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 Dan Vaughan

History of MG TD 0653

Roadster

This is car number TD 0653 and came off the production line in Abingdon on February 6, 1950 and was the 402nd TD manufactured. It is also one of only 149 Right Hand Drive cars produced for the home market (England) in 1950 and was registered in Cambridge (JE) with license BJE 131.

As a very early TD it had solid steel wheel, different from the perforated steel wheel found on most TD's.

In September 1968 it was purchased from an MG dealer in Huntingdon, England by a US Airman stationed at the RAF base in Alconbury for the sum of 190 pounds. At the end of his tour he shipped the car to Duluth Minnesota (July 1970). Most information prior to its purchase in 1968 has not been found, although the MG Dealer in Huntingdon stated the car had been used for racing in the late 1950's and early 1960's.

The car remained in Minnesota, and changed owners a number of times. The current owner purchased the car in Minnesota in December 1979 and began what turned out to be a 22 year ground-up restoration project. The car was finally completed in the spring of 2002 and put on the road in its new home of Seneca, SC.

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 an 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 equipment but with a 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 its 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.

by Dan Vaughan