Alphabet Soup with the MG TD

There’s some disappointment to report with the fantastic auction find book, I’m sad to say.  I was all ready to flip to the page featuring the MG T-type only to discover that apparently, somebody has absconded with that section.  I’ve got just about every other MG available in the mid 1900’s but no T-series.  The entire section is just gone. The only proof that it was ever there to begin with is the promise of the T-series chapter on the index page for the MG section.  Crap!

I think we still deserve a T-series MG today, so I’m not going to let a little setback like this wreck our fun.  Buckle up, and away we go.

The T-series MGs included in order, the TA, TB, TC, TD, and TF.  Each one was an improvement over its previous iteration, though for the most part they all looked the same outwardly.  They featured upright grilles, swoopy fenders that were separate pieces from the rest of the body, and cutaway doors.  They looked kind of like miniature Duesenbergs with their roadster drop top and elongated hoods, which is to say, they’re styled like an old school automobile.  The ones we’re looking at today are both Tds, which were made between late 1949 and 1953.  The red one is an early edition of the TD -a 1949, and the black one is at my favorite place to gawk at vehicles, Ellingson Classic Cars, and it’s a 1951.  Both are cute little roadsters that are fun to drive on a basic level… and that’s about all they've got going for them -which still counts for a lot, by the way.

A T-type MG is a very basic and rudimentary vehicle when you’re talking about options.  Here’s a short compilation of things that you DON’T get with a TD:

1) Fuel gauge.  Nope, you’ll just have to guess how much gas is in the tank.  There is a light that flashes to warn when you’re down to 3 gallons, but beyond that, you really just need to get to know what the range on a TD is like and plan fill ups accordingly.  Of course, as the owner of a much later MG, I can attest that having a fuel gauge supplied by British Leyland is just about the same as having none at all, because it doesn’t work.  The problem is in the sending unit back at the gas tank, but replacing that is a crap shoot.  I’ve replaced mine only to find that the second, brand new sending unit was crap, too.

2) Temp/water gauge.  No sirree-Bob.  You should be able to tell when you‘re overheating by the steam pouring forth from the radiator and the fact that you’ve broken down at the side of the road.  MG figures that’s good enough.

3) Disc Brakes -Uh uh.  Drum brakes all around on these babies.  Hope you don’t need to stop too fast, because that’s not gonna happen.

4)  Heater.  No heat in these cars.  Just wear a sweater or something, Jeez!

Here’s what you do get though:  a 1250cc (1.3L) 4 cylinder engine that whips up between 54 and 57 HP depending on if you’ve got one of the later TDs or not, a car with a top speed of 77 MPH, not that you should attempt to hit that number in one of these, rear wheel drive, and Edwardian styling...  All on a car that you ought not to drive in anything less than ideal weather.  That rag top isn’t all that tight for separating you from the elements.  If it’s cold outside, it’s going to be cold inside the MG thanks to a lack of heater.  You also get to perform weekly maintenance, which is what these cars demand to keep in good, running order.  Heaven forbid you should ever be involved in an accident in one of these.  That steering column is not any type of safe, collapsible design.  In a head on collision, it forms a kind of spear that can pierce the driver’s thorax, given enough force to propel it back - which won’t take much, because this car isn't designed with crumple zones in mind or the survival of its occupants.  It’s just over 1,900 pounds of cute little British car, and aside from its looks, the best thing it has to offer is its quirky disposition -which will eventually start to grind on owners who expect it to actually start in the morning.

Getting a TD for one’s self these days will entail a bit of cash, but the range is all over the place.  An unrestored, but functional and complete 1952 specimen is listed for $6,500 on Hemmings, but that price can climb up to $32,000 for one practically show room ready yet unrestored with only 8,700 miles on it, or $45,000 for one that’s museum quality.  The Ellingson TD in black is listed for $26,950.  Most TDs you’re likely to come across will cost in the mid teens.

These are sweet looking little cars, but unless you’re ga-ga over the styling, I’d recommend an MGA, the replacement for the T-types.  Its styling was definitely early-60’s cool with a bit of deco, and they’re better cars, too.  You know, they've got "luxury" options like heaters and fuel gauges and all that good stuff. That’s personal opinion though, which I’m entitled to on my blog.  I will say that it would be nice to have a TD to take out for a Sunday drive on the Parkway, nice and slow on a mild day.