-and-bolt concours level restoration to original police specification - including its Winkworth Police bell and removable 'POLICE' identification signs.

This TC is currently finished in black and red livery. It has a comprehensive history file including the original TC owner's manual, original UK ownership log book, Kent County's purchase and subsequent sales records, letter of provenance from the Chief Superintendent of the Kent County Constabulary, tool kit and jack, Police 'STOP' hand sign, first aid kit, and a 1/43 scale K & R model of the car.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2016