Garage Find: 1953 MG TD Survivor
While we deal with inflation every time we step into a grocery store, deflation seems to have set in for certain classic automobiles. Early MGs had quite a following at one time, and prices reflected that. Now, it appears that the tables have turned. Take for example this 1953 MG TD for sale on eBay in Bakersfield, California. Garage kept since 1973 and last driven in 1988, this well-preserved and highly original milestone MG is currently sitting with a starting bid of $7,700 with two days to go. The most remarkable part of this car’s story is that this low starting price has attracted zero bidders. Why? Can you see a problem with the car from the pictures?
We all know by now the story of how GIs in England during World War II fell in love with sports cars. Compared to the Detroit iron that they were used to, a spindly MG must have seemed like it was from another planet. After the war, a few enterprising folks started importing MGs, Triumphs, and many other types of sports cars. Sales were slow at first to a small but steadily growing US market. As the gospel spread, sales began to take off. Ten years after the war ended, US manufacturers had entered the fray in an attempt to enter this market segment.
However, it was the British that seemed to have the affordable sportscar recipe perfected. It wasn’t long before customers in the United States were the biggest market for British sports cars. Sports car races sprang up in such diverse locations as New England towns and Air Force bases. Those races happened thanks to Curtis LeMay, who, as Chief of Staff of the USAF and a sports car aficionado, opened the bases for racing. Those who weren’t interested in racing entertained themselves with gymkhanas and touring. Even MG, never a company of rapid development, began making changes to their cars in an evolutionary fashion to respond to the needs of the American market.
The primary offering in America was the T-Series. These jaunty little sports cars looked very much like an offering from the mid-1930s. With a set of full fenders and, from the TA to the TC, wire wheels, they were at once a throwback and the future. A throwback in that they looked just plain old fashioned, and the future in that they established more than any other car a sports car market in America. The T-Series ended in 1955 with the TF, which would be soon followed by the more modern appearing MGA. 
The car you see here is a very well-preserved example of MG’s TD. Produced from 1950 through 1953, the TD was a rather dramatic evolutionary improvement over its predecessor, the TC. Gone were the beautiful wire wheels, and new for 1950 were a set of modern steel wheels, a hypoid rear axle, independent front suspension, and an option to put the steering wheel on the left-hand side in a direct attempt to grab market share in America. Sales, as you would imagine, improved dramatically once the steering wheel was on the side God intended it to be, giving the marque a foothold on the American continent that it would last until the early eighties.
If you are looking for an example of an early sportscar to enjoy at a reasonable asking price, then this MG may be just the ticket. The seller tells us that the vehicle was purchased by their father-in-law in 1973. According to the story, the purchase was made in Fresno, California and the car was promptly driven to Reedly, California to be stored in a garage. The seller then purchased the car in 1986, drove it to Bakersfield, and stored it in a garage yet again. We are told that the car has not been driven since 1988, but everything operated as it should on its last jaunt. The brakes are now in need of service, but the car is original except for the tires.
While it is sad to see the lack of interest in such a milestone automobile, there is an opportunity here for someone looking to understand early sportscars in America. As long as the wood in the body isn’t damaged and the engine turns over, this car could be back on the road in short order. Only then could the new owner understand what it was like to drive such a car with the wind in their hair. MGs of this vintage were one of the big steps toward making the sports car movement a permanent part of American culture. This car deserves to be back on the road putting smiles on the faces of the driver, the passenger, and whoever catches a glimpse of it going down a back road.
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Comments
We owned a ’53 and it was fun on wheels. Traded a Porsche 356 for it in Lamar, CA and drove it over the mountains to Nevada at night in the rain. Quite an adventure and quite a car.
You usually read of an MG being traded in on a Porsche.
Already had two more Porsches left so the trade didn’t hurt us. The first new year’s night we took the MG and a bottle of campaign up to the top of the local land fill to watch the new year’s sunrise. It just wouldn’t have been the same in a Porsche coupe.
This was my MGTD and I was the one who sold it in Fresno. It is a very special MG and I recognized when I saw its picture without even reading the article!!!
Nice to look at but compared to later MGs, these things drive like a bag of nails, no matter how good the condition of the suspension. I’ll take an MGB GT or MGC GT over one of these any day.
I think the reason these beautiful classic MGs aren’t worth much is because they were classics when they were new, and they never ended up in junkyards. Everybody saved them from the wrecking ball, and now they’re all still in existence. I remember going to junkyards in LA in the ’60s to buy parts for Triumphs, MGAs, AHs, etc, but never saw any MGTDs in the yards.
I can see a few issues with this one. Steering wheel is shot. Rear view mirror is missing glass. Seals in gauges are gone. And take a look at paint. The fenders on one side are a different shade of green indicating fresher paint. That would suggest body work. Was car damaged, or rusted on that side. Most likely an accident. So then, what is frame like. Was it damaged? Without detailed close look, you already know you may have issues that may require a lot of money to fix.
Why? Can you see a problem with the car from the pictures? Yes, Jeff, the wooden plank under the left front wheel tells me plenty. Lovely little MG for the price so far. Maybe the first to bid will be the one to own it.
The wooden plank’s just ahead of the tyre; a safety precaution to prevent the car rolling forward into the corvette ahead of it no doubt. Car looks unmolested otherwise.
Someone will wake up and bid this up. Looks underpriced. I had a ‘52. Other MG’s would flash their headlights if you did . A friendly bunch.
Why? Can you see a problem with the car from the pictures? Yes Jeff, the plank under the left front tyre doesn’t breed a lot of confidence. Great little car though. I drove one many years ago and it felt like I was on roller skates, the next car was a TD and that was much better.
This IS a TD.
I suggest that downward value of T series MG’s is both age of people who want one, (older, mostly) and also the large “been there, done that” range of survivor, restored, racing, and restomod examplesT series cars.
Yet I still want one!
If you know a neat little program called Bangers and Cash from the UK, this is a common comment from them (they auction 4000 classic cars every year). There is a certain age demographic of classic cars that are dropping in price because the older guys that have cared for them for a several decades are dying and that age of car simply does not interest younger collectors. They will always find homes but not at high prices. For the $7.700 that this is up to as I post, you can get a smashing MGA, MGB or MGB GT etc. More fun to drive and easier to maintain and can nearly keep up with modern city traffic speeds.
This was MY 53′ MGTD and I sold it in Fresno after being in our family for 20+ years. Always garaged, seldom driven. Totally original ad you can see. My dad looked at several before buying this one as it was well taken care of beforehand. Too small for me and I used the money to buy a new 77′ Triumph Spitfire (mistake…junk).
Wow no bids! US $7,700.00
0 bids Ended Friday, 05:39 PM
Drive one and the excitement goes away. Just nice to look at!
I’m “you know what” deep in the restoration of a 48 TC. Nice ones still hold their value but “projects”, not quite as much. Many of these cars are in need of their 2nd [or even 3rd] restoration. I view the TC a lot like a Model A. In fact with the metal on wood frame construction they’re not that dissimilar. The TC is without a doubt pre-war construction whereas the TD and TF are much more “modern” construction. Different suspension, steering etc.. In fact you would think they were built by different companies. good news is, parts availability is still pretty good with a healthy aftermarket.
I remember when dad loaded up his 51TD with 4 adults and 3 kids (I was one of the kids), and tooled down Lamar Blvd. in Austin for a fun ride. Ended up getting a ticket from the “fuzz”!
We had lots of fun in that car, but with dad’s mechanical spasticity it was more than he could handle after a while. He traded it for a’56 VW with the sunroof.
Now THAT was a great car!!