1953 MG T-Series

TDC Convertible

1250cc original engine

Manual

TDC 23203

Clear

Gasoline

Here is a unique opportunity to purchase an unrestored but well maintained numbers matching competition model TD. This vehicle is mostly in original condition and at no point has it undergone a restoration, just maintained to keep it roadworthy. The interior is all original save for the back seat cover that I purchased from Moss. I have replacement seat covers for the buckets but since purchasing the car in 2008 I have strived to continue to keep it as original as possible, hence I did not replace all the seat covers. The front covers are stained and cracked but perfectly usable. The car retains most of the original carpet and lagging. For those MG experts out there, even the black tape that is pinned to the wood shelf at the back around the wheel arches and side curtain box is original. There’s even an oil change sticker dated 1962 on the door pillar! The felt inside the side curtain box has been replaced. Mechanically, the car is in perfect shape and judging by the history of the car, the odometer reading of 34,200 is presumed accurate. I purchased the car from the family of the second owner, who had been an MG dealer in Ohio. He had sold the car new in 1953, took it in as a trade in 1960, and kept it. Eventually, the car ended up in the Florida Keys in the care of the dealer’s daughter. The original owner accessorized the car when new. These accessories included Borelli wire wheels, Lucas fog lamps, bumper reflectors, front bumper extender bar, extra chrome (horns and pancake air filters,) additional fender protectors, luggage rack, wind wings, grab handles, quick release radiator cap etc. All the chrome is in wonderful/original condition save for a little peeling underneath the front bumper. I was told that during long lay ups in the 1960s mineral oil was used on the chrome to preserve it. In the past three years, thousands of dollars have been spent bringing the car back to perfect mechanical condition. Repairs were needed due to many years of storage. Work included new piston rings, valves and crankshaft. Also, the carbs, brakes, cooling system (new hoses and professional radiator clean) and the electrical system were gone through and items replaced only as needed. This included a new starter and dynamo. I kept the originals for repair someday. The original wiring loom is in perfect shape and only the wire connectors in the lights and under the dash have been replaced. New whitewalls, (the originals were all black and I have one of the car's original Dunlop tires and that is included in the sale,) a stainless steel exhaust and a new tonneau were installed three years also.The rubber is all original and is cracked in some places. Everything works perfectly including the heater, which too has been serviced and new hoses installed. As for the paint, all the body shell and one fender and hood sides have original factory paint. The paint has many imperfections as you would expect with a car this age. In fact the original paint is in better shape than the repainted sections.The car is perfectly presentable as is. This car has never been taken apart and the wood is in perfect shape. The doors close properly with a nice “clunk” and there is no sag or movement in the door posts.. This TD is rare as only 1,022 competition models were built and for this TD model year only, they changed the MG lettering on the grille badge from brown to black. It has the four extra Andrex shocks, larger carbs (1.5 inches) and twin fuel pumps. The saddle strap on the hood was installed by the first owner during the brief time he raced it. The hood side panels were removed when new and boxed and they were only put back on the car when I bought it, hence the side panels are original paint. All the work under my ownership (except tires and exhaust) was performed by an MG repair garage and I have the receipts for all the work. Included with the sale is a history of the car, original tool kit and manuals. The family of the second owner can be contacted for verification purposes. Body type 22381 Body No. 22539/9881 MG Car # TDC/23203 EXL/NA Engine # XPAG/ TD3/23607 On Sep-18-12 at 14:22:24 PDT, seller added the following information:Please note: I've noticed that some bidders are from out of the USA. I will not sell outside the USA as I do want to get involved with shipping etc. Thank you for your understanding. The car has the original black top and the side curtains appear never to have been used.