1950 MG TD

Morris Garage produced sports cars from 1924 until 2005, and early on they fostered a reputation for their two-seat sports cars that epitomized the British sports car experience. In 1936, MG introduced its T-Series cars with styling that would go on to define a sports car. The T-Series would be built through five different generations including nearly 30,000 examples of the MG TD built between 1950 and 1953. The MG TC roadster was the first to market after World War II and was sold through the end of the 1940s. With right-hand drive configuration and a suspension from the 1930s, the TC was ripe for a redesign by 1950. Syd Enever and Alec Hounslow modified the existing Y-Type Touring box-section chassis frame and widened the chassis by five inches, resulting in the birth of the MG TD roadster. With the U.S. market in mind, the TD was offered with left-hand drive configuration, an improved rack and pinion steering, smaller, 15-inch steel disc wheels, more substantial bumpers, and an independent coil spring front suspension. The independent front end necessitated a switch from traditional wire-spoked wheels to smaller diameter steel discs (15-inch wheels rather than the 19-inch of the TC). More powerful front brakes with twin leading shoes were installed along with a hypoid rear axle.

The MG TD was wider and heavier than the preceding TC, along with being quieter and offering a significantly smoother ride. The TD's weather protection, however, continued to be the classic side curtains. Power was from the reliable 1,250cc XPAG inline-four-cylinder motor delivering 54 horsepower and a top speed in the mid-70 mph range. In July 1951 the 1250cc XPAG engine was improved with the fitment of a new block; sump; bell-housing and flywheel in order to accommodate a larger clutch. Cars built with these updates were given the engine number prefix of TD2 and have subsequently become known as TD2 models. (The changeover occurred at engine number XPAG/TD2/9408.) The TD2 should not be confused with the MG TD MK II, as the TD2 used a single SU carburetor, single fuel pump, and standard-ratio 4-speed gearbox.

The TD's body and modified Y-Type chassis resulted in more interior space than its predecessor while retaining the sporting character associated with the T-series, including a folding windscreen, full instrumentation, and minimal ornamentation. Several changes were introduced between August and November 1952 including circular rear lamps with flashing turn signals, and the previous 2-bow frame being replaced by a 3-bow frame for the fold-down hood. Additionally, the windscreen wiper motor was moved to the center rather than the side of the windscreen.

Of the circa-30,000 MG TD's produced, 23,488 were exported to the United States between 1949 and 1953, with the vast majority in left-hand drive configuration. Although the TD was similar in appearance to the TC, it was a much different vehicle and the first MG built in both left and right-hand drive configurations. It was much stronger than its predecessor and the first production MG sports car to employ an independent coil-sprung front suspension.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2022