1951 MG T-Series

TD Roadster

4 Cylinder Mitsubishi engine

5 Speed Mitsubishi

TD/8172

Clear

Gasoline

MG TD - Stalled Mitsubishi Drive Train Transplant TD/8172 came off the assembly line on June 8, 1961 as a left hand drive car manufactured for export to North America. It was shipped from England to the US and sold by Fergus Motors on Broadway in NYC. The Fergus plaque on the car says that the car was Fergus Stock No. 13237. A bit of history about Fergus can be found here: https://morganhistoryinfo.sharepoint.com/Pages/FergusMotorsNewYork.aspx Manufacture of the car was early enough that it has the flat faced gauges similar to those found in a TC, but late enough that it has a roll hoop under the scuttle that helps stiffen the frame. TD’s with flat faced gauges are relatively rare as they were earlier in the production run so fewer have survived, and only around 32% of total production made for the North America market had flat faced gauges. There is something magic about driving a car through the deep twilight with the green illuminated flat faced gauges on the dash, and the red “King of the Road” buttons glowing on top of the wing lights. More about the manufacturing history of the TD can be found here: http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgtd/mgtd_production.htm At some point the original vinyl covered dash was replaced with a custom wood dash that looks to be made of solid mahogany, have places for enough gauges for a rally car, and a cutout for the sort of classic radio now available from Moss Motors and other. After 15 years and 28,935 miles on the odometer, the car was parked. The last time the car was registered was November of 1966. So it has been off the road for 46 years. Mileage this light, less than 2,000 per year, usually indicates that the car was only used in the summer on the weekends for jaunts down the back roads that still existed in New Jersey at the time. The previous owner of this car began the process of installing a 4 cylinder Mitsubishi engine, transmission and drive train in order to have an MG TD with better performance and greater reliability. Alas, the project stalled, getting as far as changing over the rear end, trial fitting the engine and transmission to see if they would fit between the frame rails, and then stopped. What we are left with is the Mitsubishi engine and transmission tack welded in the car at an angle, a Mitsubishi drive shaft and rear end, and the rest of a very restorable MG TD. The transplant could be completed, or the Mitsubishi engine and transmission could be removed, and an MG engine and transmission sourced and installed. The car was purchased for parts, but upon inspection, was too nice to take apart. It would be nice to restore the car, by either completing the Mitsubishi transplant, or sourcing a TD engine from those that appear on eBay and then head for the back roads for a spirited drive. On the other hand, I have too many projects already, so here it is for sale, and you can decide what to do. You could follow the very detailed and excellent instructions in Host Shach’s restoration guide, “The Complete MG TD Restoration Manual,” and take it to a concours, where it would probably garner some attention because of the flat faced gauges. Or make it a wonderful driver either by completing the Mitsubishi transplant, or sourcing a TD XPAG motor. Please look carefully at the photographs as they show everything that comes with the car. The only things not shown in the photos that come with the car are a complete TD rear end, and three TD wheels with tires. As you can see, the car is currently stored in a barn, and could honestly be called a barn find. Some details about the car: The car has a clear NJ title that can be transferred. Based on the lack of serious rust on the underside of the car, it does not appear that the car was driven when there was salt on the roads. However, based on the condition of the top, and surface rust where water would collect, it appears that the car was parked outside for some period of time. The front wings (fenders) appear to have little to no rust. However, the left wing has a dent, and the right wing has a tear that could be easily repaired by welding. The scuttle has surface rust on each side where the windshield mounts were attached. On the right side, this rust appears to have perforated the scuttle and rust repairs will be needed There is surface rust in a strip across the back of the top where the top of the gas tank was located. The left rear wing (fender) appears to have a small dent in the bottom inside corner by the frame. The frame rail (tube) at the transmission has been modified to allow clearance for the Mitsubishi transmission. If a TD transmission or aftermarket 5 speed is installed, this modification will need to be reversed. Engine mounts have been added for the Mitsubishi engine. These may need to be relocated to straighten the engine, and will need to be removed if a TD XPAG engine is installed. The hood (convertible top) has pretty well completely given up the ghost, but the support bows appear to be in good shape. As with any car that has been off the road for 46 years there are inevitably parts that have gone missing. I have tried to take pictures of everything that is on the car, and all the loose parts that come with the car. Not shown in the photographs is a complete TD rear end, and three TD wheels with tires. Aside from these parts, if it is not in the photos, it has been lost to the mists of time. Many additional photos can be found on the SmugMug photo site at: http://www.photoplace.com/Miscellaneous/MG-TD-Stalled-Mitsubishi/ Inspections of the vehicle are invited, and even encouraged. Please contact me to make arrangements. Pick up and shipping is the buyer’s responsibility. The car is being sold as-is, where-is, and carries no warranty for usability or serviceability either expressed or implied. Purchase is at the buyer’s risk. Sales are final. A $100 deposit is required within 72 hours after the auction’s end. On Nov-04-14 at 16:20:40 PST, seller added the following information: In answer to some questions: All the parts that are shown laid out on the concrete floor in the photos are included with the car in this auction. The other cars you can see in the background of some of the photos are not included in the auction and are not for sale at this time. The race car may be offered in a future auction. The engine turns over, and has oil in the sump. I have not tried to start it. The car rolls freely. On Nov-05-14 at 13:43:36 PST, seller added the following information: Please note that TD/8172 came off the assembly line on June 8, 1951, not 1961. The 1961 at the beginning of the item description is a typo. Sorry for the fat fingers.