Off Road Since ’71: 1952 MG TD
Is there a more iconic sports car than the MG TD? Well, for a time, this was basically the four-wheeled membership card to any sports car club you wished, but the torch may have been passed from the classic open-top MG to newer cars with more modern performance and creature comforts. Still, there’s something comforting about a TD, like a golden retriever or a worn baseball glove: it just feels right knowing you have it besides you. Should this TD be restored? Check it out here on Facebook Marketplace in Akron, Ohio for $3,500.
The passage of time is obviously an aspect of life that’s unavoidable, but as it relates to old cars and trucks, it’s also a useful yard stick for how car culture has evolved. There was a time when an adolescent male would have dreamed of owning a TD, recognizing it was the ultimate expression of open-road optimism and top-down excitement. Now? It’s a certified antique, likely only appealing to those who grew up fantasizing about owning one.
I try to tell older collectors that they need to unload certain cars and trucks before it’s too late, especially as generations shift and certain eras of enthusiasts hang up their driving gloves for good. Will this TD appeal to a 20 year-old gearhead? I have a hard time believing even the most nostalgic of the next generation will find much to love about a rusty, forgotten British roadster, especially one that needs total restoration.
This TD has supposedly been parked since 1971 and is “complete” as far as having an engine and transmission. The seller reports that he has the top and frame, and the simple construction indicates there’s not much else missing aside from an errant fender skirt. Of course, the drivetrain will need to be completely refreshed and the interior restored, not to mention fixing the surface rust and replacing anything made of rubber. Is this a labor of love worth taking on, or has this TD become a parts car?
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Comments
“TD”,,top down,,never made that connection. You know, maybe it’s my mom in me, who died 11 years ago the other day, ( not the old man) who sees this as a sad reminder of some chap, who either bought this new and never came back from that OTHER POS war( Korea), or,,,a vet from WW2, who finally made enough money to buy this. These cars only appealed to a certain group, mostly GIs that saw them overseas, it didn’t take long and the fun began. Instead of bombs and tanks going that way,, ocean freighters were bringing in boat loads of MGs coming back this way.
This? sigh,,,clearly seen some use, and abuse, or neglect, but not driven since ’71, tells me, whoever had this, it didn’t fit their changing lifestyle, something finally sidelined it and it sat. Sadly, outside. Not unless someones kid or grandkid has a picture of their mom and dad, (or grandparents?) in a car like this, in the beginning of their lives, I just don’t see enough interest today and will continue to deteriorate. As a parts car, priceless, but to restore one is just too much investment for what you eventually get.
And many of these were left in the jungle of India by British occupation troops who couldn’t find repair parts while stationed there. So where was this one before 1971? I’m seeing this as a piece of furniture in a restaurant or general store, or as bait outside a back roads general store, rust and all.
In this car’s case I agree with Howard. Restoration doesn’t apply to this car. Reincarnation seems a better word. By the time you got through making this into a legitimate driving car you wouldn’t care any more. Too bad. These are fun cars.
Turbo Buick motor, black with a red leather interior and wire wheels.
errant fender skirt…?…
Great fun car. But this one. I looked up prices restored ones have sold for. For $16,000 you can have a nice turn key TD sitting in your garage.
Depending how much you are capable of, fixing this one will take that much and more. If you want to pay people to restore it, I can see the job costing many times market value.
I owned one many years ago. I was much younger and I loved it.
It pains me to see one in this bad of shape.
I agree Greg: I have actually seen some nice drivers sell in the $12 – $15K range. No way you could make this car a decent driver with a $10K investment
Anytime you have to dig it up/out it’s going to be a challenge and/or a true labour of love.
Way over priced for condition
Leave it where it is and make a planter out of it.
I have helped restore over 12 of these and a single friend and I restored one in two weeks by ourselves and then drove it to the local Dairy Queen for some ice cream cones the morning we were finished. These are about at simple at it gets to restore and I totally agree that anybody that takes this one on will do so as a labor of love. I will add one exception to that. This body has a wooden frame. If that is rotten you will need to get a replacement that are generally excellent in construction but are not cheap.
One other note while on local streets, around town and on back roads these are great fun on the highways and at high speeds above 55 these are much less pleasant. How you plan on using it will be a serious consideration. All the parts with very limited exceptions are available and a two car garage is all you need. The fact that it is bolt together means you can paint it in parts not needing a professional paint booth to get excellent results. (ASK ME HOW I KNOW) LOL but do wet the floor first for best results. One person can do this restoration, two are better and anything over 4 and you end up drinking too much beer.
I would say someone please save it. There never were enough of these in the first place and each one that is gone is a huge loss.
Tis pity, left to the elements! My first car was a’52 TD, yellow, with plaid top and spare tire cover. Traded it across for a 53 BelAir convertible. Wish I had kept both.
Of course it’s a labor of love. ‘ Can’t imagine any other reason for restoring it. But wow, what satisfaction! If you love the work, this one’s for you! I’m very tempted but my wife, reminding me that I already have four MGs, will step in and advise me against it. If the chassis has survived as much as 52 years in the grass (and mud?), it might be worth it. Otherwise, one is purchasing a very expensive title.
Time is money, we’re told, and if this takes a long time for a skillful home-restoration, it becomes relatively cheap recreation. Sure, you come out upside-down on the car – just like we come out upside-down on new cars. It’s part of the cost of that recreation. The only way I know to make money restoring cars is to restore something that will be extremely valuable once restored – six figures for certain.
I would love to tinker with the engin and get it running but the rest of me says to scrap it
Best to walk away and search for a more reasonable project.
Bruce, why does it matter if your friend was single? :) Anyway, I never understood the allure of these, even in the 80s. This is junk sold at the local scrapyard for $150 a ton or as someone else said, a planter.
My meaning was there was just the two of us. Not his marriage status. LOL. Sorry if that was confusing for you. And it was a great deal of fun. As for sold at the scrap yard the metal in these is thicker than you might think and while it looks terrible it is not that bad and with the exception of the fenders most of the sheet metal is largely flat with at most a single curve. Easy to replace or fix. As for not understanding the allure I guess you have never driven one. That is fine, drive something else but there are many that do enjoy the feel of an open car like this especially in the spring and fall times of the year.
You guys are just making it an even more attractive project:
“They said it couldn’t be done.”
“They said it shouldn’t be done.”
“They said it was junk.”
“But look at it now” (picture of pristine restoration).
I admit, it’s probably insane, but I am so-o-o-o tempted. Larry G: I don’t know your tastes/interests, but I’m sure there are projects out there that you would covet while I wouldn’t give them a second look. There’s something out there for every enthusiast, right? I don’t think I’d pay $3500 for it, but I’d probably be interested for half that.
junk
If I could rid myself of the three TR3 projects in an expensive storage unit, the Triumph Herald project in MY garage and the Mark II Sprite in my son’s garage, I would jump on this, even though I’m approaching 80 years of age. Yeah, I’m in the demographic that loved these but never owned one, and still have the skills and time to fix this one up.
I am the president of the local British car club which has MG in its name but my two running LBCs are both Triumphs (TR3A and TR7) and a TD would add to my street cred (LOL).
The “if” I started this with is a BIG one, and not likely to happen without help from other readers, more the pity. It would be a labour of love as has been previously stated, you can easily spend two to three times the value of one of these on even a semi-professional restoration, even if you can get the plating and painting done inexpensively (not bloody likely, mate!).
Total restoration would be too expensive. However at the right price this could still be great fun. Assuming everything mechanical needs work and you would like the car to be presentable , it can be done on a tiny budget. As you can afford it, if you do the work yourself.
I raced mine for over 30 years, never had a DNF.
Vintage sports car racing is an absolute blast in cars like this. It’s top speed won’t scare anyone who has been on a freeway and it’s perfect for a fun weekend of racing!!
No it’s not fast but it sure is fun. Go to an event where cars like this race each other.
The risk is to your face , smiles and laughs and camaraderie. Your face muscles eventually will start to hurt. With people who race these is just Fun. Big ego’s need not apply. Problems? Everyone in the group will do everything they can to help you race.
Race others to your own limits. But no contact!!! And you won’t get any either. Mutual respect and sore muscles from grinning!?!? What could be better?
Total restoration would be too expensive. However at the right price this could still be great fun. Assuming everything mechanical needs work and you would like the car to be presentable , it can be done on a tiny budget. As you can afford it, if you do the work yourself.
I raced mine for over 30 years, never had a DNF. This is the simplest car in the world to restore . Plenty of new parts are available.
Vintage sports car racing is an absolute blast in cars like this. It’s top speed won’t scare anyone who has ever been on a freeway and it’s perfect for a fun weekend of racing!!
No it’s not fast but it sure is fun. Go to an event where cars like this race each other.
The risk is to your face , smiles and laughs and camaraderie. Your face muscles eventually will start to hurt. With people who race these is just Fun. Big ego’s need not apply. Problems? Everyone in the group will do everything they can to help you race.
Race others to your own limits. But no contact!!! And you won’t get any either. Mutual respect and sore muscles from grinning!?!? What could be better?
Every since I convinced my Father to let me purchase a 1950 MG TD from one of his friends, I’ve wanted it back the day after I sold it. At 17 years old in 1962, it took me months to pay back the $500 he paid his friend for the car. The enjoyment I had restoring the used “driver”, was a wonderful experience. My Father wanted me to spend time restoring Model A Fords, as he did. After painting the MG a Ford Mustang color, turquoise with bright red vinyl interior and hand painted red grill insert and under fenders. The little MG was so much fun to drive and “rally” with. Even besting times on a local road course with friends in their Corvettes and Mustangs. Great memories !!!!!
I was 16, when folks bought me that ‘52 TD. Being a weasel, I put a lakes pipe on the exhaust system to bypass the muffler and make noise. Took it in for service, And the British mechanic took it off, and said it was not appropriate on an MG!
I would posit the TC as “more Iconic” than the TD, but maybe that’s just me…
I am curious as to what the underside looks like. how solid is it. what sitting on the ground for years.
There have been plenty of small block Chevy conversions. Jay Leno has one.
The Buick turbo has a couple of issues. While it’s a good engine the turbo makes it too wide for the narrow chassis. Plus EFI? While it can be mastered, it’s a whole other challenge many people are intimidated by.