Real or Replica? 1951 MG TD
Nearly every example of MG’s venerable TD model seems to have found a way to survive until today. It is also true that the umpteen millions of MG TD replicas, all believed to be on VW Beetle chassis, have managed to escape the junkyard until today. Pictures of a ready-to-restore MG TD and a replica covered in dust and grime can also appear very similar at first glance. When faced with an ad for an MG TD at a reasonable price, like what we see with this supposed 1952 model, what can you do to ensure the car is the real deal? Let’s take a CIA photo analyst’s approach to this car and see if we can tell if it is real or a replica.
The story of MG’s sports cars is one you have read about frequently here. These simply constructed yet robust little roadsters were the first taste of sports cars for many an American. As time went on, the MG TC, TD, and TF never really became what we would call “used cars.” Collectors all over the world have sought out these cars since they were new. Some were restored, some are still on the road, but many were secreted away with the best of intentions. While we do not know when this car was imprisoned, we do know that it was kept in long-term storage and is an Arizona car currently residing in New York.
The seller also tells us that this period of entombment was “dry storage.” That is significant not just to assure us that the rust that is the bane of convertibles has been held at bay. It is also a positive when you consider that an MG TD was built what was the “old fashioned way” even in 1951. It used body-on-frame construction in an era when unibody cars were beginning to appear in showrooms. Even more antique was the way the body itself was constructed. A wooden skeleton made up the core of the body while the body panels were attached to it. This wood, which was common on domestically produced cars before 1940, tended to rot. Restoring a car with rotten wood is a challenge, both in deed and in cost.
It is the wood you see above, combined with the funky steering wheel and cheap gauges, that gives me pause about this car. Thousands of MG TD replicas were built decades after production of the original car ended. Some are obvious fakes, while others were finished out to a high level of detail. I believe all of them were on VW Beetle chassis. We do not have engine pictures, and cannot discern if a VW exhaust is peeking out of the posterior of this car. A lot of the bits and pieces look to be original MG though. What do you think about this car? Is it a legitimate MG TD? Is it a replica? Please share your thoughts and the reasoning behind them in the comments.
If you are willing to gamble on airfare or for an in-person inspection by an appraiser, then this 1951 MG TD for sale on Facebook Marketplace in Galway, New York, maybe a real deal. With an asking price of $3,500, this Arizona car fresh out of long-term storage has the potential to be a great project.
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Comments
SOLD.
FWIW, in looking at the photos one big thing JDLR-the clutch pedal is missing because it’s an automatic transmission.
Let’s see if it gets relisted..
I don’t think the replicas had the holes in the bumper and grille cowling for a hand crank shaft…I think this is the Real McCoy.
Appears to be a true TD, abet with a cheesy wooden dash. An odd gas pedal makes me question whether it might have had a drivetrain swap at some point. FYI, automatic transmission is the default setting for Facebook Marketplace ads.
This looks like a hybrid – a genuine TD body with a different dash and gauges, and if the transmission is indeed an automatic, chances are pretty good the engine is something else, too.
This ad really confuses me. Perhaps someone out there in barn finds land can explain to me why in the world would someone advertise this thing for sale without mentioning the running gear. One of the strangest things that I have seen in a long while.
I recall Pinto engines were sometimes installed with an automatic transmission. The tail lights look stock as do the straps for the fuel (petrol. Ha, ha, ha) tank. I recall the ends of the fuel tanks had chrome trim which looks like this car has. As already noted, there are holes in the front bumper and grill housing for a hand crank. The instrument panel is also lacking a glove box and I can’t quite see if there’s a knob that is pulled to start the engine. Even for $3500, it could be a fun toy and parts are generally available for them. I believe Moss Motors was a big provider, but I recall that company was bought out when the owners decided to retire.
Real MG TD, re-powered with another engine and auto trans, with hideous instruments and dash. Sold, by the way!
The best way to tell the replicas is that there are obvious bonnet latches just below the top panels, not down low as on a real TD. Imagine Moss Motors’ embarrassment a few years ago, when their sports car magazine had a picture of a bunch of TD’s – yes, they were all VW replicas…
Tom Lange
Ha, ha, ha. Replica TDs.
Not only that, but I forgot to mention that they were on the COVER!
Not all were built on VW ‘s .The British replicas were built to take later MGB drive train and several the TR6
I have a 1952 MG / TD / R and have looked at many of them also real ones . The placement of the windshield wipers , the tail lights and the interior seats and the wheels appear to be real MG However the gauges , the dash with no glove box and the steering wheel leads me to believe replica so with all that and the fact that they do not show the exhaust or the motor, I will go with a replica , However they did put other drivetrains and motors in them besides VWs … and you can buy real parts and put on your replica , I do it all of the time !! That is a good price if its a replica and a REAL good price if it turns out to be a real MG !! I have Never seen The windshield wipers above the Windshield on a Replica ??????
Chassis is real MG. Wheels are TD along with the fuel tank. No telling what’s under the hood and the dash obviously isn’t stock.