MG TF 1954

History

A UK RHD car from new finish built from Abingdon 7-9 April 1954 dispatched to a dealer in Somerset 13 April 2954. Registered RYD 51

Sold new we are told by the widow of its owner from 1962 to an RAF Pilot who sold it to them in October of that year. This young couple ran the car during the sixties, including a continental trip in 1964. 

The arrival of their first child was accommodated by placing its carry cot on the sidescreen shelf but child no. 2 required the purchase of an A 35 in 1968. 

From documentary service and parts invoices that accompany the car, it would appear that by 1968 the engine was giving trouble and it was at this time we believe that its engineer owner fitted a full BMC ‘Gold Seal’ exchange engine. 

The spec plate on the engine confirms that the crankshaft is standard (i.e new) and the cylinder bores are +0.040 inches. Which gives a useful capacity increase to approx 1290 cc and a similar small increase in compression ratio from 7.25 to 1 to approx 7.5 to 1. 

The car was last MOT tested in April 1970 at an odometer reading of 79359. Some 300 miles later the owner took the car off the road and stored it in his garage intending to restore it.

Sadly, lack of time and mortality intervened and we acquired the car some 2 years ago from its dry storage. 

We decided that it would be sacrilege to strip the car down as it retained its excellent ‘as Abingdon built’ panel fit and body lines and as such we embarked upon a full recommission, service, tune and MOT programme. 

The Recommission 

1. New Body Tub Lower Outer Timbers With Repairs to A and B Door Posts

2. New Brake Shoes, Slave Cylinders Master Cylinder, Flexible Hoses, Solid Brake Pipes and Hand Brake Cables. 

3. New Old Stock Mild Steel Exhaust System (Sounds so much better than the modern ‘tinny’ reproductions)

4. Fully Restored Wheels with 5 New (period tread) Tyres and Hub Caps

5. Front Suspension and Steering Stripped, Rebuilt With Many New Parts As Required

6. Radiator flushed pressure tested refitted with all new water hoses 

7. New Engine Steady and Steering Column Universal Joint Bushes

8. New Battery And Cables 

9. New Engine Sundries, Plugs, HT Leads, Cap, Filter Dis Cap, etc.

10. Complete New Original Spec Wiring Harness

11. Restored/Recoloured Seats

12. New Carpets

13. New Screen 

14. New SU Fuel Pump And All New Fuel Pipes

15. Restored, Rejetted Carbs and Air Filter 

16. New Horn 

17. New Period Number Plates

18. New Dynamo, Control Box, Turn Signal Interrupter and Fuel Sender Unit 

Road Impressions 

The car drives and pulls well. The gearbox is quiet with good synchros. Rear axle is quiet. 

The hood and side screens were renewed in the sixties and are still serviceable. 

The bodywork has probably been painted at some time in the distant past and has lots of micro blisters and blemishes. 

These could be eliminated by refinishing or alternatively run the car ‘as is’ increasingly the custom now with time warp cars and let it proudly display its past life. 

An ideal ‘entry-level’ TF that can be driven, enjoyed and enhanced at the discretion of its next lucky owner. 

£17,995 to include free delivery in UK