1954 MG TF

The MG TF was an updated version of the TD, continuing the quintessential British Sports Car look, and among the most successful and influential sports car of the era. The pre-war look was the source of the company's success after World War II, along with its ease, simplicity, and affordable price. They were superseded in April of 1955 by the MGA. Over a two-year production lifespan, exactly 9,602 units were built.

The T-Series began in 1936 with the TA. After World War II came to an end, the TC was followed by the TD in 1949, intended for the U.S. market. It brought improved handling and, for the first time, left-hand drive. The TF was introduced in late 1953 and came with additional power from the larger 1,466cc 'XPEG' engine. It had better handling and refined styling with a new bonnet and integrated headlamps. There were a sloping hood line and a raked grille, along with pre-war styling cues such as the fold-flat screen. Stopping power was provided from Lockheed Hydraulic brakes.

Road & Track noted, 'after last year's test we asked if the TF was really that good. It is, and more. Even though the MG is the lowest-priced sports car on the market, it is the accepted standard of comparison.'

The 1954 MG TF two-door roadster had a base price of $2,200 and its inline, overhead-valve four-cylinder engine had a cast-iron block and head, two SU carburetors, solid valve lifters, three main bearings, an 8.0:1 compression. It developed 57.5 horsepower at 5,500 RPM and 65 ft-lb of torque at 5,500 RPM. The XPAG engine had three additional horsepower than its predecessor. The engine was backed by a four-speed manual transmission with a standard final drive ratio of 4.875:1. Additional gear ratios were available including 5.125:1 or 4.55:1. Stopping power was by hydraulic drums in the front and rear.

The construction of the TF was similar to the previous models, employing a wooden skeleton frame with steel body panels. Styling changes were minimal mostly focusing on the front and rear of the car including shorter louvers on the side of the vehicle, and the hood sides were fixed in place. The center-hinged top section could be opened by pushbuttons located on both sides of the hood.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster

The TF is widely regarded as the most graceful and desirable of all the T-Series by MG aficionados. But it was roundly criticized in its day as being too little too late. Generally the TF is little more than a TD with revised styling at each end and slightly more power. The hood sloped more sharply to a smaller, newly raked radiator flanked by re-profiled fenders with flared in headlamps. The interior featured a new gauges shaped in MG's trademark octagon instead of circles, and wire wheels were again available.

Roadster

Morris Garages began building sports cars in the 1920s under the direction of Cecil Kimber, who'd been hired by William Morris of sales manager to soon become general manager of Morris' dealerships. After World War II, MG resumed production with its TC, which had no heater, rigid axles and used ash wood to join body panels. But the cars were fun to drive and popular with American military personnel.

MG designed the TC's successor, the TD, with Americans in mind, and in 1953 launched the TF, with integrated headlamps and bucket seats, in exactly the same vein. This thoroughly restored 1954 TF has made trips in recent years to MG meets from Canada, all along the West Coast, and to Arizona.

Roadster
Chassis number: HDC46/3348
Engine number: XPAG/TF/33449

This 1954 MG TF has spent 22 years in a barn in Kansas before it was rediscovered and underwent a three-year restoration that was only recently completed.

British sports car maker MG produced the TF from 1953 through 1955. The car was the last in its traditional sports car lineup, which could be traced back to before World War II.

Roadster

Many MG aficionados consider the TF to be the best driving and most desirable of the T series automobiles. The TF is a refined version of its predecessor, the TD, with a bit more horsepower and subtle changes to the car's front and rear.

The TF series was in production from 1953-55.

The original MG marque remained in continuous production for 56 years, following its introduction in 1924-25. The name comes from Morris Garages, an Oxford (England) dealer of Morris motorcars.

In 1952, MG was absorbed into the British Motors Corporation, which included the Austin Motor Company.

The MG TF is powered by an in-line, 1250cc four-cylinder motor that produces approximately 57 horsepower.

Roadster

This 1954 MG TF Roadster was purchased new in Brussels, Belgium by an American serviceman who brought the car home to the United States after his tour was completed. The original owner maintained the car for more than 50 years, during which time a thorough restoration was performed. This particular example is one of only 1,876 finished in black by the factory, and features a biscuit interior with a beige folding convertible top. Powered by its numbers-matching engine, this MG TF presents wonderfully.

Roadster
Chassis number: HPD46/5454
Engine number: XPAG/TF/35436

This 1954 MG TF was acquired by David Shelburne in 1988 from Dick Accountis out of Pataskala, OH. The car has participated in the 1990 Circuit of Britain and the 1996 Run Around the Rock, in Newfoundland, Canada. Its 1,250cc MG overhead-valve four-cylinder engine has two SU carburetors and develops approximately 58 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual transmission, an independent front suspension, a live rear axle, and four-wheel drum brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

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